CATL and Quinbrook advance their Supernode battery‑storage partnership after completing phase 2 in Brisbane
Executive summary: CATL and Quinbrook announced the consolidation of their Supernode alliance after Quinbrook’s Supernode battery storage project completed phase 2 in Brisbane, Australia. The achievement unlocks the A$469 million financing earmarked for phase 3, bringing the project nearer to commercial operation and expanding CATL’s footprint in large‑scale stationary battery storage.
Who is involved: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, and the Supernode project located in Brisbane, Australia.
Likely next: Financial close for phase 3 is expected by end‑September 2026, followed by construction start in Q4 2026 and a target commercial‑operation date in mid‑2027.
CATL and Quinbrook announced that the Supernode battery storage project in Brisbane has completed phase 2 commercial operation and secured A$469 million in financing for phase 3. The milestone marks a significant step toward full-scale deployment and reinforces CATL's position as a key technology supplier for utility-scale storage outside China. The financing, backed by a consortium of lenders, signals strong institutional confidence in the bankability of large-scale battery assets in Australia's evolving energy market. For CATL, the project provides a reference installation for its integrated battery systems and long-term service model, supporting its broader international expansion. Phase 3 construction is expected to commence shortly, with the partners indicating that further phases could follow if performance targets are met. The development also aligns with Australia's renewable energy targets and grid stability requirements, positioning Supernode as a benchmark for future storage investments in the region.
Timeline
- — CATL y Quinbrook consolidan su alianza en el ámbito de los supernodos (PR Newswire)
- — CATL et Quinbrook renforcent leur partenariat Supernode après avoir franchi des étapes clés lors des phases 2 et 3 (PR Newswire)
- — CATL and Quinbrook Build on Supernode Partnership Following Stage 2 and Stage 3 Major Milestones (PR Newswire)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Financial close for Supernode Phase 3 (A$469 million) anticipated by end of September 2026
- Commencement of civil works for Phase 3 expected Q4 2026
- Target date for commercial operation of Supernode Phase 3: mid‑2027
Sectors affected
- Utility‑scale battery storage
- Renewable energy integration
- Electric vehicle battery supply chain
Historical parallels
- Tesla Hornsdale Power Reserve (100 MW/129 MWh), South Australia, 2017 – first large‑scale lithium‑ion battery for grid services
- Fluence Estes Park 100 MW/400 MWh battery storage project, Colorado, USA, 2021 – utility‑scale storage contracted with Xcel Energy
- ESFC’s 200 MW/800 MWh Dalian battery storage plant, China, 2020 – one of the world’s largest lithium‑ion storage facilities
Key entities
Sources
Open the full interactive case file on Beyond →