The Australian national government has released the results of Tender 4 under the Capacity Investment Scheme, a scheme that supports domestic clean energy projects to help the country meet its 82% renewable energy target.
In the latest round, the government awarded contracts to 20 projects with a combined capacity of 6.6GW, exceeding the original 6GW target.
Of these 20 projects, 12 are hybrid schemes that combine battery storage with wind or solar generation, contributing more than 3,500MW of capacity.
Several successful bids include commitments to local content and community measures, with multiple projects proposing the use of Australian steel and one project indicating 100% local steel input.
Three projects include revenue‑sharing arrangements with indigenous First Nations communities, and other projects have pledged subcontracting, training, and workforce development with First Nations groups.
Ten projects have proposed community energy rebate schemes. One project plans to install rooftop solar on homes and a school while another will install a public electric vehicle charger.
The selected projects are spread across multiple states in the country. In New South Wales, the awards comprise Bendemeer Energy Hub, Dinawan Wind Farm Stage 1, Liverpool Range Wind Stage 1, Merino Solar Farm, Middlebrook Solar Farm, and Tallawang Solar Hybrid.
In Victoria, the successful projects are Corop Solar Farm and BESS, Derby Solar Project, Hexham Wind Farm, and Nowingi Solar Power Station.
In South Australia, the awards include Bundey BESS and Solar, Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm, and Willogoleche 2 Wind Farm, with the remaining projects located across Tasmania and Queensland.
The announcement follows the opening of two Western Australian tenders - Tender 5 (WEM Generation) and Tender 6 (WEM Dispatchable) - for which bids close on 7 November 2025.
Tender 7 (NEM Generation) is due to open later this month and Tender 8 (NEM Dispatchable Capacity) is expected to open in November 2025. Further tenders are planned for 2026.
In a move to transition to net zero, the federal government has set a national emissions reduction target of 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035.
