The Australian Government has selected 19 large-scale renewable energy projects under Tender 7 of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), delivering a combined 7.8 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy generation capacity across the National Electricity Market (NEM). The awarded capacity exceeded the original target of 5 GW, highlighting accelerating investment momentum in Australia’s clean energy transition.
The selected projects include major wind, solar and hybrid renewable developments across New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria. Eight of the 19 successful projects are hybrid renewable facilities integrating battery energy storage systems (BESS), contributing more than 2.0 GW and 7.9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of storage capacity to improve grid reliability and renewable energy integration.
The Australian Government said the approved projects are expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 4 million households across the NEM. The projects are also projected to create over 19,000 construction jobs and support more than 1,500 long-term operations and maintenance positions throughout their operational lifecycle.
The Tender 7 projects include substantial investments in regional development, First Nations participation and Australian manufacturing supply chains. Subject to final contract execution, developers have committed approximately $504.6 million toward community shared benefits programs, $678.7 million in First Nations benefits, and $257 million in Australian-made steel procurement.
New South Wales secured the largest number of approved projects, including major developments such as Origin Energy’s 1,498 MW Yanco Delta Wind Farm in Moonbria, ACEN Australia’s 600 MW Birriwa Solar project with 2,400 MWh battery storage, and Lightsource BP’s Gundary Hybrid Facility featuring 320 MW solar generation combined with 1,391 MWh of battery capacity.
Queensland also received several large-scale approvals, including Windlab’s Bungaban Wind Energy Project with 1,150 MW wind generation and 1,400 MWh battery storage, alongside Theodore Energy Development’s 1,022 MW Theodore Wind Farm.
Additional projects approved include Tasmania’s 341 MW Cellars Hill Wind Farm, South Australia’s 289 MW Whyte Yarcowie Wind Farm, and Victoria’s 338 MW Willatook Wind Farm operated by ENGIE.
The Australian Government confirmed that Tender 9 for NEM Generation capacity will open on 25 May 2026 with an indicative target of 5 GW, while bids will close on 20 July 2026. Outcomes from Tender 8 for NEM Dispatchable capacity are expected in June 2026, while Tender 10 for NEM Dispatchable Capacity is also scheduled to open in June 2026.
Australia’s renewable energy expansion forms part of the federal government’s broader climate strategy targeting emissions reductions of 62 percent to 70 percent below 2005 levels by 2035 as the country advances toward its long-term net zero ambitions.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
