Quinbrook Signs Significant Expansion of ‘Supernode’ Battery Storage Project with Origin Energy

• Stage 2 expansion adds 250MW/4 hour duration BESS under long term contract
• Increases Quinbrook’s partnership with Origin Energy to 1500MWhs of BESS capacity across stages 1 and 2
• Represents a total investment for Quinbrook of over $845 million

Brisbane, Queensland – 11 July 2024 – Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners (“Quinbrook”), a specialist global investment manager focused exclusively on the infrastructure needed for the energy transition, today announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Origin Energy with contracts signed for Stage 2 of the ‘Supernode’ battery storage project. The expansion features a 250MW/4hr Battery Energy Storage System (‘BESS’) which is double the MWh size of the Stage 1 BESS project recently announced.

Origin Energy (Origin) has significantly expanded its commitment to Supernode with exclusivity for the full capacity of Stage 2 secured under a long-term offtake contract with Quinbrook.

Supernode Stage 2 expansion comes right on the heels of our recent announcement of the construction start for Stage 1 and of our long-term offtake partnership with Origin. Moreover, with a 4-hour duration now configured for Stage 2, this represents yet another significant milestone for Quinbrook and for Queensland’s energy transition. Origin’s commitment to both Stages 1 and 2 speaks volumes to how strategically located the Supernode site is within the Queensland power system. The South Pine switchyard is the central node of the electricity network in Queensland, with an estimated 80% of Queensland’s traded electricity flowing through here every day. It’s hard to imagine a more ideal location for storage in the sunshine state.

David Scaysbrook
Co-founder and Managing Partner of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners

Brian Restall, Managing Director and Regional Leader, Australia of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, said: “We are thrilled to launch Supernode’s second stage so quickly, enabled by securing another long-term offtake commitment from Origin, Australia’s largest electricity retailer.”

The Quinbrook-owned Supernode site is the last non-flood prone land adjacent to the South Pine central node.​ This proximity helps mitigate marginal loss factor and curtailment risk, offering competitive advantages for Supernode BESS operations.

“This is recognized by many in the industry as Queensland’s best site for a big battery, and we are pleased to be partnering with Origin in delivering several innovations in how we are integrating the key elements of this important storage project,” he said.

Greg Jarvis, Origin’s head of energy supply and operations said, “Origin is pleased to be working with Quinbrook having secured the exclusive offtake from stage 1 and 2 of the Supernode battery. The Supernode offtake will be an important addition to our growing storage portfolio, and reflects our belief that storage will play an important role in helping firm variable renewable energy supply and maintaining secure, reliable energy supply for customers.”

About 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 5.6 billion of equity capital in 43.3 GW of energy infrastructure assets representing a total transaction value of USD 48.3 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. www.quinbrook.com

Media Contact:

Natasha Moldrich

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