Friday 31 July 2026
Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) has continued to invest in the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT), expanding its overall solar capacity with an additional 240kW of rooftop solar and installing a new 1145kw/h battery energy storage system (BESS), marking another practical step forward in the Port’s energy transition.
The BESS installation forms part of a trial delivered in partnership with Hydro Tasmania and supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), receiving $240,000 in funding towards the battery component under Round 1 of its Community Batteries Program.
While increasing overall solar capacity in excess of 1MW at the BICT, the BESS component of the project will trial how battery storage can optimise energy use by enabling renewable energy to be captured and used onsite, improving energy reliability and reducing demand on the grid.
PBPL CEO, Neil Stephens, said the project demonstrated the Port’s continued investment in the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal to ensure it remains a world-class, sustainable gateway for visitors to Queensland.
“This trial is an important step in understanding how battery storage can support more efficient energy use at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal,” Mr Stephens said.
“Like many industries, port businesses are significant energy users – and the BICT, which welcomes around 150 cruise ships each year, is no different.
“While we have already invested in 790kW of onsite solar, this enhanced capacity and new battery storage will help us understand how we can better manage electricity demand, reduce reliance on the grid, and free up network capacity for broader community use.
“Through our long-term Vision 2060, we’re continuing to explore opportunities to expand renewable energy solutions across the Port of Brisbane more broadly.
“In FY24, PBPL achieved Net Zero Emissions (scope 1 and 2, with offsets) and we have maintained that since. Ongoing investment and initiatives such as these are important as we continue our own decarbonisation journey, and I’d like to thank Hydro Tasmania and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency for their support on this project.”