Cooroy BESS
Enervest is an Australian-owned and operated company and are proposing a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Cooroy, Queensland.
Once operational, the Cooroy BESS will provide the network with a battery storage capacity of up to 200 Megawatt-hours, ensuring a reliable electricity supply by storing excess energy from the grid during periods of low demand and discharging this stored energy during times of peak demand.
This large-scale battery will play a crucial role in integrating both traditional and renewable energy sources to the grid. This will enhance the community’s energy resilience and contribute to the country’s clean energy targets, whilst also sharing the project benefits with the local community.
Project Overview
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The proposed Cooroy BESS site is located at Cooroy Mountain Road, Cooroy, Queensland and will connect to the existing Energex substation, located off Nandroya Road, Cooroy.
The site was carefully selected following a thorough assessment and evaluation of a range of factors to ensure the site effectively meets technical, environmental and community needs.
The proposed development will occupy a relatively compact footprint and will be set back from the site boundary on Cooroy Mountain Road, minimising visual impact to surrounding areas and the local community.
Over the coming months, we will be engaging with key stakeholders, Traditional Owners and the local community as we pursue a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) and conduct technical investigations to progress the development.
Your feedback will be important in shaping the project and we are dedicated to working with the local community and key stakeholders to develop meaningful community benefits that directly enhance the community’s well-being, sustainability and resilience.
We will continue to keep the community and stakeholders up to date with the project as it progresses, including opportunities to discuss the proposed project in person.
Download Project Factsheet PDF
Project details
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[ 01 ]PROJECT NAMECooroy BESS[ 02 ]LOCATIONNoosa Shire Council[ 03 ]ESTIMATED CAPACITY100MW/200MWh[ 04 ]PROJECT AREAApproximately 3 hectares[ 05 ]PLANNING STATUSCommunity engagement, planning and approvals
Project benefits
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Reliable energy supply: The Cooroy BESS will support a more stable and reliable power supply, reducing the risk of outages and maintaining electricity during peak demand times or storing excess energy during low consumption.
Contributes to a sustainable future: By storing and using power from all generation sources including renewables (solar, wind, hydro), the Cooroy BESS will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, leading to enhanced network stability and a healthier environment.
Economic benefits: Enervest are dedicated to local spend and job creation. Where possible, we aim to prioritise local suppliers and contractors, ensuring that a significant portion of our project’s budget is spent within the community. An estimate for this project is that it will create approximately 80 jobs at the peak of construction, plus ongoing roles which will be required for monitoring and maintenance of the plant.
Local community benefits: Enervest are dedicated to working with the local community and key stakeholders to develop meaningful community benefits that directly enhance the community’s well-being, sustainability and resilience.
Local partnerships: Through fostering open and inclusive partnerships, Enervest aims to implement initiatives that address local needs and build long-term positive relationships within the community.
Community engagement
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Enervest values engaging, supporting and investing in its local communities.
Enervest is committed to engaging with stakeholders and the local community as we pursue a MID and conduct technical investigations to progress the development.
To date, we have commenced engagement with key stakeholders and neighbouring property owners as we prepare our preliminary planning reports.
Over the coming months, we will undertake engagement activities with the local community, including community information sessions to introduce the project and gather feedback.
Stay informed by registering for project updates to receive the latest project information and updates on engagement activities, by completing the Get In Touch form below.
Key milestones during the MID process include:
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- Frequently Asked Questions – Cooroy BESS
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Where will the BESS be located, and what is its capacity?
The proposed Cooroy BESS will be located on Cooroy Mountain Road, Cooroy, Queensland. Enervest acknowledge the Kabi Kabi people as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of the land.
The BESS is sized at 100MW / 200MWh.
Why has the land been selected for the Cooroy BESS?The site was selected following in-depth assessment and evaluation of a range of factors to ensure the site meets technical, environmental, and community needs effectively.
The proposed development will occupy a relatively compact footprint and will be set back from the site boundary on Cooroy Mountain Road, minimising visual impacts to surrounding areas and the local community. The site boarders an existing substation which enables the BESS to be connected to the Queensland electricity grid with minimal environmental disturbance.
Enervest are of the view that this site has great potential when assessing these considerations.
What is a BESS? / How does a BESS work?A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a utility scale Battery that stores electrical energy (i.e from excess wind/solar or traditional power sources) for use at a later time. It helps balance supply and demand on the power grid by distributing the stored energy when it’s needed most, most commonly this is during the evening peak demand period. This improves grid stability and reliability by providing a flexible and responsive energy resource.
As coal plants close, the grid needs fast dispatchable energy to help balance generation and load. BESS is one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to do this.
A BESS system comprises of BESS containers and also other components like inverters for converting energy and switchgear & substations for distributing the power to the network. There will also be ancillary equipment constructed to support the project such as control systems for managing storage and distribution, and fire safety features to ensure efficient and reliable operation.
Who owns the BESS? / Who is Enervest?Enervest is an Australian-owned and operated company specialising in energy storage projects. Enervest was founded in 2008 and provides engineering and operational services for Australia’s decarbonisation journey. Enervest has a national presence, working alongside local communities and industry partners to develop projects that provide an overall positive impact on both the environment and the community.
What will the Cooroy BESS look like?A BESS typically contains groups of battery modules housed in containers or enclosures. These modules are connected to power conversion systems (inverters) and control equipment, ensuring efficient energy storage and management. BESS facilities are modular and can be configured based on specific site and capacity requirements. During the project planning phase, considerations will be made for visual impact mitigation, including the potential use of screening methods such as landscaping or artificial barrier to blend the facility with its surroundings and reduce its visual footprint (if required).
Since Batteries have a much smaller footprint than transmission lines and large scale solar and wind farms screening is easier.
How tall will the on-site structures be?Typically, the BESS units are housed in shipping containers that are approximately 3-3.5m high. The switchgear buildings and the main transformers are around 6m and 7m high respectively.
What is a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID)?MID’s facilitate the delivery of certain community supporting infrastructure and provides an alternative process to lodging a development application with the relevant planning authority. The process includes input from the relevant planning authority and surrounding community and considers the range of potential impacts that might arise such as traffic, environment, community and amenity impacts.
Where is the project in its planning phase?Enervest are currently preparing to lodge a MID application in late 2024 which includes preliminary engagement with key stakeholders.
Once the MID application is lodged, a formal public notification period will commence with key stakeholders and the local community.
Enervest are encouraging the local community to get involved in the Project through the planning process and are committed to engaging with the community as the project progresses.
How can I have a say?Please contact Enervest via cooroy@enervest.com.au or use the ‘Get in Touch’ form below to register for project updates. Further information on how you can make a formal submission will be made available once our MID application is in the public notification period.
What long-term planning considerations have been included?The MID application is accompanied by a range of additional supporting materials and technical assessments including:
- Biodiversity
- Cultural heritage
- Noise and vibration
- Traffic impact assessment
- Ground/surface water and flood risk
- Waste management
- Community and stakeholder engagement
How will our community benefit?The Cooroy BESS will benefit the local community by enhancing grid stability, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting renewable energy integration, which can lead to lower electricity costs, improved energy reliability, and reduced environmental impact, fostering a cleaner and more resilient energy infrastructure.
As well as the above, employment opportunities will be available with a range of skills required such as civil construction, landscaping, labour hire, surveying, quarries, steel fabricators, general contractors, lighting and electrical contractors, crane operators, security contractors, hydrological consulting, traffic management, geotechnical contractors, construction site / HSE equipment installers, and more.
We will be developing a Community Benefits Program in consultation with local Council and the community over the coming months.
We invite you to get involved and share your ideas on how the Project can contribute to benefits for your community. Please contact Enervest via cooroy@enervest.com.au or use the ‘Get in Touch’ form below.
How will you work with First Nations groups?Enervest has started early engagement with the Kabi Kabi People with a site walk in early 2024 completed to identify areas of cultural significance.
Enervest always seeks to protect and conserve Aboriginal cultural heritage when delivering projects. The Project teams engage with the Traditional Owners early, planning to work together to deliver projects with mutual benefits.
How can local businesses or individuals get involved?Please contact Enervest via cooroy@enervest.com.au to register your interest or use the ‘Business or Organisation’ form below.
How can I find out more or register for updates on the project?Please contact the cooroy@enervest.com.au email address for specific queries or to subscribe to project updates, use the ‘Get in Touch’ form below.
How long will construction last?Construction is anticipated to take up to 12 months to complete, weather and site conditions permitting. We will keep the community updated as the project progresses in the lead up to and during construction.
What impacts are anticipated during construction?During construction, nearby residents and businesses may experience increased vehicle movements in the area, noise and dust from heavy machinery and minor vibrations.
- Changed traffic conditions: Changed traffic conditions will be in place during construction, with the use of traffic control to manage the flow of traffic, ensure pedestrian safety and maintain local access. Please take care and observe all signposting, speed limits and any directions given by Traffic Controllers.
- Noise: There will be increased levels of noise generated by heavy machinery and increased vehicle movements during construction. Enervest will put in place measures to limit the impact on local residents as much as possible. This may include scheduling works so that noisier activities occur at times when they will have the least impact.
How much noise will be generated during construction and operation?Construction noise levels will be kept in line with relevant legislation, with noise generating activities scheduled to occur during the day and within approved working hours. Operational BESS facilities have the potential to generate noise associated with the cooling fans required to regulate the operating temperature of individual battery cells. Once operating, the BESS will be required to meet strict noise requirements and comply with the relevant environmental noise standards and/or guidelines.
How much traffic will the BESS generate during Construction and Operation?During construction it is expected that there will be a peak of up to 25 people on site at any one time with associated traffic, excluding deliveries. During operation, the facility will be operated remotely and will only require maintenance staff to visit the site on a weekly basis for the first six months of operations and then quarterly thereafter for one to three days at a time.
How long will the BESS operate?It is expected that the BESS facility will operate for at least 40 years and, depending on the selected technology components, may be replaced and/or upgraded to extend this timeframe.
How will you manage bushfire risks during BESS operation?The safety of our workers and the broader community will always be our priority. We will work with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to ensure site design and preparedness meet community and QFES expectations.
The design and installation of the battery system will be undertaken in accordance with relevant Australian Standards, fire safety and emergency services guidelines and will be operated in accordance with the manufacturers requirements. A site operational management plan will be prepared by the service provider detailing information regarding procedures to be implemented in the event of a fire
To mitigate potential fire risk from batteries the following steps are undertaken:
- The BESS has protection to avoid overcurrent or any electrical faults that can cause fire
- the plant facility will have a 24/7 Battery Management System (BMS) to monitor any change in battery cell temperature, gas or humidity and to detect smoke or fire within the battery infrastructure
- water tanks, water pipeline systems, and fire extinguishing tools will be installed on-site
- inclusion of an asset protection zone (APZ) around the BESS
- consultation of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
What is the battery recycling and decommissioning plan?Following the end of their economic life, above ground components would be removed and re-purposed where possible, and the land rehabilitated and recontoured, if and as required. Battery recycling and decommissioning involves safely extracting reusable materials from spent batteries, minimising environmental impact, and disposing of hazardous components responsibly, often through specialised recycling facilities or programs.
A BESS is typically comprised of groups of battery modules housed in containers and connected to power conversion systems and control equipment. Typically, BESS units are housed in shipping containers up to 3.5 metres high, with connected switchgear buildings and main transformers measuring up to 7 metres.
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Analysis and Planning
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Development Approval
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Connection approval
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Implement construction
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Inspect and Operate
- Development commencement
- 09/01/23
- Expected completion
- 09/09/24
- Stage description
Preliminary site investigations, report preparation and community stakeholder engagement.
- Development commencement
- 10/09/24
- Expected completion
- 12/03/25
- Stage description
Continued community & stakeholder engagement, lodgement of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application and Decision of the Minister.
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- Expected completion
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Enervest has been an Australian owned and operated leader in the Australian renewable energy industry since 2008. Enervest specialises in the design, construction and operation of energy generation and storage assets, and is capitalising on its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) proficiency, extensive industry experience, and market acumen to develop a comprehensive portfolio of BESS assets across all regions within the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Enervest’s approach to governance, due diligence and professionalism coupled with a combined 30 years of history in design, installation and maintenance of renewable energy projects, position Enervest uniquely to continue to lead the industry during the biggest energy transition since the early last century.
Your input is crucial in shaping the development. We are committed to transparent communication and engaging with all stakeholders to address any questions or suggestions.
If you would like to register for project updates, get in touch with a member of the project team or register your business with us please submit your details below:
Reach out today with any questions about this, or any other, Enervest project.
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