RWE’s 200MW / 800MWh Tully BESS has entered public notification while ICN Gateway lists 28 open supplier and subcontract EOIs.
The Tully Battery Energy Storage System has moved into the public-notification stage of Queensland’s State Assessment and Referral Agency process, with submissions open until 13 October 2026. The project is proposed about four kilometres south-west of Tully in Far North Queensland, beside Powerlink’s existing 132kV Tully Substation.
RWE Renewables Australia is proposing a standalone lithium-ion battery with an operating capacity of up to 200MW for four hours, or 800MWh. RWE describes it as the largest standalone battery currently proposed for Far North Queensland and is targeting construction from 2027, with commissioning and operations targeted for 2029.
The commercial signal is already unusually visible for a project still in planning. Industry Capability Network’s project gateway currently lists 28 open work-package EOIs covering civil earthworks, high- and low-voltage electrical work, concrete and quarry materials, cranage, haulage, fencing, labour, temporary facilities, steel fabrication and site services.
The fresh development is the move into public notification
RWE’s Development Application for the Tully BESS is now in public notification through the State Assessment and Referral Agency. The notification period runs from 21 September to 13 October 2026 under reference 2606-52806 SDA. RWE is also operating community drop-in sessions from its Tully project office during the notification period.
The state process follows earlier project milestones. A Development Application was lodged with SARA in June after Queensland’s battery-planning framework changed. Federally, the project received a “Not a Controlled Action” decision under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in January 2026, meaning it does not require further assessment under that Act.
RWE and Cassowary Coast Regional Council also executed a $3.45 million Community Benefit Agreement in May. The agreement provides for a $125,000 annual community fund and $25,000 a year for a dedicated local Tully trainee position once construction begins.
The project is designed around four-hour storage beside a key 132kV node
Up to 200MW / 800MWh at Sandy Creek Road
RWE’s current project material describes a development footprint of about nine hectares within a broader site south-west of Tully. The battery is planned to operate for four hours at up to 200MW, giving an energy-storage capacity of 800MWh — enough, on RWE’s estimate, to supply around 15,000 homes for four hours.
Federal referral material describes the supporting infrastructure as including transformers, switchgear, access roads, hardstands, foundations, laydown areas, switch rooms and storage. The project is intended to connect into Powerlink’s existing Tully Substation through 132kV infrastructure.
Planning documents show approximately 188 battery units in the current concept design, together with inverter and medium-voltage transformation equipment. Final equipment selection, detailed design and construction configuration remain subject to the approvals and delivery process.
The approval pathway is increasingly defined, but key gates remain
Planning, supplier engagement and construction readiness are moving in parallel
The current approval position has several confirmed elements: the federal EPBC referral has been resolved as a Not Controlled Action; the community-benefit agreement has been signed; the state Development Application has been lodged; and the application is now in its formal public-notification period.
The next major regulatory milestone is SARA’s assessment and decision after the notification process. RWE then still needs the commercial and delivery gates required before physical works can begin, including procurement, contractor appointments, detailed design, connection interfaces and construction mobilisation.
RWE’s current public timeline targets construction from 2027 and commissioning and operations in 2029. Earlier project documents referenced an up-to-18-month build and around 60 full-time construction jobs. BBI is treating 2029 as the current operations target because it is the date on RWE’s September 2026 project page.
ICN Gateway currently shows 28 open work-package EOIs
The strongest contractor signal is the breadth of the supplier-registration program already visible through Industry Capability Network’s project gateway. The listing currently shows 28 packages as open and zero as awarded or closed. The opportunities span direct supply, subcontracting, plant hire, workforce and site-support requirements.
Civil and infrastructure packages include civil and earthworks subcontractors for public-road upgrades, site access tracks, drainage, clearing and grubbing, bulk excavation, foundations and hardstands, trenching and backfill, erosion control and rehabilitation. Concrete supply — including transport and pumping — and quarry-material supply are also listed, covering clean fill, bedding sand, capping material, blue metal and thermally stabilised sand.
Electrical scope is visible at both high- and low/medium-voltage levels. ICN lists EOIs for HV electrical subcontractors covering overhead powerlines, substation work, cable terminations, testing, control and protection, plus LV/MV subcontractors for temporary site power, underground cable installations and related testing. Separate supply packages are listed for HV and LV/MV electrical products and accessories.
Logistics and lifting requirements are also explicit. The gateway seeks cranage from 8-tonne units through to 250-tonne mobile cranes, including frannas, rough-terrain and all-terrain cranes with operators, doggers and riggers. Haulage opportunities range from light and medium rigid vehicles through B-doubles and oversize/overmass transport.
Other open categories include plant hire, water-cart and dust-suppression services, fencing and sound barriers, landscaping, traffic management, waste, plumbing, temporary buildings, storage containers, fuel, steel fabrication, PPE and civil and electrical labour hire.
The commercial opportunity is broad because the project combines civil, electrical and logistics-heavy work
A small project footprint still creates a complex delivery interface
Battery projects are compact compared with linear infrastructure, but the construction interface is dense. Tully needs civil platforms, drainage, roads and foundations; electrical and high-voltage works; battery installation; lifting and transport; site facilities; security; commissioning and energisation.
That mix is reflected in the current EOI program. The packages are broad enough to bring local and regional contractors into the project at multiple levels, including through larger Tier 1 or Tier 2 delivery contractors. ICN’s wording for the electrical and civil subcontractor categories specifically anticipates firms working under larger contractors.
The 2027 construction target gives suppliers a forward planning window, but the project is not yet at a point where BBI should infer the final contracting model, equipment vendors or package award values. Those details should be tracked as owners and authorised procurement channels release them.
Project Watch identifies current commercial signals. The BBI Directory helps project teams and suppliers find relevant Queensland businesses across the delivery chain.
What BBI is watching next
- RWE is proposing a 200MW / 800MWh standalone lithium-ion BESS near Tully.
- Federal EPBC status is Not a Controlled Action.
- A $3.45M Community Benefit Agreement has been executed.
- The state Development Application is in public notification until 13 October 2026.
- ICN Gateway currently lists 28 open EOIs and zero awarded packages.
- RWE is targeting construction from 2027 and operations in 2029.
- SARA assessment and Development Application decision.
- Final procurement model and appointment of principal delivery contractors.
- Battery and power-conversion equipment selection where not already finalised.
- Package awards arising from the current EOI program.
- Construction mobilisation and physical works from the 2027 target window.
- Grid integration, testing, commissioning and commencement of operations.
Contractor and supplier signals to monitor
Sources and primary references
- RWE Renewables Australia — Tully BESS project page and September 2026 Development Application update
- Industry Capability Network Gateway — Tully BESS project and current work-package EOIs
- Australian Government EPBC Public Portal — Tully BESS referral summary and project description
- RWE — $3.45 million Community Benefit Agreement for Tully BESS