CATL and Quinbrook Advance Australia's Largest Battery Storage Project with Stage 3 Financing Milestone

## CATL and Quinbrook Advance Supernode Battery Project with Major Financing Close Chinese battery manufacturer CATL and energy infrastructure investor Quinbrook have announced a significant dual milestone for their Supernode battery energy storage project in Australia, completing Stage 2 commercial operations while simultaneously reaching financial close on A$469 million in financing for Stage 3. According to a PR Newswire release dated 15 August 2026, the Supernode project represents one of Australia's most ambitious grid-scale energy storage developments, with the phased structure allowing the partnership to progressively scale capacity while securing project financing at each stage. The completion of Stage 2 commercial operations marks the project's transition from construction to active grid participation, while the Stage 3 financing close — at A$469 million — underscores sustained institutional confidence in large-format battery storage infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. ### Relevance to the Maritime Sector While the Supernode project is primarily a land-based grid storage initiative, its implications for the maritime and port energy sectors are noteworthy. Australia's major port precincts — including those in Queensland, where the project is based — are increasingly dependent on stable, low-carbon grid infrastructure to support electrification of port equipment, shore power for vessels at berth, and the emerging hydrogen and ammonia bunkering supply chains. Large-scale battery storage projects of this nature play a foundational role in enabling ports to draw reliable renewable energy, reducing reliance on diesel generation and supporting decarbonisation targets aligned with IMO 2050 goals. CATL, the world's largest battery manufacturer by installed capacity, brings significant supply chain depth to the partnership, while Quinbrook's infrastructure investment expertise provides the project finance and development framework. The combination positions Supernode as a reference project for future port-adjacent and maritime energy storage applications across the region. ### Outlook With Stage 3 now fully financed, construction and commissioning activities are expected to progress through the latter part of 2026 and into 2027. Industry observers will be watching whether the Supernode model — phased development with staged financing — becomes a template for similar energy storage projects serving port and coastal industrial precincts across Australia and Southeast Asia. *Source: PR Newswire*