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Australia is boosting shift to commercial EV fleets
is no surprise the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is looking to boost the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). According to the government’s 2018
Oct 10, 2019 // Markets & Finance News, Transport, Australia, Oceania, Darren Miller, Ausgrid, NRMA, Dan Hilson
Wärtsilä to deliver record DC-coupled hybrid battery in Australia NEM
to deliver what it calls the largest DC-coupled hybrid battery system in Australia’s National Electricity Market, a project sized to power up to 120,000
Oct 30, 2025 // Storage, Australia, solar-plus-storage, NEM, Oceania, Wärtsilä, DC-coupled storage
Australia Boosts Renewable Target to 40 GW by 2030
Australia's federal government has increased its Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) target to 40 GW of new renewable and dispatchable capacity by 2030, adding 8 GW to the program. This expansion aims to unlock approximately AUD 73 billion in private capital for large-scale batteries, solar farms, and wind projects. Of the additional capacity, 5 GW is designated for storage and 3 GW for new generation assets, supporting the national goal of sourcing 82% of electricity from renewables by 2030. The CIS offers long-term revenue underwriting to de-risk investments, a strategy praised by the Clean Energy Council.Critics argue that the scheme requires faster grid-connection approvals and better planning coordination to avoid becoming a bottleneck. Rystad Energy highlights ongoing challenges such as turbine-price spikes and curtailment risks that could hinder wind investment. Despite these concerns, companies like Neoen and Origin have shown interest in upcoming auctions due to improved revenue visibility. The government plans to conduct two national tenders annually, focusing on firming capacity and renewable generation, with the first round in 2026 targeting battery systems in New South Wales and Queensland. If fully realized, the scheme could power 23 million Australian homes, bolstering Australia's status as a renewables leader.
How will Australia's expanded CIS target impact renewable energy investment and grid challenges?
The expanded CIS target is expected to significantly boost renewable energy investment by providing a more attractive and secure environment for investors, potentially accelerating the deployment of large-scale renewable projects across Australia.
By increasing the target to 40 GW, the scheme aims to attract approximately AUD 73 billion in private capital, which could lead to a surge in the construction of solar farms, wind projects, and battery storage systems.
The allocation of 5 GW for storage and 3 GW for new generation assets is designed to enhance grid stability and reliability, addressing one of the key challenges in integrating a higher share of renewables into the energy mix.
The long-term revenue underwriting offered by the CIS reduces financial risks for investors, making it easier for companies to secure funding and commit to large-scale projects.
Faster grid-connection approvals and improved planning coordination are essential to prevent delays and ensure that new projects can be integrated into the grid efficiently.
Addressing turbine-price spikes and curtailment risks is crucial to maintaining investor confidence and ensuring the economic viability of wind energy projects.
The government's plan to conduct two national tenders annually will provide regular opportunities for companies to participate in the scheme, fostering a competitive market environment and encouraging innovation.
The focus on firming capacity and renewable generation in the tenders will help balance supply and demand, reducing the risk of blackouts and enhancing energy security.
If successful, the scheme could power 23 million Australian homes, significantly contributing to the national goal of sourcing 82% of electricity from renewables by 2030 and reinforcing Australia's position as a global leader in renewable energy.
Jul 30, 2025 // Markets & Finance News, Australia, Oceania
Australia's NEM Hits Record 47.2% Solar, Wind Share
Australia's National Electricity Market achieved a new milestone with utility-scale solar and wind supplying a record 47.2% of grid electricity. This shift highlights the rapid transformation of the energy generation landscape, driven by increased commissioning of photovoltaic systems, onshore wind, and battery storage. Enhanced controls are enabling the shift of solar energy from midday to evening, crucial as coal power phases out. Hybrid assets and long-duration storage are becoming essential for maintaining grid reliability while advancing decarbonization.Operators are utilizing co-located batteries to store excess daytime solar output for use during higher-demand periods, complementing demand-side flexibility programs in South Australia and Victoria. This strategy supports the integration of renewable energy and favors proven battery technologies and plant-level controls for fast frequency response. Policy initiatives, such as Western Australia's Capacity Investment Scheme, are promoting dispatchable clean capacity, encouraging standardized hybrid designs and efficient project execution. If current trends continue, the period from 2026 to 2028 will see significant storage integration alongside photovoltaic expansion.
How is Australia's electricity market transforming with increased solar and wind energy integration?
Increased investment in renewable energy infrastructure, including large-scale solar farms and wind turbines, is driving the transformation of Australia's electricity market.
The integration of advanced battery storage systems is crucial for balancing supply and demand, allowing excess renewable energy to be stored and used during peak demand periods.
Policy frameworks and government incentives are supporting the transition to renewable energy, encouraging investment in clean energy technologies and infrastructure.
The development of smart grid technologies is enhancing the efficiency and reliability of electricity distribution, facilitating the integration of variable renewable energy sources.
The phase-out of coal-fired power plants is accelerating the shift towards a more sustainable energy mix, with renewables increasingly filling the gap left by retiring fossil fuel capacity.
Collaboration between energy companies, technology providers, and government agencies is fostering innovation and the deployment of new energy solutions.
Public awareness and support for renewable energy are growing, contributing to increased adoption of solar panels and other clean energy technologies at the residential and commercial levels.
The electricity market is adapting to new regulatory and market structures that prioritize renewable energy integration and grid stability.
Research and development in renewable energy technologies are leading to more efficient and cost-effective solutions, further driving the market transformation.
The focus on decarbonization and achieving net-zero emissions targets is a key driver of the ongoing changes in Australia's electricity market.
Sep 1, 2025 // Plants, Large-Scale, Grids, Australia, NEM, Oceania
Greek Developer Mytilineos Secures Funding for 230 MW Solar Projects in Australia
the last closing of the secondly of projects pipe that come from Mytilineos in Australia.
Mytilineos claimed that the financing assistance for the solar projects has
Jan 17, 2023 // Markets & Finance News, Australia, Oceania, Westpac, ANZ, Mytilineos, australia renewable energy, Kingaroy, Moura, three solar farms, Wyalong
Australia's initial energy scale solar farm is currently four times larger
River was the very first energy scale solar farm to be integrated in Australia, as well as opened up in 2012, supplying power to the neighborhood
Oct 9, 2020 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, Australia, Oceania, solar farm, Tom Frood
Native shrubs and also photovoltaic panels operating in tandem in South Australia
Australian energy SA Water is growing nearly a lots of indigenous grass and also saltbush seed under hundreds of solar panels across the state to safeguard the
Jul 21, 2020 // Technology, Markets & Finance News, Australia, Oceania, PV panel, SA Water
Australia's Ambitious $16 Billion Solar Project Will Be The World's Biggest
high-voltage line to transfer 3 GW to Darwin on the north coastline of Australia's Northern Territory. From there, it would certainly move to a 3,700 km 2.2 GW
Nov 24, 2020 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, Storage, NREL, Australia, Oceania, Siemens, Solar Project
Australia opens 5-GW CIS tender to accelerate NEM renewables build-out
Australia has opened registrations and bids for its seventh Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender, targeting contracts for 5 GW of new renewable generation across the National Electricity Market (NEM). The round is designed to push a larger pipeline of shovel-ready wind and solar over the line, while aligning delivery with transmission upgrades and the retirement schedule of aging coal units.
CIS contracts function as revenue-stabilizing instruments. By offering long-term certainty around project cash flows, they reduce financing costs and help sponsors lock in scarce equipment—particularly transformers, switchgear and grid-forming inverter packages that remain pacing items. For governments and consumers, the structure keeps competitive tension high at auction while focusing on timely delivery and grid services, not just nameplate megawatts.
This 5-GW tender leans into system needs. Daytime solar helps cut fuel costs and emissions, but the NEM’s challenge is the evening ramp. Expect a strong showing from projects with hybrid-ready designs: single-axis trackers and high-efficiency modules paired with plant controllers that can provide reactive power, fault ride-through and rapid curtailment response. Many bidders will preserve pad space and transformer headroom for future batteries, if not propose co-located storage on day one to shift energy into peak hours and deliver fast frequency support.
Community expectations are now built into the playbook. Successful bids typically arrive with credible consultation records, biodiversity enhancements (species-rich grasslands, habitat buffers), construction traffic plans and visual mitigation. On the grid side, projects close to strengthened substations and along planned Renewable Energy Zones will score for deliverability and reduced curtailment risk.
The tender also acknowledges the practicalities of supply chains. Portfolio bids that standardize equipment across multiple sites can compress timelines and lower levelized costs. Unified SCADA and analytics allow operators to optimize tracker algorithms, cleaning cycles and inverter setpoints—small improvements that compound over years.
Taken together, the seventh CIS tender is less about headline capacity and more about system shape—adding megawatts where the NEM can use them most, and ensuring the next wave of projects arrives bankably, buildably, and with flexibility in mind. Submissions now give way to bidder diligence and shortlisting, with a premium on projects that can move swiftly from award to energization.
Oct 15, 2025 // Plants, UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR, Australia, NEM, Oceania, procurement, Capacity Investment Scheme
Australia's top solar study institution arrests $19m in new financing
Australian Centre for Advance Photovoltaics, based at the University of NSW, will certainly use the funds to prolong its world-leading research study right into new
Dec 14, 2020 // Technology, Markets & Finance News, Australia, solar cell, Oceania, University of NSW, fuel materials, Renate Egan
Australia's AGL Energy Program to Invest $13B in Renewable Energy by 2036
the biggest emitter and also the biggest personal financier in renewables in Australia to impact the rate of Australia's decarbonization.
" The strategic
Sep 30, 2022 // Markets & Finance News, clean energy, Renewable Energy, International, green energy, AGL Energy Ltd., Australian energy generator and retailer
Solar PV, wind continue to be most inexpensive generation technologies in Australia
wind it is AU$ 45-- 57/MWh, according to the yearly GenCost report released by Australian national scientific research agency CSIRO.
Comparative, the LCOE of a black
Dec 20, 2021 // Markets & Finance News, Australia, LCOE, Oceania, CSIRO, cost declines
Australia to redirect $337.8m in aid to Pacific neighbors for renewables
Australian federal government’s reticence in taking meaningful action on climate change and emissions reduction has come under fire from leaders of neighboring
Aug 13, 2019 // Markets & Finance News, Policy, Australia, Pacific Islands Forum, Scott Morrison, Frank Bainimarama
Solar implementation in Australia 'substantially higher' than previously forecast
according to a report from the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), which has located that 763MW of brand-new large-scale solar capability was contributed
May 24, 2021 // Markets & Finance News, UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR, Australia, rooftop PV, Oceania, grid congestion, power security
Australia's secretive protection procedures HQ to obtain 1.9 MW solar farm
to the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) center, which houses Australia's the majority of senior protection leadership, and also is where
Jul 3, 2020 // Plants, Large-Scale, Australia, Oceania, HQJOC, Linda Reynolds, David Neal






