New Tenders Open to Expand Renewable Energy and Battery Storage Capacity

Two new rounds under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) have been launched to accelerate the addition of renewable energy generation and battery storage capacity. The program is expected to attract around $4 billion in private investment while supporting a cleaner, more reliable power system.

The latest tenders are designed to secure 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable generation and 2.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery storage. Together, the projects will be capable of supplying electricity for approximately 900,000 households each year, while storing enough energy to meet evening demand for 550,000 homes over a four-hour period.

The CIS forms part of a national initiative aimed at delivering 40 GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2030. So far, 19 agreements have been completed under the program, representing 5.85 GW of capacity and about $15 billion in local investment commitments.

These new tenders are intended to provide certainty for investors and deliver cost-effective projects that strengthen the transition away from coal-fired power. The streamlined assessment process will evaluate proposals not only on price and deliverability but also on their contribution to reliability, commitments to local employment, and engagement with First Nations communities.

As part of a broader strategy to retire coal generation by 2030, the program encourages both public and private funding to drive the expansion of battery storage and renewable energy infrastructure. This combined approach is designed to ensure sufficient capacity, improve system stability, and maintain affordability as energy demand continues to grow.

Interested project proponents have ten weeks to submit bids, with applications due by 7 November 2025. The tenders mark a significant step in scaling up clean power solutions, offering opportunities for innovation and investment while supporting a more sustainable energy future.