Yabulu BESS Connection Project

Overview 

The Yabulu BESS Connection Project will connect Gentari’s Yabulu Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to Powerlink’s transmission network via our existing Yabulu South Substation near Townsville.  

The project will include:  

• a new bay in the existing 132kV Yabulu South Substation   
• a new 132kV single-circuit overhead transmission line, about 800m long, between the new bay at Yabulu South Substation and the Yabulu BESS boundary. 

For more information, please visit Gentari's website. 

POWERLINK’S ROLE 

Powerlink owns, develops, operates and maintains the high voltage electricity transmission network in Queensland. We also provide electricity transmission services, including connecting large electricity generators (such as wind and solar farms, gas, battery storage and others), to the transmission network.  

Status  

Construction works started in June 2026, with site mobilisation and bulk earthworks now complete.     

The remaining works are expected to be completed by early 2027 (weather dependent) with testing and commissioning scheduled for mid-2027.  

Work crews will be on-site between 6am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, with work also occurring on alternating weekends.  

Various machinery will be used on-site including cranes, concrete trucks, drill rigs and small excavators.  

We will work to minimise impacts to neighouring properties wherever possible and will keep project stakeholders updated on works and timings as the project progresses.  

A Community Notice with further information about what to expect during the project is available under the ‘Resources’ tab on this webpage.