Energy group Acen Australia has formally submitted an environmental approval request to the Australian federal government for its proposed Lilyvale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), with a planned capacity of 440MW/1,760MWh. The project was filed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), marking a new phase in the expansion of energy storage infrastructure in the state of Queensland.
Planned infrastructure and grid connection
The system will be built on a 151.52-hectare rural property in the Central Highlands, approximately 52 kilometres northeast of Emerald. The actual project footprint will cover around 21.15 hectares. The BESS will be constructed directly adjacent to the Lilyvale Substation, enabling rapid connection to the National Electricity Market (NEM), which spans Australia’s eastern and southern coasts, as well as Tasmania.
The installation will consist of 512 lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery containers, 128 inverters, and 128 medium-voltage power stations. Additional electrical infrastructure, including main transformers, high-voltage substations, and harmonic filters, will be integrated along with administration, operations, and maintenance facilities.
Strategic proximity to energy and mining assets
The site is located 3.7 kilometres northwest of the Lilyvale Solar Farm, commissioned in 2019 with a capacity of 126.2MW. It is also situated in direct proximity to major mining operations, including the Bowen Basin coalfields and the Gregory/Crinum mines, as well as the Oaky Creek North and Aquila Mine sites.
This positioning allows Acen Australia to leverage existing infrastructure and minimise the need for additional transmission lines. The approach aims to optimise costs and reduce grid connection timelines.
Regional storage context and pipeline
The Lilyvale BESS adds to a growing number of large-scale storage initiatives under development in Queensland. In April 2024, the state government confirmed that construction would soon begin on Quinbrook’s ‘Supernode’ project in Brendale (250MW/500MWh). Neoen has commissioned the first 270MW/540MWh phase of its Western Downs battery, while Akaysha Energy expects its 150MW/300MWh Ulinda Park BESS to become operational in Q3 2025.
In addition, publicly owned Stanwell Corporation Limited has begun construction of a 1,200MWh BESS adjacent to its coal-fired Stanwell Power Station.
Acen’s national funding and portfolio
Earlier this year, Acen Australia secured AUD750mn ($490mn) in debt financing to support the rollout of its national renewable energy and storage portfolio, estimated at 13GW. The financing will also support completion of the 400MW Stubbo solar project and the 720MW New England solar PV plant in New South Wales, the first phase of which has been operational since March 2023.
