Tully BESS

The proposal

RWE Renewables Australia is proposing a standalone, lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Tully in Far North Queensland, about 140 kilometres south of Cairns and 50 kilometres from Innisfail.

The proposed project footprint is about nine hectares and is adjacent to Powerlink’s Tully Substation. The project is expected to have a 200+MW capacity – enough to power about 15,000 homes for four hours – and is the largest standalone BESS currently proposed for Far North Queensland.

The Tully Substation is a key node supplying power to North and Far North Queensland. The Tully BESS would be a key piece of infrastructure in supporting energy storage development in regional Australia and would help make supply more secure for households and businesses.

We are in the early stages of development, with initial planning and environmental studies now complete and ongoing stakeholder and community engagement underway. We are committed to delivering local economic and employment benefits for the Tully community and the broader Far North Queensland region.

Project location

Map showing the project investigation area, transmission lines, and nearby locations including Jarra Creek, Tully, and Walter Hill.

Click on the image to zoom

Project status: Development Application (DA) submitted to Cassowary Coast Regional Council September 2025. Preparing new DA to meet Queensland planning law changes that came into effect on Friday, 12 December 2025.

Operation: Targeting late 2028 for initial operations

Construction and operation of the project would involve the following key components:

BESS Infrastructure

BESS containers;
Inverters;
Medium Voltage (MV) transformers;
Cooling systems (as required);
Switchroom;
Substation.

General Site Infrastructure

Switchyard;
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) buildings;
Site office and associated amenities (bathroom facilities, lunch/break room, and first-aid room);
Storage sheds;
Cabling;
Fencing; and
Staff carpark.

Facts & figures

00 MW

battery storage

Power about 00

homes for 4 hours

Around 00 ha

development footprint

About 00 full-time

jobs during construction

Up to 00

month construction period

Targeting 00

for initial operations

Project benefits

The proposed Tully BESS aims to improve the reliability and security of the electricity network by storing energy during periods of low demand, and dispatching energy during periods of peak demand and emergency events. The BESS would be a key piece of infrastructure in supporting energy storage development in regional Australia and would subsequently assist in reducing emissions by improving national resilience in energy supply and supporting affordable energy for Australian homes.

The project would also create job opportunities, with an estimated 60 full-time equivalent jobs during the up to 18-month construction period and up to three ongoing positions during operations.

An infographic illustrating energy storage. It shows power surplus from renewable generation directed to storage, then returned to the grid.

Click on the image to zoom

Our proposed BESS will play a vital role in strengthening the electricity network across Far North Queensland. By storing energy when demand is low and delivering it when it’s needed most—like during peak periods or emergencies—the BESS will improve the reliability, security, and resilience of the network in Far North Queensland.

The project will also bring real economic benefits to the region. Construction is expected to generate about 60 full-time equivalent jobs over an 18-month period, with ongoing operations supporting up to three permanent roles. We’re proud to contribute to local employment, skills development, and Queensland overall.

Estimated
project timeline

A project timeline graphic showing milestones from 2024 to 2048, with a speech bubble indicating 'We are here' in the 2027 construction phase.

Complaints

RWE Renewables Australia is committed to best practice customer service to ensure feedback is addressed fairly, effectively, and transparently. If you have a complaint, please email us here or call 1800 311 915.

You can find our Complaints Handling Policy here.

Development Application

The Development Application (DA) for the proposed Tully BESS was submitted to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council in September 2025.

In December 2025, the Queensland Government introduced changes to the planning framework for BESS projects through the Planning (Battery Storage Facilities) and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2025. See announcement here.

Under this new framework BESS projects such as the Tully BESS are now assessed by the Queensland Government’s State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) in accordance with State Code 27 – Battery Storage Facility Development and the Planning Guideline – Battery Storage Facility.

As a result of these changes, a new Development Application will be submitted to SARA in accordance with the updated requirements.

RWE’s Tully Project Team is proactively working with Cassowary Coast Regional Council and the Queensland Government to navigate the new planning process to prepare the Development Application. We remain committed to progressing the project and keeping stakeholders and community informed as the project progresses under the updated Queensland planning framework.

EPBC Referral

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Referral for the Tully BESS project was submitted to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in early December 2025. The referral is currently being assessed by DCCEEW and we expect a decision in early 2026. The associated reports can be viewed below or at Referral summary · EPBC Act Public Portal.

News and events

EPBC Public Exhibition Now Open

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Referral for the Tully BESS located near Tully has now been formally published on the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) EPBC public portal.

The purpose of the exhibition period is to enable DCCEEW to consider whether the project is a controlled action under the EPBC Act and, if so, what level of assessment may be required.
DCCEEW has opened a public comment period, during which interested parties are able to review the referral documentation and make a submission. We encourage and welcome submissions from the community and interested stakeholders.

Key Details:

• Project: Tully BESS
• Public Portal Access: EPBC public portal
• EPBC Reference Number: EPBC 2025/10377
• Public Exhibition Period:
Open: 9 December 2025
Closes: 23 December 2025

Please note that:

This exhibition relates only to the Commonwealth EPBC referral process.

Separate State and Local Government approval processes will continue in parallel, where applicable.

For further information on how to make a submission visit the DCCEEW website.

If you have any questions regarding the project or the referral process, please contact Bal Saini on 0473 351 706 or via mail.
The formal public notification period for the Tully BESS Development Application is now open from 7 November to 28 November 2025.

Formal submissions can be made to:

Cassowary Coast Regional Council
PO Box 887, Innisfail Qld 4860
[email protected]
You can view and download the newsletter here:

Tully BESS newsletter edition 1
You can view and download the FAQs here:

Tully BESS Frequently Asked Questions

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Tully BESS team

RWE Renewables Australia Pty Ltd.

Level 4
260 Queen Street
Brisbane, 4000, Australia

1800 311 915

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Acknowledgement of Country

Project information

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The proposal