Preparing to energise Swanbank Battery
20 Aug 2025
The substation has been built, the batteries are all in place, the lights are on, and its nearly time to switch on the Swanbank Battery Energy Storage System.
This week we have submitted our ‘practical completion’ to CleanCo, which means Yurika’s work is largely complete on this project and the site will now be prepared for energisation and connection to the electricity network later in 2025.
Once the home of a coal fired power station, the Swanbank B site is being reimagined with the installation of a 250MW/500MWh battery energy storage system. Yurika was engaged to provide the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) to complete the balance of plant system for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the high voltage substation (33kV to 275kV) and the dedicated connection asset yard for final connection to the 275kV Powerlink network.
Yurika Project Director, Rolf Collett says Yurika’s key role was to integrate the battery into the electricity grid.
“Delivering a project of this size and complexity is a big undertaking.
“We have had a committed and experienced team working at Swanbank to install the battery system, which includes all the supporting components and auxiliary systems required to deliver energy.
“We’ve also led the testing and commissioning of all plant and equipment, including the integration of the 138 Tesla Megapacks for Tesla’s commissioning works,” said Rolf.
CleanCo will check over the site and confirm the work completed is to standard. Yurika will then finalise the switchyard so Powerlink can undertake works required to connect the facility to the 275kV electricity network.
The $330 million project will help provide a more sustainable grid by helping balance the peaks and troughs that occur naturally with renewable energy generation. It will also help maintain grid stability by responding within milliseconds to broader energy market demands. The battery will be capable of storing enough energy to power the equivalent of more than two-thirds of Ipswich for two hours at peak demand times.
