Work starts on Australia-first battery factory after Treasury investment
CONSTRUCTION of Australia’s first grid-scale battery manufacturing plant has been accelerated following a combined investment by the Miles Government and a British investment firm.
The site of the Energy Storage Industries – Asia Pacific (ESI) $70 million manufacturing facility in Maryborough, in the Fraser Coast region, is being cleared and graded and foundations will be laid in coming weeks.
The ramp-up of construction follows a $25 million investment by the Queensland Government, and a separate $40 million investment by the international firm in ESI.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said: “By partnering with local industry and attracting private capital, Queensland is well-placed to seize the incredible opportunities presented by the world’s decarbonisation. Our investment in ESI is part of our commitment to firmly establish a new battery manufacturing industry right here in Queensland.
“Through investments like this we meet our own future clean energy storage needs and take advantage of the massive export opportunities. Most importantly, this investment supports new technology and manufacturing jobs, creating more than 270 highly skilled jobs in regional Queensland.”
ESI is a Queensland-based, Australian-owned manufacturer of proven grid-scale battery technology that solves a key problem in the energy transition – how to provide renewable energy overnight.
Iron flow batteries store large-scale solar and wind power and provide that electricity for up to 14 hours to power stations, energy retailers and commercial and industrial customers when renewable energy is not being generated – for example, during the night.
They are non-flammable, non-toxic, entirely recyclable and suitable for use in sensitive landscapes such as national parks and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as residential areas.
ESI Managing Director Stuart Parry said ESI’s manufacture, installation and maintenance activities are expected to contribute more than $9.2 billion to Queensland’s economy and create 500 jobs over the next 20 years.
“ESI is a Queensland-based, Australian-owned manufacturer of proven grid-scale battery technology that solves a key problem in the energy transition – how to provide renewable grid-scale energy overnight,” Mr Parry said. “Thanks to this far-sighted support from Treasury and private investors, the first production of Queensland-made grid-scale batteries will take place by the end of 2025.”
“ESI is targeting the delivery of 400 megawatts (MW) of energy storage annually from 2029 – enough to power a city the size of Toowoomba each year. Importantly, key battery components will be sourced from throughout Queensland, supporting businesses and creating skilled jobs in local communities.”