Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners (“Quinbrook”), a specialist global investment manager focused exclusively on the infrastructure needed for the energy transition, has announced a further expansion of its large-scale Supernode battery storage project with contracts signed for Stage 3 offtake with Stanwell Corporation.
The Stage 3 expansion adds a further 250MW/4hr Battery Energy Storage System (‘BESS’) taking the total installed capacity to 750MW and 2,540 GWh, believed to be one of the largest to date in Australia’s National Electricity Market. The contract is subject to conditions precedent, including Quinbrook reaching financial close for the proposed project by 30 September 2025.
Stanwell’s contract for Supernode Stage 3 represents the complete ‘sell out’ of our current plans for large scale battery storage at the highly strategic South Pine site. Construction for Stages 1 and 2 has already commenced in preparation for delivery of both of those initial stages under our previously announced offtake partnership with Origin Energy. Construction of Stage 3 will now head into accelerated planning, taking our total investment in Supernode to over $1.4 billion. Stanwell and Origin’s long-term contracts for Supernode reinforce how strategically valuable the South Pine location is within the Queensland power system. It’s hard to imagine a more ideal location for storage in the sunshine state and Stanwell’s involvement speaks volumes to that. I also compliment our exceptional Quinbrook and PEP teams who together represent the very best talent imaginable in identifying and developing unique projects for our investors that are ‘true to label’ infrastructure investments which is the exception rather than the rule in battery storage.
David Scaysbrook, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Quinbrook
Brian Restall, Quinbrook’s Managing Director and Regional Leader, Australia, said: “We are pleased to partner with Stanwell on the third stage of this important battery project, recognised by many in the industry as Queensland’s best site for a big battery. We are delighted to have now contracted all 3 stages of Supernode well ahead of our own internal schedule. Supernode will provide a significant economic boost to the Moreton Bay region, creating jobs and supporting many local businesses in the shire. Today’s announcement is proof that Queensland is still open for business and further repays the trust and confidence that Moreton Bay Regional Council showed in Quinbrook and our Supernode concept from the very beginning”.
“We are pleased to be delivering such a significant new infrastructure project supporting Queensland’s demand for clean energy to support the ‘green superpower’ opportunities in the Sunshine State,” he said.
Stanwell’s CEO Michael O’Rourke said he was delighted to be working with the private sector to boost Stanwell’s ability to provide firmed renewable energy to commercial and industrial retail customers who are looking to decarbonise their operations.
“Battery projects like Supernode enable us to harvest the energy from solar in the middle of the day, and store it for use in the evenings, when demand is highest,” Mr O’Rourke said. “The proposed Stage 3 of Supernode will do just that whilst also creating further employment opportunities from the overall site expansion. It’s projects like this that will enable Stanwell to continue to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Queensland and the National Electricity Market.”
Quinbrook will also engage with Stanwell regarding the potential involvement of Stanwell’s Asset Maintenance Company (SAMCo) to provide operations and maintenance services for the project.
Quinbrook
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners is a specialist investment manager focused exclusively on the infrastructure needed to drive the energy transition in the UK, US, and Australia. Quinbrook is led and managed by a senior team of power industry professionals who have collectively invested c. USD 6.9 billion of equity capital in 40 GW of energy infrastructure assets representing a total transaction value of USD 29.8 billion. Quinbrook has completed a diverse range of direct investments in both utility and distributed scale onshore wind and solar power, battery storage, reserve peaking capacity, biomass, fugitive methane recovery, hydro and flexible energy management solutions in the UK, US, and Australia. Quinbrook is currently developing and constructing some of the largest renewables and storage infrastructure projects in the UK, US, and Australia.
