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ACCIONA Energía’s Karara Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project is a significant extension under the MacIntyre Wind Precinct. The Karara BESS is located approximately 50km west of Warwick, 12km south of Karara in Queensland, in the Goondiwindi local government area.
The project is designed to have a capacity of 400MW/2 hr storage duration (800MWh).
Incorporating a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility within the MacIntyre Wind Precinct will offer many benefits to the region and the network. The aim for developing the BESS was to efficiently store excess energy generated by the MacIntyre Wind Farm and the planned Herries Range and Karara Wind Farms.
Project Location
The site for the Karara BESS has been strategically selected as it is directly adjacent to Powerlink’s existing MacIntyre Intermediation Switching Station (MISS) and overhead transmission line. This will enable an optimal and efficient point of interconnection and minimise the need for additional transmission line cabling or transmission towers. Additionally, the proposed BESS has been designed to occupy existing cleared areas. By locating the BESS in an area with existing similar infrastructure and limited vegetation, we minimise environmental impacts and preserve surrounding amenity. The BESS site is on the same land parcel as the approved but not constructed Karara Wind Farm.
With the BESS requiring a smaller footprint and no moving parts, the facility’s location has been carefully selected and designed to minimise environmental impacts and preserve surrounding amenity. The development has progressed to focus on including a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) through battery technology, in addition to the originally planned Karara Wind Farm. Currently, the project is in the development stage with construction proposed to commence in early 2026.
The function of the Karara BESS is to receive and store electricity during periods of low energy demand or oversupply and export back to the grid during periods of high demand. For more information about how a BESS works, you can download our factsheet.
If you have any questions, please use the ‘Ask a question’ tab below. If you have any feedback, concerns or would like to make a complaint, please get in touch with us at macintyreprecinct@acciona.com or by calling 1800 283 550.
