GE Vernova awarded Stage 3 contract for Queensland’s Supernode battery storage project, completing full-site involvement at 780 MW and 3,075 MWh

GE Vernova announced on August 21, 2026, that Quinbrook selected it to supply power conversion, controls, and integration technology for Stage 3 of the Supernode Battery Energy Storage System in Queensland, Australia. The contract extends the company’s involvement across all three stages of the development—an unusual level of continuity for a project of this scale.

When complete, Supernode will deliver 780 MW and 3,075 MWh of battery storage from a single site, placing it among the largest battery energy storage projects in Australia’s National Electricity Market.

GE Vernova secures Stage 3 contract for Supernode project

Stage 3 adds 260 MW and 1,216 MWh of four-hour storage capacity to the existing Supernode campus, bringing the full development to 780 MW and 3,075 MWh at a single site—a scale that’s genuinely hard to find anywhere in Australia’s National Electricity Market.

As coal and gas generation retire, those stabilizing functions need to come from somewhere else, and grid-forming batteries are one credible answer to that gap.

GE Vernova booked the Stage 3 order in Q1 2026. The company will supply the power conversion system, plant controls, system integration, and grid-connection support for this final phase. With all three stages delivered by the same technology partner, the Supernode campus is on track to become one of the country’s most significant battery storage installations.

Why Quinbrook selected GE Vernova across all three stages

Stages 1 and 2 of Supernode are already running, both using GE Vernova technology. That track record looks like it was a key factor in Quinbrook’s decision to extend the partnership into Stage 3.

A consistent technical foundation across power conversion, plant controls, system integration, and grid-connection support gave Quinbrook continuity through the full project lifecycle. Sticking with one technology partner across all three stages cuts down on integration complexity—especially at this scale.

Stage 3 has already cleared a significant regulatory hurdle: Generator Performance Standards (GPS) acceptance, an important milestone in Australia’s National Electricity Market. GPS acceptance sets the agreed technical performance standards governing how the project connects to and interacts with the grid. GE Vernova’s engineering and integration work contributed to securing that acceptance.

Grid-forming technology marks a first for GE Vernova in Australia

Stage 3 will be GE Vernova’s first grid-forming battery energy storage project in Australia. That distinction matters well beyond the Supernode site.

Grid-forming technology expands what batteries can do. Rather than simply responding to grid conditions, grid-forming systems actively support network stability—providing frequency support and system strength that were historically the job of conventional thermal power plants. As coal and gas generation retire, those stabilizing functions need to come from somewhere else, and grid-forming batteries are one credible answer to that gap.

Ed Torres, Business Leader for Power Conversion & Storage in GE Vernova‘s Electrification segment, described the broader significance: “Battery storage is becoming part of the operating foundation of modern electricity systems. Supernode shows what is possible when storage, power conversion and intelligent controls work together at scale.”

Bringing grid-forming capability to Australia through a project already embedded in Queensland’s transmission network gives this development added weight for the country’s grid operators.

Supernode’s strategic role in Queensland’s electricity network

Location is a big part of what makes Supernode significant. The site sits at a key point in Queensland’s transmission network, positioning it to absorb supply fluctuations and respond to demand shifts across a wide area.

The function itself is straightforward but critical. Batteries store electricity when supply is high—often when solar or wind generation peaks—then release it when demand rises or renewable output dips. That buffering role helps maintain reliable supply while reducing dependence on fossil fuel backup generation.

What sets Supernode apart from many battery projects is room to grow. The site has capacity for an additional 520 MW of expansion beyond the current three-stage development, which could take the form of more battery storage, data centers, or a combination of both. James Allan, Senior Director at Quinbrook, put it plainly: “Opportunities to develop infrastructure at this scale, in such a strategically connected location, are exceptionally rare.”

That rarity is worth taking seriously. Finding a site with the grid connectivity, physical space, and regulatory groundwork already in place is a genuine constraint in large-scale energy infrastructure—and Supernode’s design, according to Quinbrook, anticipated that potential from the start.

3,075 MWh of battery storage

GE Vernova’s Stage 3 contract completes its involvement across all three phases of the Supernode BESS project in Queensland. Once fully built out, the site will deliver 780 MW and 3,075 MWh of battery storage from a single location, placing it among the largest in Australia’s National Electricity Market.

Stage 3 will mark GE Vernova’s first deployment of grid-forming battery technology in Australia, adding frequency support and system strength capabilities to the project’s existing storage functions. The stage has already secured GPS acceptance, clearing the key grid-connection milestone.

Beyond the three current stages, the Supernode campus retains capacity for a further 520 MW of development—keeping future expansion options open for battery storage, data infrastructure, or both.

Kelly Lippke

Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.