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Australia orders 7.8 GW of renewables and 7.9 GWh of storage in latest auction
2/6/2026
News
The Australian government has selected 19 projects totalling 7.8 GW of renewable generation and 7.9 GWh of battery storage under Tender 7 of its Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), exceeding the original 5 GW target.
Collectively the projects are expected to supply electricity to around four million households by the end of the decade, with much of the capacity delivered through hybrid projects combining generation and storage.
Wind accounted for most of the awarded capacity, with 5.5 GW. The largest project selected is the 1.5 GW Yanco Delta wind farm in New South Wales, to be developed by Origin Energy. Other major projects include the 1.2 GW Bungaban wind energy project by Windlab and the 1 GW Theodore wind farm by Theodore Energy Development (led by RWE), both in Queensland.
Almost 2.5 GW of the total generation capacity will be delivered by solar projects, including the 200 MW Weasel solar farm being developed in Tasmania by Gamuda Renewables and Alternate Path.
Eight of the successful projects were hybrid, six of which were solar. They include the Birriwa 600 MW solar farm and 2,400 MWh battery being developed by Acen, and Lightsource BP’s Gundary 320 MW solar and 1,391 MWh battery project, both in New South Wales.
Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the projects are expected to involve around $17bn in private investment and support approximately 19,000 construction jobs, while contributing to a more reliable electricity system.
RWE brings Australia’s first eight-hour battery into full operation
RWE has received approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and transmission operator Transgrid to operate its Limondale battery energy storage system (BESS) at full capacity.
The 50 MW/400 MWh battery, located near Balranald in southern New South Wales, is the first in Australia capable of discharging at its rated output for more than eight hours. The system comprises 144 Tesla Megapacks which are uniquely registered to charge at 100 MW and discharge at 50 MW.
The project, located adjacent to the RWE Limondale solar farm, has completed grid compliance and performance testing, and has now moved from commissioning into full operations.
