Image credit: Akaysha Energy

Akaysha Energy, a leading developer of large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), has announced that its Ulinda Park BESS Phase 1 is now operational and trading in the National Electricity Market (NEM). The facility provides both energy and Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) to support grid reliability and renewable energy integration in Queensland.

The 155 MW / 298 MWh battery connects at Powerlink’s Western Downs 275 kV Terminal Station near Hopeland/Chinchilla. Leveraging existing transmission infrastructure, Ulinda Park helps firm local solar and wind generation, reduces curtailment, and provides fast frequency response to mitigate price spikes during peak demand.

The project’s revenue is backed by a 10-year battery revenue swap with Re2, a climate risk transfer platform, allowing Akaysha Energy to balance contracted and merchant exposure while optimizing bids across energy and FCAS markets.

Ulinda Park provides multiple benefits:

• Grid stability: millisecond-fast response improves system reliability as more renewables come online.

• Price moderation: shifts low-cost daytime energy into evening peaks, reducing volatility.

• Community impact: dozens of construction jobs and ongoing skilled operational roles.

• Homes powered: stores enough energy to power roughly 400,000 homes for one hour at peak demand.

Nick Carter, CEO of Akaysha Energy, said the project “turns the Western Downs into a major storage hub, delivering a steadier grid and new tools for managing energy costs.”

Phase 2, Ulinda Park Expansion, will add approximately 195 MW / 780 MWh, bringing total capacity to about 350 MW / 1,078 MWh and further strengthening Queensland’s renewable energy network.

Source: akayshaenergy.com