Capricorn Battery Storage Project Under Ministerial Review

Queensland's Planning Minister, Jarrod Bleijie, has officially called in Potentia Energy's 300 megawatt (MW), four-hour Capricorn battery energy storage system (BESS) project. The project, located in Bouldercombe, Rockhampton region, is contracted to provide grid stability through the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme and was slated to begin construction later this year.

The decision to call in the project was made following requests from Rockhampton deputy mayor Drew Wickerson and local LNP member for Mirani, Glenn Kelly, who initially sent the project to Bleijie’s Ministerial call-in list in January.

"The call-in aims to ensure a strong and rigorous assessment of the development application and to address various community concerns."

Reasons for Ministerial Intervention

Minister Bleijie stated that the call-in allows for a comprehensive assessment of the project's potential social, economic, and environmental impacts that have not been fully assessed by the Council. The development application received 157 "properly made" public submissions, alongside 324 "representations" made regarding the proposed call-in.

Concerns outlined by Kelly included:

• A perceived lack of community engagement.
• Potential noise and light impacts from the battery.
• Environmental impacts, such as land and water contamination, with a potential to affect neighboring agricultural land and the Great Barrier Reef if contaminated runoff enters the Fitzroy Basin.

The minister acknowledged the project's potential benefits related to electricity storage and generation, but emphasized the necessity for a thorough review of all factors.

Broader Context and Previous Decisions

The Capricorn BESS is one of several renewable energy projects in Queensland that have been called in or proposed for call-in by Minister Bleijie. This list includes Iberdrola Australia’s Gin Gin battery, and two wind farms by Cubico Sustainable Investments: the 700 MW Marmadua Energy Park and the 1.32 gigawatt (GW) Middle Creek Energy Hub.

In May, Bleijie canceled the planning permit for the Moonlight Range wind project, citing "minimal and insufficient" community consultation, after issuing a similar call-in notice in January. The Queensland LNP government, which took office in late 2024, has also ended the state's renewable energy targets and committed to operating state-owned coal-fired generators until 2050 in some instances. Local LNP member Glenn Kelly was involved in encouraging the cancellation of the Moonlight Range project.

Developer's Response and Project Status

Prior to the call-in, a council assessment on December 9 had recommended approval of the Capricorn BESS development application with conditions. However, no decision was made, leading Potentia to appeal the Council’s "deemed refusal" in the Planning and Environment Court on December 10.

Potentia Energy, which submitted its application in February, stated it has engaged proactively with local government and the community. A company spokesperson indicated the $500 million project would create significant job opportunities, including up to 300 construction jobs and 10 high-paying ongoing positions, and offer over $3.5 million in community benefits.

Potentia expressed commitment to working constructively with the Deputy Premier, the Rockhampton Regional Council, and the local community throughout the assessment.

In 2020, the Rockhampton Regional Council approved a urea-ammonium nitrate liquid fertilizer manufacturing and storage facility approximately five minutes' drive from the proposed BESS site. Concurrently, the Queensland Crisafulli government announced the release of 18 new petroleum, gas, coal, and mineral exploration areas.