Australia awards more than 3.6GW of new wind projects in tender

More than 3.6GW of new onshore wind projects were awarded by the government of Australia in its latest renewable energy auction. 

by Orlando Jenkinson 12 December 2024

Wind turbines on a hill near Canberra, Australia (pic credit: David Gray/Getty Images)

Australia’s environment and energy department announced the results of the first tender under the capacity investment scheme (CIS) on Wednesday (11 December), with more than 6GW of new renewable energy capacity awarded across 19 wind, solar and battery storage projects. 

The states of Victoria and New South Wales in the country’s south-east secured seven new renewable energy projects each, while three were awarded in the north-east state of Queensland, and two in South Australia. 

The largest wind project that secured development rights in the auction is the 936MW Valley of the Winds project, currently being developed by renewables company Acen Australia in New South Wales. 

A total of 3.625GW of new wind energy capacity was awarded in the tender across seven projects. 

All the wind farms and developers that were successful in the auction are listed below: 

  • 936MW Valley of the Winds, Acen Australia (New South Wales)
  • 700MW Spicers Creek, Squadron Energy (New South Wales)
  • 230MW Thunderbolt, Neoen (New South Wales)
  • 585MW Junction Rivers, Windlab (New South Wales)  
  • 600MW Kentbruck, Neoen (Victoria) 
  • 300MW Goyder North Stage 1, Neoen (South Australia) 
  • 274MW Palmer, Tilt Renewables (South Australia) 

The 19 successful bids that secured tender in the auction were chosen from a list of 84 submissions, the Australian energy and environment department said. 

The department added that all bids were scrutinised across a range of criteria including the project’s likelihood of lowering wholesale energy market prices, delivering system reliability, and proposed benefits to local communities and First Nations Australians including expected job creation. 

“The Albanese Labor 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,” said energy and environment minister Chris Bowen, referencing Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese. 

“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.”