The Central BESS Project will be located in Bouldercombe in Queensland’s Rockhampton Region. The Project will deliver 500 MW of battery storage and connect directly to the existing Bouldercombe Substation, reducing the need for significant new connection infrastructure. In addition to creating local investment opportunities, the Project will help strengthen the electricity network, place downward pressure on energy prices, and support a reliable energy future for the state.
The Central BESS was approved by the Planning and Environment Court in October 2025, with conditions that reflect community feedback and ensure the highest standards of safety, environmental management and visual integration.
Project Update – Increased capacity and Community Benefits (September 2026)
In June 2026, Rockhampton Regional Council approved a change to the 500 MW Central BESS Project, increasing its storage capacity from 1,000 MWh to 2,000 MWh. The change does not materially alter the Project’s footprint, visual presence, other assessed impacts. It also does not change the approved 24-year Project life.
Why increase the storage capacity?
The Project will be able to store more energy when it is available and supply more electricity to the grid when it is needed most. Advances in battery technology mean modern systems can store more energy in the same amount of space. This allows the Project to increase its storage duration without materially changing its footprint.
What’s changing
Key changes include:
- Increasing the Project’s storage duration from two hours (1,000 MWh) to four hours (2,000 MWh)
- Minor increase in the total number of BESS containers (from 352 to 360) and power conversion units, known as Medium Voltage Power Stations (from 176 to 180)
- Increased funding for the Project’s Community Benefit Fund, Neighbour Benefit Program and Flexible Support Fund
What isn’t changing
There are no significant changes to the Project’s physical footprint or key assessed impacts. In particular:
- The approved Project life, operating hours, and 500 MW output capacity remain unchanged
- No additional land disturbance or expansion of the site footprint is required
- Battery units will remain similar in scale and appearance, with no material change to visual impacts
- The updated noise impact assessment concludes that noise levels remain consistent with the approved Project and will continue to meet applicable standards
- Traffic, construction, operational and other assessed impacts remain consistent with the approved Project
- All environmental and planning conditions attached to the original approval will continue to apply.
Greater benefits for the community
It is important that the approved change also creates additional value for the local community. We have increased the Project’s Benefit Sharing Program, delivering more support for Project neighbours, the Bouldercombe community and First Nations groups.
