Swanbank Battery Energy Storage System

The Swanbank Energy Precinct is a major energy transformation project located on a 336‑hectare site near Brisbane, with up to 1.2 GW of grid connection capacity. Building on more than 50 years of energy production at the site, CleanCo is transitioning Swanbank from its coal‑fired past into a future focused on sustainable, low‑emissions energy. The precinct brings together existing generation assets, new large‑scale battery storage, and future energy projects to support Queensland’s growing electricity demand. Insulect supported this transformation by supplying critical medium‑ and high‑voltage infrastructure to ensure reliability at scale.

Challenge

Transforming a long‑established energy site into a modern energy precinct required resilient, future‑ready electrical infrastructure. The project needed to support multiple voltage levels, large power flows, and a mix of operational assets, while maintaining high reliability and safety standards. With up to 1.2 GW of grid connection capacity and close proximity to Queensland’s largest demand centre, the precinct could not afford risks associated with unreliable switching, inadequate insulation, or poor visibility of power quality. The challenge was delivering equipment that could operate reliably under changing load conditions while supporting both current and future energy projects.

Solution

Insulect delivered a coordinated package of medium‑ and high‑voltage equipment tailored to the scale and complexity of the Swanbank Energy Precinct. This included 33 kV disconnectors and post insulators to support medium‑voltage distribution, along with 275 kV disconnectors and post insulators for high‑voltage transmission. To enhance network visibility and performance, Insulect also supplied power quality sensors and a 33 kV instrument voltage transformer, enabling accurate monitoring and protection across the network. By supplying compatible equipment across voltage levels, Insulect supported seamless integration into the precinct’s evolving electrical infrastructure.

Benefits

The supplied infrastructure enabled safe and dependable switching, strong mechanical and electrical insulation, and improved insight into power quality and system behaviour. This helped reduce operational risk while supporting flexible operation of both existing and new energy assets. The integrated approach simplified procurement and installation, reduced interfaces between suppliers, and provided CleanCo with confidence that the electrical backbone of the precinct could support long‑term expansion and changing energy demands.

Results

With Insulect’s high‑voltage equipment in place, the Swanbank Energy Precinct is positioned to operate reliably at scale while supporting Queensland’s transition to cleaner energy. The precinct now has a strong electrical foundation capable of accommodating new technologies, battery storage, and future low‑emissions generation. This project demonstrates Insulect’s ability to support complex, large‑scale energy transformations with dependable infrastructure solutions that deliver safety, reliability, and long‑term value.