Private Energy Partners and Solquartz are planning the Northern Quartz Campus, which is proposed to be located within the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct. Northern Quartz Campus is a series of projects, including the Supernode North Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and Metallurgical Silicon Production Facility.

Building North Queensland’s quartz to silicon supply chain

Private Energy Partners and Solquartz are planning the Northern Quartz Campus, which is proposed to be located within the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct. Northern Quartz Campus is a series of projects, including the Supernode North Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Biochar Plant and Metallurgical Silicon Production Facility. Two nearby solar farms to power the Northern Quartz Campus are also proposed.

Project location

The Projects are north of Manton Quarry Road, within the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct (LEIP), at Woodstock, about 40km south of Townsville.

Information about the Supernode North BESS

If approved, Supernode North will store energy generated at nearby proposed solar farms to power the Northern Quartz Campus and support the local energy network by releasing stored energy during periods of high demand or low generation. The BESS would facilitate the establishment of a proposed Powerlink 275kV substation within the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct.

This initiative aims to reduce electricity waste, stabilise power supply, and enhance the efficiency and reliability of Queensland’s energy system, supporting both local households and nationally significant new industries.

The proposed facility is designed to store up to 6000 megawatt hours (MWh) of energy, discharge up to 750 megawatts (MW), and provide up to 8 hours of energy on demand, with an operational life of approximately 25 years.

Read the Project Overview to find about more about the BESS.

Information about the Metallurgical Silicon Production Facility

The proposed production facility would use Queensland’s minerals and renewable energy to build a resilient, ethical and sustainable Australia-made supply chain. The facility is proposed to be designed to produce and use sustainably sourced plantation wood chips and charcoal to convert Queensland-mined quartz into metallurgical silicon. This silicon would be used to make a range of solar power products. This facility would include a smelter, like the type used in the iron and steel industry.

Read the Project Overview to find out more about the Metallurgical Silicon Production Facility.

Information about the Biochar Plant

The proposed Biochar Plant would generate biochar using timber (for example, sustainably harvested round logs or woodchips).

Read the Project Overview to find out more about the Biochar Plant.

About Private Energy Partners and Solquartz

Solquartz is a Queensland-based portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners (Quinbrook), which aims to produce sustainable and ethically sourced silicon for critical industries.

Private Energy Partners is an affiliate enterprise of Quinbrook and Quinbrook’s dedicated development, delivery and operations service provider, specialising in energy and infrastructure projects across Australia, the US and UK.

Quinbrook is a global business founded in 2015 by Queenslanders who have invested in more than 200 low carbon, renewable, storage and critical minerals projects over the past 25 years.

Quinbrook has invested in Solquartz, which is the project proponent.