Brendale chosen for $2.5 billion 'green' data storage project

“The Supernode is an innovative new project planning to bring large-scale storage facilities for both data and battery energy to the one site,” Mr Miles says.

Major investment

He says the Supernode will leverage the access Brendale has to the adjacent South Pine electricity substation for a battery-energy storage project that will help the region’s energy resilience.

“Today’s announcement shows what the future holds for Queensland’s digital and renewables economy and the creation of knowledge-based jobs.”

Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners managing partner David Scaysbrook says the Supernode has the potential to be a $2.5 billion-plus investment, developed in stages on a 30ha site.

Green storage

The project is a key component of the company’s APAC Green Data strategy, which develops and constructs data centres powered by renewable energy.

|“South East Queensland’s imminent and direct access to fast global connectivity through Maroochydore to the Pacific makes it an excellent location for our large-scale data storage facility,” Mr Scaysbrook says.|

“Our Supernode site at Brendale is also an unrivalled location for power supply resilience due to its access to three independent high voltage connections forming the major power transmission node for Queensland at South Pine substation.”

Renewable energy

Mr Scaysbrook says the project gives ample scope for powering the company’s large-scale batteries with locally produced solar, wind and hydro sourced renewables that will power the data centre campus as it grows.

|“This is exactly the type of digital technology enabling project Queensland needs in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, supporting data intensive industries such as post-production for the burgeoning film industry here in Queensland,” he says.|

Quinbrook is marketing the Supernode to prospective data centre operators and has lodged applications to enable construction to commence mid-2023 on the battery storage infrastructure.

Creating jobs

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery says the project will have a significant impact in the region and create jobs.

“Today’s announcement puts us on the map internationally as a destination for global high-tech companies to invest and setup their business right here in Moreton Bay,” Mayor Flannery says.

|“This will be the biggest data storage facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere, and one of the largest battery storage installations in the National Electricity Market.|

“We welcome Quinbrook to South-East Queensland’s engine room and look forward to seeing the economic benefits that this world class project will bring to the Moreton Bay Region and its residents.”

Wind and sun

Pine Rivers MP and Assistant Minister Nikki Boyd also welcomes the investment.

“Constructing the Supernode in Brendale is a show of confidence in the region and in Queensland’s future as a renewable energy powerhouse,” Ms Boyd says.

“In the future, the large-scale batteries and data centre could be powered by pure Queensland wind and sunshine.|

“Large scale data storage will support new jobs in and allow the region to continue to boom in the lead up to Brisbane 2032.”

Source: https://www.moretondaily.com.a...