Australia selects 7.8 GW renewable capacity under CIS Tender 7

Australia’s Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy has announced the results of Tender 7 under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), selecting 19 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 7.8 GW, exceeding the original target of 5 GW.

The selected projects include wind, solar, and hybrid renewable energy systems across multiple states in the National Electricity Market (NEM). According to the government, the projects are expected to generate enough electricity to supply more than four million households.

Of the 19 projects, eight are hybrid developments integrating renewable generation with battery energy storage systems (BESS). These projects will contribute more than 2.0 GW and 7.9 GWh of storage capacity to the grid. The government said the projects are expected to support more than 19,000 construction jobs and over 1,500 long-term operations and maintenance jobs.

Community commitments

Subject to execution of final contracts, project developers have committed an estimated:

• A$504.6 million towards community shared benefits
• A$678.7 million towards First Nations benefits
• A$257 million for Australian-made steel procurement

New South Wales projects

Selected projects in New South Wales include the 346 MW Baldon Wind Farm with 132 MWh BESS by Goldwind and Omni, the 600 MW Birriwa Solar project with 2,400 MWh BESS by ACEN Australia, and the 1,498 MW Yanco Delta Wind Farm by Origin Energy.

Other projects include the 300 MW Dinawan Solar Hybrid project with 1,200 MWh BESS by Spark Renewables, the 320 MW Gundary Hybrid Facility with 1,391 MWh BESS by Lightsource BP, and the 290 MW Gunning Solar Farm Hybrid Project with 542 MWh BESS by Zero-E and Grupo Cobra.

Queensland projects

Queensland projects include the 1,150 MW Bungaban Wind Energy Project with 1,400 MWh BESS by Windlab and the 1,022 MW Theodore Wind Farm by Theodore Energy Development.

Other selected projects include the 228 MW Banana Range Wind Farm by EDF Power Solutions, the 97 MW Bullyard solar project by European Energy Australia, and the 171 MW Moranbah Solar Farm with 100 MWh BESS by Zero-E and Grupo Cobra.

Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria

In Tasmania, the selected projects include the 341 MW Cellars Hill Wind Farm and the 200 MW Weasel Solar Farm, both being developed by Gamuda Renewables and Alternate Path.

South Australia secured the 289 MW Whyte Yarcowie Wind Farm by EDF Power Solutions.

Victoria’s selected projects include the 338 MW Willatook Wind Farm by ENGIE and the 72 MW Woolsthorpe Wind Farm by ICA Partners.

Upcoming tenders

The Australian Government also outlined the next phases of the Capacity Investment Scheme. Tender 9 for NEM generation capacity opened on May 25, 2026, with a target of 5 GW. Bid submissions are scheduled to close on July 20, 2026.

Outcomes for Tender 8 covering dispatchable capacity are expected in June 2026, while Tender 10 for additional NEM dispatchable capacity is also expected to open in June 2026.

Policy backdrop

The Capacity Investment Scheme forms part of Australia’s broader strategy to support the energy transition and achieve net zero emissions targets.

The government has set an interim goal of reducing emissions by 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035 as part of its pathway towards net zero emissions.

The featured photograph is for representation only.