Key facts
- Australia will tender 1.8GW of new renewable energy capacity in Western Australia.
- The tender is part of the national Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS).
- Bids will be accepted between August 27 and October 22.
- Results are expected in March 2027.
- A minimum of 180MW is reserved for First Nations groups.
- Projects must be deliverable and able to attract financing.
The Australian government is launching a new tender for 1.8GW of renewable energy capacity in Western Australia as part of its national Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS). Projects under this tender are expected to be completed by 2030 and will contribute to the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM).
Registrations for bids will open on August 27 and close on October 22, with results anticipated in March 2027. While specific generation types have not yet been detailed, eligible projects can include solar, wind, and hydropower, with a minimum nameplate capacity of 30MW per project.
For the first time, project proponents must join the government's new Developer Rating Scheme, which assesses credentials to enhance community confidence. A minimum of 180MW is specifically reserved for native First Nations groups, with optional equity or revenue sharing arrangements encouraged. Projects will also need to comply with WA's Reserve Capacity Mechanism to ensure reliable power supply.
The government stated that this tender will place a greater emphasis on project deliverability, including their capacity to secure financing. To date, CIS tenders have already supported 1.9GW of renewable generation and 482MW of storage in Western Australia, with two earlier projects totaling 250MW currently under construction.
Australia's broader goal is to tender 40GW of renewable generation and dispatchable capacity under the CIS by 2026-27 to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030. Previous CIS tenders have awarded 22.7GW of clean generation and approximately 1.62GW/62.7GWh of energy storage.