Australia’s CIS Tender 7 Delivers 7.8 GW Renewables, Surpassing Target by 56 %

*TL;DR – CIS Tender 7 granted 19 renewable projects that total 7.8 GW, exceeding the 5 GW goal by 56 % and adding more than 2 GW of battery storage.*

Context The Australian government’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) opened Tender 7 in October 2025 to close the gap between existing generation and the nation’s emissions‑reduction targets. Fifty‑three bids offered 18.6 GW of capacity, but only 19 were selected.

Key Facts - The awarded projects deliver 7.8 GW of generation across the National Electricity Market, 4.8 GW from wind and 3 GW from solar. - Eight hybrid developments combine wind or solar with batteries, providing more than 2 GW of generation and 7.9 GWh of storage. - New South Wales receives the largest share with nine projects (≈3.9 GW generation, 6.4 GWh storage); Queensland follows with five projects (≈2.7 GW generation, 1.5 GWh storage). - The Yanco Delta Wind Farm in NSW, at 1.5 GW, becomes Australia’s biggest wind farm. - Hybrid projects such as the 1.15 GW Bungaban Wind Energy Project (QLD) and the 600 MW Birriwa Solar (NSW) include 1.4 GWh and 2.4 GWh of battery capacity respectively. - Construction will employ over 19,000 workers; more than 1,500 long‑term operations and maintenance jobs are expected.

What It Means Awarding 7.8 GW—over half again the original target—signals heightened urgency to replace coal‑derived power. The strong presence of hybrid projects shows a policy shift toward dispatchable renewable energy that can smooth supply fluctuations. By integrating 7.9 GWh of storage, the tender addresses grid stability, a key barrier to higher renewable penetration.

The scale of job creation also underscores the economic dimension of the transition, with tens of thousands of roles tied to construction and ongoing plant upkeep. As New South Wales reaches its CIS allocation ceiling, future federal tenders will likely see other states, especially Victoria and South Australia, capture a larger share of new capacity.

Looking Ahead Watch for contract finalisation details, the rollout timeline for the hybrid facilities, and the next CIS tender round, which will test whether the current momentum can be sustained across Australia’s remaining states.