Australia’s CIS Tender 1 catalyzes 3.6 GWh of colocated storage

The first tender of Australia’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) has delivered 6.38 GW of renewables generation projects, which collectively will provide power to 3 million households.

The CIS was set up by the federal government to drive more dispatchable clean energy for wholesale market the National Electricity Market.

Some 63% of the renewables sites will be solar projects, supported by more than 3.5 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Allocation by state sees New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria both awarded seven bids, amounting to 3.7 GW plus 904 MWh of battery energy storage, and 1.6 GW plus 1,458 MWh of energy storage , respectively.

Two projects in South Australia will generate 574 MW and three in Queensland amount to 550 MW plus 1.2 GWh of storage.

As well as meaningful and contractually binding social licence agreements, the projects include AUD 660 million ($422 million) for community development initiatives, AUD 280 million for First Nations benefits, and more than AUD 14 billion invested in local suppliers and businesses.

A further AUD 60 million has been allocated to local employment opportunities and new jobs and training programs, including apprenticeships and renewable energy education initiatives.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the government is delivering Australian households and businesses an energy system that is lowest cost, more reliable, and better equipped to power Australian homes and businesses now and into the future.

“We are also making sure that the communities who host these projects see the benefits of them – with strong commitment to use Australian manufacturing and hire local people.”

Successful solar and solar-plus-storage developers include Ireland-headquartered Elgin Energy and London-based Lightsource bp, which both won three bids apiece; Sydney-based Edify Energy, with two; and one each for ACS (CIMIC Group company Pacific Partnerships); China’s Risen Energy; European Energy Australia; and Gentari, a subsidiary of Malaysian headquartered fossil fuel giant Petronas.

Elgin’s bids were fruitful for its NSW-based, 60 MW Glanmire solar farm and 104 MWh BESS, and in Victoria, for its 250 MW Barwon solar farm, supported by 500 MWh BESS, and the 125 MW Elaine Solar farm, bolstered by a 250 MWh BESS.

In NSW, Lightsource bp’s 700 MW Sandy Creek and 450 MW Goulburn River solar farms won bids and the company’s third successful project is the Victorian, 300 MW West Mokoan solar farm with 560 MWh BESS.

Both of Edify’s bid wins are located in Queensland and are for two solar power stations: the 600 MW Majors Creek solar with 600 MWh BESS project, and the 150 MW Ganymirra solar site, with 600 MWh BESS.

Also in Queensland, ACS’ bid is for the 250 MW Hopeland solar farm, and further single-bid wins went to European Energy Australia’s 46 MW Mokoan solar farm; Gentari’s 64 MW Barnawartha solar site, with 138.8 MWh BESS; and Risen, for the 205 MW Campbells Forest solar farm.

Most of the winning projects are expected to begin operating between 2026 and 2028.

From pv magazine Australia.