Australia-based clean energy solutions company Hydro Tasmania has invited expressions of interest for new wind and solar developments across Tasmania to deliver up to 1,500 GWh of electricity annually, aiming to increase the state’s renewable energy supply to the electricity grid.

Proposals must be submitted by December 5, 2025.

The selected projects must be operational within the next five to six years, aligning with forecasted increases in demand.

Hydro Tasmania has demonstrated support for large-scale solar investment. In 2024, the utility agreed to purchase electricity generated from a proposed 288 MW solar project in the Northern Midlands.

Tasmania Executive General Manager Commercial Vedran Kovac noted that recent progress on the Marinus Link interconnector project has given renewable developers greater confidence.

He said an offtake agreement with a creditworthy purchaser is an important step for developers to secure financing and move forward with project delivery. However, he stressed that any agreement must remain commercially viable and beneficial for Tasmanian consumers.

According to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), energy demand in Tasmania is expected to grow from 2030, driven by both current and future energy-intensive industries.

Recently, Australia’s government stated that it is introducing a new regulated electricity offer called Solar Sharer, mandating solar electricity retailers to offer free electricity to households for a minimum of three hours in the middle of the day during peak generation. The government is introducing this offer in July 2026 as part of its retail energy market reforms through the Default Market Offer.

In October this year, Australia invited bids for 5 GW of renewable energy projects in the National Electricity Market as part of the seventh Capacity Investment Scheme tender. The project allocation is 1.7 GW in New South Wales, 1 GW in Victoria, and 300 MW in Tasmania. The remaining 2 GW is yet to be allocated.

Last year, the AEMO Services launched registrations for the Capacity Investment Scheme Tender 4 to facilitate the development of 6 GW of renewable energy projects within Australia’s National Electricity Market.