Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) has awarded 19 renewable energy projects under Tender 7 of the Capacity Investment program, with a combined capacity of 7.8 GW, exceeding the tendered 5 GW cap.

Eight of the 19 selected projects are hybrid projects, combining wind or solar generation with battery storage.

These projects are expected to contribute more than 2 GW and 7.9 GWh of storage capacity to the grid.

New South Wales accounted for nine selected projects, including the 1,498 MW Yanco Delta Wind Farm by Origin Energy, the 600 MW Birriwa Solar project with 2,400 MWh of battery storage by ACEN Australia, and the 320 MW Gundary Hybrid Facility with 1,391 MWh of battery storage by Lightsource BP.

Queensland had five selected projects, including the 1,150 MW Bungaban Wind Energy Project with 1,400 MWh of battery storage, developed by Windlab, and the 1,022 MW Theodore Wind Farm, developed by Theodore Energy Development.

Tasmania had two projects, while South Australia and Victoria had one and two projects, respectively.

Subject to final contracts, the projects selected under Tender 7 have committed an estimated AU$504.6 million (~$359.72 million) in community shared benefits, AU$678.7 million (~$483.83 million) in First Nations benefits, and AU$257 million (~$183.21 million) in Australian-made steel.

The selected projects are expected to produce enough electricity to supply more than 4 million households in the National Electricity Market. They are also expected to support more than 19,000 jobs during construction and over 1,500 jobs in operations and maintenance throughout their operating life.

The next tender, Tender 9, National Electricity Market Generation, opened on May 25, 2026, seeking an indicative capacity of 5 GW. Bids will close on July 20, 2026. Outcomes for Tender 8, National Electricity Market Dispatchable, are expected in June 2026, while Tender 10, for the National Electricity Market Dispatchable Capacity, will open in June 2026.

Australia has set a target to cut emissions by 62% to 70% below 2005 levels by 2035.

This February, AusEnergy Services awarded six new long-duration energy storage battery projects totaling 1.17 GW/11.98 GWh under the sixth round of New South Wales Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

Earlier, Australia invited bids to establish 4 GW/16 GWh of dispatchable energy storage capacity in the National Electricity Market.