Leighton Asia has secured a contract in India for a mixed-use development that includes a shopping mall, a hotel, and an apartment tower. Meanwhile, UGL, a member of the CIMIC Group, has been selected to design and construct Stage 2 of the Western Downs Battery in Queensland, Australia, for Neoen, a global leader in renewable energy.
UGL will install a 270 MW / 540 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and the necessary high-voltage infrastructure to connect it to the grid at Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub. The BESS will feature 140 Tesla Megapack 2XL units and is expected to begin operations in 2026.
Currently, UGL is working on Stage 1 of the Western Downs Battery, also with a capacity of 270 MW / 540 MWh, which is anticipated to be operational later this year.
Once both stages are complete, the batteries will operate alongside Neoen’s 460 MWp Western Downs solar farm, enabling stored energy to be fed into the electricity network.
CIMIC Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria highlighted the importance of this project, stating, “With increased capacity, the Western Downs Battery will play a vital role in Queensland’s energy transition, as the state aims to achieve 80% renewable energy by 2035. We’re excited to further our contribution to Queensland’s most powerful battery and the Queensland SuperGrid with this second stage of development.”
UGL Managing Director Doug Moss added, “UGL is at the forefront of designing, constructing, and commissioning renewable energy assets across Australia, having completed 13 solar farms and seven large-scale batteries. We have a strong partnership with Neoen, a global clean energy leader, and Tesla, and we’re pleased to collaborate on our fifth BESS installation with them.”
Work on the project is set to begin in the coming weeks, with operations targeted for 2026.
A mixed-use project in India for Leighton Asia
CIMIC Group company Leighton Asia has been awarded a contract to construct a retail mall and a hotel and serviced apartment tower in Gurgaon, India, by the Elan Group.
The project will generate revenue of approximately A$87 million for Leighton Asia.
CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said: “It is great to have Leighton Asia selected to deliver another exciting project for the Elan Group, for which we are already constructing a major residential development.”
Leighton Asia Managing Director Brad Davey said: “This win further advances Leighton Asia’s strong presence in the real estate sector and our growth in India. We are proud to have the Elan Group’s trust and to meet their requirements.”
Located in Sector 82, the project covers 3.1 hectares, with a total built up area of approximately 207,000sq m. It comprises a retail mall with three basements, lower ground, upper ground, five retail floors, five hotel floors and 17 serviced apartment floors with a skybar and terrace.
Leighton Asia’s scope of work includes earthworks, structural and civil works, electrical and plumbing works and the construction of underground and overhead water tanks.
The project has a Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) 4‐star rating target.
