Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has announced plans to double the grid-connection capacity of its Supernode battery project in Queensland, Australia, following an expansion of its off-take agreement with domestic electricity retailer Origin Energy.
According to a statement released on Friday, Quinbrook has secured a long-term off-take contract for the entire 250 MW second phase of the Supernode project, which will provide four hours of storage capacity. Origin Energy had previously contracted the initial 250 MW, two-hour first phase in April.
The Supernode battery forms part of a AUD 2.5 billion (USD 1.7 billion / EUR 1.56 billion) initiative aimed at establishing a large data storage complex powered by renewable energy near Brisbane. Located at Brendale, within the City of Moreton Bay, the battery will not only support the data centre's operations but also provide dispatchable power to bolster additional renewables capacity on the grid. Initial plans, announced in summer 2022, position the battery units near the South Pine substation at Brendale.
Greg Jarvis, Origin's head of energy supply and operations, emphasized the significance of the Supernode off-take agreement, stating, “The Supernode offtake will be an important addition to our growing storage portfolio, reflecting our commitment to enhancing the reliability and security of energy supply for customers amidst a transitioning energy landscape.”
Highlighting the strategic advantages of the location, Quinbrook highlighted that the site is non-flood prone and strategically situated near the South Pine central node, minimizing marginal loss factor and curtailment risks.
