The Minister for Climate Change and Energy has announced the results of Tender 4 under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS). The scheme supports clean energy projects to help us meet the 82% renewable energy target.
Twenty projects were selected, delivering 6.6 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy-more than the 6 GW originally planned.
Twelve of the 20 projects are hybrid projects, meaning they include a battery along with the wind or solar generation, contributing over 3,500 MW (11,400 MWh) to the grid.
These projects will bring benefits to local communities, create jobs and provide training. Many will use Australian steel with one project proposing to use 100% local steel.
Three projects will share revenue with First Nations communities and others will provide subcontracting, training and workforce development with First Nations communities. Commitments have also been made to First Nations community benefit sharing schemes.
Ten projects will offer community energy rebate initiatives. One will install solar panels on homes and a school, and another will install a community EV charger. Others will commit funds towards parks, pools, a public library, and natural habitat restoration programs. Partnerships with schools, TAFEs and universities will run STEM programs to support the next generation of students to participate in the green economy.
The 20 successful projects are:
New South Wales (NSW)
- Bendemeer Energy Hub - Solar (252 MW) + BESS (150 MW/300 MWh) operated by Metis Energy, in the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ)
- Dinawan Wind Farm Stage 1 (357 MW) operated by Spark Renewables, in the South West REZ
- Liverpool Range Wind Stage 1 (634 MW) operated by Tilt Renewables, in the Central-West Orana REZ
- Merino Solar Farm - Solar (450 MW) + BESS (450 MW/1800 MWh) operated by EDPR
- Middlebrook Solar Farm - Solar (363 MW) + BESS (320 MW/813 MWh) operated by Total Energies Renewables Australia
- Tallawang Solar Hybrid - Solar (500 MW) + BESS (500 MW/1000 MWh) operated by Potentia Energy, in the Central-West Orana REZ
Victoria (Vic)
- Corop Solar Farm and BESS - Solar (230 MW) + BESS (290 MW/704 MWh) operated by BNRG Leeson
- Derby Solar Project - Solar (95 MW) + BESS (95 MW/210 MWh) operated by Sungrow
- Hexham Wind Farm (600 MW) operated by AGL
- Nowingi Solar Power Station - Solar (300 MW) + BESS (300 MW/1200 MWh) operated by Edify Energy
Queensland (Qld)
- Gawara Baya - Wind (399 MW) + BESS (104 MW/217 MWh) operated by Windlab
- Guthrie's Gap Solar Power Station - Solar (300 MW) + BESS (300 MW/1200 MWh) operated by Edify Energy
- Lower Wonga Solar Farm (281 MW) operated by Lightsource BP
- Moah Creek Wind Farm (360 MW) operated by Central Queensland Power (CQP)
- Punchs Creek Solar Farm - Solar (400 MW) + BESS (400 MW/1600 MWh) operated by EDPR
- Smoky Creek Solar Power Station - Solar (300 MW) + BESS (300 MW/1200 MWh) operated by Edify Energy
South Australia (SA)
- Bundey BESS and Solar - Solar (240 MW) + BESS (300 MW/1200 MWh) operated by Genaspi Energy Group
- Carmody's Hill Wind Farm (247 MW) operated by Aula Energy
- Willogoleche 2 Wind Farm (108 MW) operated by ENGIE and Foresight
Tasmania
- Bell Bay Wind Farm (224 MW) operated by Equis
These projects will support local communities and First Nations partners.
Throughout the life of the assets, the projects are estimated to provide:
- over 12,000 construction jobs
- over 1,000 operations and maintenance jobs
- 190 full time equivalent positions for apprentices in trades.
In total, the projects represent:
- Local content - over $17 billion
- Australian steel - over $1.1 billion
- Shared community benefits - $291 million
- First Nations benefits - $348 million
What's Next
This follows the opening of 2 tenders for Western Australia - Tender 5 - WEM Generation and Tender 6 - WEM Dispatchable. Bids close on 7 November 2025.
Future tenders include:
- Tender 7 - NEM Generation (opening mid-October 2025)
- Tender 8 - NEM Dispatchable Capacity (estimated to open November 2025).
More tenders are planned for 2026.
To help drive the transition to net zero, the Australian Government has set a target to reduce emissions to 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035. This is the next step on our path to net zero.
