October 14, 2025
The proposed Akaysha Energy Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at Ellesmere has more than doubled in size, but South Burnett councillors have their hands tied in regards to the development.
The expansion from 500MW to 1120MW was approved by “delegated authority” last month which meant it was not put before a Council meeting for discussion.
Akaysha received approval for a Material Change of Use for a block of former grazing land next to Oaky Creek Back Road in 2024.
At that time, BESS projects such as this were “code assessable” rather than “impact assessable”, so if a project conformed to existing policy, it had to be approved or Council risked an expensive (and probably unsuccessful) legal battle.
The BESS project originally was to cover an area of about 10ha not far from the existing Halys Substation and other electrical infrastructure.
The footprint of the project has now expanded to about 15ha.
It will be connected to the substation via a 275kV Powerlink transmission line.
Akaysha has stated previously that it intends to use Lithium Iron Phosphate cell technology at the Ellesmere BESS which it says is safer than lithium-ion technology.
- Related article: BESS Project Sparks Debate
