Hitachi Energy secures Powerlink contract to stabilize Queensland electrical grid with synchronous condensers

Hitachi Energy has been commissioned by Powerlink to deploy four synchronous condensers in Central Queensland. The project is a critical component of the Queensland Energy Roadmap, designed to provide 1,442 megawatts of inertia and voltage stability as the regional grid transitions toward a more complex generation mix.

Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader in power systems and electrification, has been selected by Queensland’s state-owned transmission network service provider, Powerlink, to deliver a major system strength project. The contract involves the installation of four synchronous condensers (syncons) equipped with flywheels, designed to manage 1,442 megawatts (MW) of inertia and provide +161MVAr of reactive power. While Hitachi Energy will oversee system integration and balance of plant, its partner Baker Hughes is set to supply the specific rotating machinery.

This development is pivotal for Australia’s energy transition, specifically within the Central Queensland network. As traditional synchronous generators are decommissioned or supplemented by intermittent renewables, the grid loses natural inertia, increasing the risk of voltage instability and frequency fluctuations. Synchronous condensers act as a mechanical stabilizer, ensuring the network can withstand faults and sudden changes in supply without widespread disruption. The impact of this project extends beyond immediate grid reliability; it provides the essential technical foundation for the Queensland Energy Roadmap.

For industrial stakeholders and large-scale energy users in the region, this investment reduces the likelihood of load shedding and improves power quality. Strategically, the project highlights a growing market for grid-firming technologies in mature economies overhaulng their energy infrastructure. For investors and decision-makers, this move underscores the indispensable role of inertia-providing assets in maintaining the resilience of modern high-voltage networks. As Australia continues its industrial expansion, the integration of such high-performance power quality solutions will be a prerequisite for connecting additional renewable capacity while preserving systemic operational security.