Wide Bay is about to take a step up in Queensland's renewable energy revolution.
Installation is nearing completion on a new grid-connected battery near Bundaberg.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the Tesla battery installation would help residents around Bargara and Bundaberg get the most out of their solar panels.
"Queensland has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar installation in the world, and there are times on sunny days when generation far outstrips demand," the Treasurer said.
"Batteries like this one being installed near Bargara allow us to store that excess energy for use in the evening.
"Bargara is one of five sites chosen across the state in a network-connected battery trial being run by Energy Queensland, along with Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Townsville and Yeppoon.
"In total, these network-connected batteries will collectively store up to 40MWh, enough energy to power 2400 households.
"The battery, transformer and cables are now all in their final positions in Bargara, with full energisation of the site expected in June," he said.
"Around 18 Energy Queensland staff have helped bring this project to life, but the real sweetener is for the thousands of local residents and businesses around Bargara who stand to benefit from more cheap solar power."
Bargara and the other battery sites were chosen due to their proximity to existing infrastructure, ensuring lower project costs, faster deployment, and ease of connection to the network.
Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said the Bargara battery would place the local community firmly at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution.
"The Bargara battery will store excess low-cost solar power produced in the middle of the day before supplying it back to the local community during peak consumption in the evening," Mr Smith said.
"The energy stored in this system is enough to run 478 average homes for one day, which is great news for the local area.
"Distribution-connected batteries will be critical to enabling Queensland's renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030.
"By basing the batteries in the community, it means renewable energy will be generated locally, stored locally, and then used locally, avoiding network energy losses."
Yurika, part of Energy Queensland, has led the construction for all five network-connected batteries.
Energy Queensland Executive General Manager (Customer) Michael Dart said the company is proud to be delivering the Bargara battery system in such a short timeframe.
"This is an excellent result for Bargara and the surrounding communities, as they will get access to this network-connected battery very soon," Mr Dart said.
"The experience Energy Queensland gained from our two previous network-connected battery projects in Townsville has been invaluable as it has meant a very short delivery timeframe for this project here at Bargara."
