NSW Dominates Australia’s Largest Renewable Energy Tender
Australia’s largest ever renewable energy tender has named 19 solar, wind, and hybrid projects as winners, with New South Wales set to host the majority. This move is crucial in aiding the urgent task of replacing the country’s ageing coal generators.
Among the notable winners are iron ore billionaire Andrew Forrest, along with companies like Neoen, Elgin Energy, Lightsource bp, and Edify Energy, who account for 14 of the 19 projects.
Key Project Details
The awarded projects total 6.4 gigawatts of generation capacity, with a significant focus on solar projects. While there are 11 solar projects, wind projects make up more than half of the total capacity. Additionally, eight projects include big batteries for storage, enhancing their efficiency.
Notable Omissions and Future Plans
Surprisingly, some major projects like Golden Plains, Liverpool Plains, and Yanco Delta in NSW did not secure wins. Furthermore, the absence of the country’s largest utilities is noteworthy, despite their participation in the process.
The Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) is a key policy initiative by the government to drive the country towards its 82 per cent renewables target by 2030. The recent surge in construction starts and commitments indicates a positive trajectory towards this goal.
Looking ahead, more than 32 GW of capacity will be auctioned through subsequent tenders, with a focus on wind, solar, and storage projects to meet the growing energy demands.
Project Highlights by State
The winning projects span across states like New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, each contributing to the renewable energy landscape in their unique ways.
For detailed information on each project and its technology, size, and operator, refer to the provided project list.
The CIS operates on an underwriting agreement basis, ensuring developers bid within specified price ranges to receive government compensation or return excess funds accordingly.
Despite calls for transparency on winning bid prices, the government has chosen to keep this information confidential. However, the competitive nature of the bids and lower costs than anticipated have been highlighted as positive outcomes.
Assessment of bids was conducted rigorously by an independent third party, focusing on factors like market price impact, system reliability, and community benefits, including support for local businesses and First Nations Australians.
The awarded projects are expected to deliver substantial community benefits, support local economies, and contribute to the country’s renewable energy transition.
With ongoing tenders and future developments, Australia is on track to enhance its renewable energy capacity significantly, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.
For more insights, refer to Renew Economy’s Big Battery Map of Australia for a comprehensive overview of the country’s energy landscape.
Author: Giles Parkinson
Giles Parkinson, the founder and editor of Renew Economy, brings over 40 years of journalistic experience to the renewable energy sector, providing valuable insights through various platforms.
