The Australian government has announced the results of Tender 7 under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), with 19 renewable energy projects selected to deliver 7.8 gigawatts (GW) of new generation capacity across New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria.
The outcome significantly exceeds the 5 GW originally targeted under the tender and represents a major step in Australia’s transition to a clean energy future.
The announcement was made by the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy.
Of the 19 selected projects, eight are hybrid configurations, pairing wind or solar generation with battery energy storage systems (BESS), collectively contributing more than 2.0 GW of generation capacity and 7.9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of storage to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Together, the projects are projected to produce sufficient electricity to supply more than four million households across the NEM.
During the construction phase alone, the portfolio is expected to support more than 19,000 jobs, with a further 1,500-plus operations and maintenance positions sustained over the lifetime of the projects.
Subject to final contracts, developers of the 19 successful projects have made substantial commitments to local communities, First Nations participation, and Australian-made materials.
These commitments include an estimated $504.6 million in community shared benefits, $678.7 million in First Nations benefits, and $257 million in Australian-made steel, highlighting the government’s intent to ensure the clean energy transition delivers broadly shared economic and social outcomes.
New South Wales
Nine projects were selected in New South Wales, including several large-scale hybrid facilities:
- Baldon Wind Farm (346 MW wind + 132 MWh BESS), operated by Goldwind/Omni near Moulamein.
- Birriwa Solar (600 MW solar + 2,400 MWh BESS), operated by ACEN Australia in Birriwa.
- Bullawah Wind Farm Stage 1 (300 MW wind), operated by BayWa in Hay South.
- Dinawan Solar Hybrid (300 MW solar + 1,200 MWh BESS), operated by Spark Renewables in Bundure.
- Gundary Hybrid Facility (320 MW solar + 1,391 MWh BESS), operated by Lightsource BP in Gundary.
- Gunning Solar Farm Hybrid Project (290 MW solar + 542 MWh BESS), operated by Zero-E/Grupo Cobra in Lade Vale.
- Kayuga Solar Farm and BESS (85 MW solar), operated by European Energy Australia in Kayuga.
- Wattle Creek Solar Hybrid (180 MW solar + 720 MWh BESS), operated by Spark Renewables in Brayton.
- Yanco Delta Wind Farm (1,498 MW wind), operated by Origin Energy in Moonbria — one of the largest individual projects in the tender.
Queensland
Five projects were awarded in Queensland:
- Banana Range Wind Farm (228 MW wind), operated by EDF Power Solutions in Banana.
- Bullyard Project (97 MW solar), operated by European Energy Australia in Bucca.
- Bungaban Wind Energy Project (1,150 MW wind + 1,400 MWh BESS), operated by Windlab in Bungaban.
- Moranbah Solar Farm (171 MW solar + 100 MWh BESS), operated by Zero-E/Grupo Cobra in Coppabella.
- Theodore Wind Farm (1,022 MW wind), operated by Theodore Energy Development in Camboon.
Tasmania
- Cellars Hill Wind Farm (341 MW wind), operated by Gamuda Renewables and Alternate Path in Bothwell.
- Weasel Solar Farm (200 MW solar), also operated by Gamuda Renewables and Alternate Path in Bothwell.
South Australia
- Whyte Yarcowie Wind Farm (289 MW wind), operated by EDF Power Solutions in Whyte Yarcowie.
Victoria
- Willatook Wind Farm (338 MW wind), operated by ENGIE in Willatook.
- Woolsthorpe Wind Farm (72 MW wind), operated by ICA Partners in Woolsthorpe.
The CIS pipeline remains active on multiple fronts. Tender 9 — NEM Generation opened on 25 May 2026, seeking an indicative capacity of 5 GW, with bids closing on 20 July 2026.
The results of Tender 8 (NEM Dispatchable are expected to be announced in June 2026, while Tender 10) NEM Dispatchable Capacity is also anticipated to open that month.
The Capacity Investment Scheme sits at the centre of the Australian government’s strategy to drive investment in new renewable generation and storage.
The government has set a target to reduce emissions to between 62 and 70 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035, with the CIS serving as a core mechanism on the path to net zero.
