Belah battery energy storage system (BESS) project is a proposed large-scale grid battery in Queensland’s Western Downs region designed to supply dispatchable power to Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM). The project is planned at 400 MW/1,600 MWh capacity and will connect to the Orana substation via a new underground transmission line. Additionally, Belah has an expected operating life exceeding 20 years.

Construction is targeted for 2027, with operations projected for 2029. This also hinges on pending approvals and capital costs that are expected to run into hundreds of millions of dollars.

Eku Energy to Develop 400MW Belah Battery Energy Storage Project in Queensland, Australia

Reported October 31, 2025 – Eku Energy, in partnership with LP Renewables, has unveiled plans for the Belah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Queensland, Australia. The large-scale facility will feature a 400MW/1,600MWh capacity and will be located near Crossroads in the Western Downs region. This is approximately 19km south of Chinchilla and 22km west of Kogan.

Once operational, the Belah BESS will provide up to four hours of energy storage, enabling it to dispatch electricity during peak demand periods and enhance the stability of Queensland’s power grid.

Australia is going big in BESS projects as evidenced by the Synergy’s Collie BESS that is touted to be the largest of its kind in the country. This is alongside others like Supernode battery project in Brisbane, Queensland that has recently brought its stage 1 development into commercial operations, and Stanwell BESS that has also started operations.

Site Selection and Design

The project site covers approximately 7.5 hectares, representing less than 2% of the total host property. The location was also selected for its combination of environmental suitability and strategic proximity to existing infrastructure.

Key site advantages include:

• Cleared land with limited agricultural potential

• Flat terrain with minimal flooding risk

• Close proximity to the existing Orana Substation

• Located away from nearby residential properties

• Low visual impact due to surrounding vegetation and site topography

• Ideally positioned in an area already hosting solar, gas, and future wind generation assets

The project will connect to the Orana Substation via an underground high-voltage transmission line, ensuring a reliable and efficient energy link.

Belah BESS Location

The Belah BESS will be situated near Chinchilla, a rural town known as the “Melon Capital of Australia.” Chinchilla hosts the Melon Festival every two years, drawing thousands of visitors and celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage. The area’s existing renewable energy developments also make it a fitting location for this next-generation storage project.

Project Team

Developers

• Eku Energy

• LP Renewables Projects

Grid & Infrastructure

• Connection to Orana Substation

Regulatory and Planning

• Dept. of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for EPBC process

Project Factsheet for Belah Battery Energy Storage Project

Project Name: Belah Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

Developers: Eku Energy and LP Renewables

Location: Crossroads, Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia

Nearest Towns: 19km south of Chinchilla, 22km west of Kogan

Storage Capacity: 400MW/1,600MWh

Duration: 4-hour energy storage

Land Area: Approximately 7.5 hectares

Grid Connection: Underground transmission line to Orana Substation

Key Features:

• Grid stabilization and peak demand support

• Environmentally considerate site selection

• Integration with existing renewable energy infrastructure
  Status: Under development