Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy has announced the results of Tender 4 under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), which aims to support the national renewable energy target of 82 per cent. A total of 20 projects were selected with a cumulative capacity of 6.6 GW, exceeding the initial plan of 6 GW. Of these, 12 hybrid projects integrating wind or solar generation with battery energy storage systems (BESS) will contribute over 3,500 MW (11,400 MWh) to the electricity grid.
The 20 selected projects span multiple states. In New South Wales, awarded projects include the Bendemeer energy hub with 252 MW solar plus 300 MWh BESS operated by Metis Energy; the 357 MW Dinawan wind farm stage 1 operated by Spark Renewables; the 634 MW Liverpool Range wind stage 1 operated by Tilt Renewables; the 450 MW Merino solar farm with 1,800 MWh BESS operated by EDPR; the 363 MW Middlebrook solar farm with 813 MWh BESS operated by TotalEnergies Renewables Australia; and the 500 MW Tallawang solar hybrid with 1,000 MWh BESS operated by Potentia Energy. In Victoria, awarded projects include the 230 MW Corop solar farm with 704 MWh BESS operated by BRNG Leeson; the 95 MW Derby solar project with plus 210 MWh BESS operated by Sungrow; the 600 MW Hexham wind farm operated by AGL; and the 300 MW Nowingi solar project with 1,200 MWh BESS operated by Edify Energy.
In Queensland, awarded projects include the 399 NW Gawara Baya with 217 MWh BESS operated by Windlab; the 300 MW Guthrie’s Gap solar project with 1,200 MWh BESS operated by Edify Energy; the 281 MW Lower Wonga solar farm operated by Lightsource BP; the 360 MW Moah Creek wind farm operated by Central Queensland Power; the 400 MW Punchs Creek solar farm with 1,600 MWh BESS operated by EDPR; and the 300 MW Smoky Creek solar project with 1,200 MWh BESS operated by Edify Energy. In South Australia, the awarded projects include the 240 MW Bundey solar project with 1,200 MWh BESS operated by Genaspi Energy Group; the 247 MW Carmody’s Hill wind farm operated by Aula Energy; and the 108 MW Willogoleche 2 wind farm operated by ENGIE and Foresight; while Tasmania has the 224 MW Bell Bay wind farm operated by Equis.
Throughout their operational life, these 20 projects are expected to generate over 12,000 construction jobs, more than 1,000 operations and maintenance jobs, and 190 full-time equivalent positions for apprentices. The total investment represents over $1,417 billion in local content, $91 billion in Australian steel, $24 billion in shared community benefits, and $29 billion in First Nations benefits. Additionally, ten projects will provide community rebate schemes and support local initiatives such as solar installations, electric vehicle chargers, and educational and environmental development programmes.
