The Braemar Energy Hub is proposed to comprise a battery energy storage system (BESS) and gas power generation infrastructure.
The proposed project site is located approximately 20km northwest of Dalby in the Western Downs Regional Council Local Government Area of Queensland. The site adjoins our existing Braemar Power Station.
Click here to view a map of the proposed project area.
Braemar Energy Hub is intended to be operational by 2031 with a lifespan exceeding 20 years for both the battery energy storage system and gas power generation.
A battery stores electricity so it can be used later. When there’s more energy being produced than people need the battery charges up by storing that extra power. The battery then releases its stored energy back into the grid when demand is high or supply is low. This helps keep the power system stable, reliable, and more affordable for everyone.
The Braemar Energy Hub project’s battery energy storage system will include battery modules and inverters, electrical connections, substation, water storage, office and control room, vegetated site screening, as well as fencing and lighting.
The batteries are kept in large shipping containers. The containers are designed to minimise visual impacts through using matte non-reflective finishes and being set back from roads. To minimise the impacts of lighting during the evenings, the site will only use movement and heat sensor lighting.
New gas power generation will be critical as Queensland’s coal-fired generation retires. Gas power generation can start within minutes and operate at a range of outputs to match demand. This makes it well suited to complement variable renewables such as wind and solar, and to provide longer-duration supply than batteries alone.
Gas power generation equipment similar to the adjacent Braemar Power Station incorporating: cooling pond, water tanks, office and control room, vegetated site screening, as well as fencing and lighting.
As a signatory to the Clean Energy Council’s Best Practice Charter, Alinta Energy is committed to working respectfully with nearby communities during project development, construction, operation, and end of life decommissioning, and takes community concerns with respect to the whole of life of the project seriously.
Decommissioning is something that must be factored into every energy development.
After cessation of operation, the gas power generation equipment, batteries and electrical equipment may be replaced, and the project repowered. If this is not feasible, the project will be decommissioned and the land returned to its original use. Where feasible, the parts will either be reused or recycled so the materials can be used again.
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To find out more about the project or provide feedback, please get in touch via powertoyou@alintaenergy.com.au or 0497 928 036.
We’ll complete a detailed Social Impact Assessment (SIA) to inform a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) with Western Downs Regional Council. We will seek community inputs into the Social Impact Assessment as part of our engagement efforts.
As the project progresses, we’ll set up communication and engagement channels including information sessions and newsletters. And you’re welcome to call or email at any time.
Under the updated Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) requirements in QLD, the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) process that we’ll follow, as required under Queensland State Government’s State Code 27: Battery Energy Storage System development (battery storage), will include detailed community consultation and the negotiation of a CBA with Western Downs Regional Council for the BESS component of the Braemar Energy Hub project.
The SIA evaluates five critical areas to ensure comprehensive analysis and planning, including:
Together, these elements provide a holistic framework for assessing and managing social impacts. Importantly, the Community Benefit Agreement process aims to ensure that community benefits are agreed upon between Alinta Energy and the Western Downs Regional Council prior to lodging a development application for the Braemar Energy Hub BESS component, and are informed by the SIA so that benefits are targeted towards the specific needs of the communities most likely to be affected by the proposed development.
A CBA is a legally binding agreement between a proponent and the relevant Local Government (which, for this project, is the Western Downs Regional Council), intended to ensure that development delivers tangible, place-based community benefits.
The gas power generation component of the hub does not have the same legislative requirement for the development process however Alinta Energy will ensure that social impact and community benefits are considered as part of the development process.
The proposed Braemar Energy Hub will help keep Queensland’s power supply reliable by storing energy and providing backup generation when it’s needed most. During construction and operation, the hub will create local jobs and open opportunities for local businesses and contractors.
The Braemar Energy Hub Project will create local jobs during construction and operation, support local businesses through procurement opportunities. The BESS component of the hub will also include a Community Benefit Agreement, informed by the Social Impact Assessment and negotiated with Western Downs Regional Council, to invest in community initiatives, ensuring the project brings long-term economic and social value to the region.
This is a requirement under Queensland State Government’s State Code 27: Battery Energy Storage System development (battery storage).
The project will need a variety of local contractors to support the construction and operations. If you want to express an interest for your business, please get in contact powertoyou@alintaenergy.com.au or 0497 928 036.
We’re in the process of speaking with close-by neighbours. If you live close to the project area and would like to find out more, please contact us via powertoyou@alintaenergy.com.au or 0497 928 036.
A development approval is required for any large-scale energy development in Queensland. Large scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) are assessed by the Queensland Government through the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
The gas power generation component of the project is assessed separately through the Western Down Regional Council’s planning pathway.
Environmental approval requirements are based on environmental constraints of the site.
The Planning (Battery Storage Facilities) and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2025 (Qld) effective from 12 December 2025, raises the assessment threshold for most battery energy storage systems from code assessable to impact assessable.
Impact assessment represents the highest level of scrutiny under Queensland's planning framework. This amendment means that battery energy storage system projects will:
Commonwealth approval requirements may apply to the project, for example, where there is likely to be a significant impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance.
Each project is different and will have different environmental considerations. A range of environmental studies are undertaken by independent experts to identify possible impacts. We use these studies to inform decisions about how to best design and construct the project.
Studies typically undertaken for an energy hub containing battery energy storage system and gas power generation equipment include:
The chance of a serious incident is extremely low. Even in the unlikely event of a fire, the site is designed to contain it and prevent it from spreading.
Due to the flat, vegetated landscape, the greater fire risk is more likely to come from offsite, such as a grassfire.
To reduce risk, the site includes a 40m buffer area around the facility – this helps reduce the risk of fire impacting the site and surrounding areas.
This buffer area will consist of two parts: an inner zone with no flammable material and an outer zone where flammable materials are kept to a minimum to reduce any potential risks. In addition, the Braemar Energy Hub will utilise the existing firefighting facilities already in place for the existing power station.
Fire safety is a top priority, and the project will include a range of advanced systems and plans to keep people safe. While the chance of a fire starting from the Braemar Energy Hub is extremely low, we must be well prepared just in case. The site will have a fire management plan and system, developed in consultation with local authorities, to minimise the risk of a fire.
Braemar Energy Hub acknowledges the Bigambul people of the land on which we propose this project. We acknowledge their continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
