Joint media release: Big Batteries to power 3.7 million Australian households
(CIS) is delivering the storage Australia needs to keep the lights on and power more than 3.7 million east coast households in the evening, putting downward pressure on energy prices for everyone. Through CIS Tender 8, 15 successful energy storage projects with a total capacity of 4.2 GW / 16.1 GWh will see large batteries built in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
These batteries will store cheap renewable energy when it is abundant and dispatch it when households and businesses need it most, putting downward pressure on prices and strengthening the reliability of the grid. The strength and quality of the bids was clear, with proposed capacity exceeding the tender target by almost 5 to one. The Coalition's plan is to stop renewables and batteries, sweat coal, and leave Australians to pick up the bill of global shocks.
Our plan is to unlock private investment in the cleaner, cheaper energy that Australian households and businesses need, building a more secure energy grid, less vulnerable to conflicts overseas. The 15 successful Tender 8 projects will unlock around $6 billion in private investment and deliver an estimated $343 million in benefits for local communities and Australian industry.
This includes $62 million in community benefits and $52 million for the use of Australian steel. Altogether, the projects are expected to create more than 6,800 jobs across construction, operations and maintenance. Building on the strong response to Tender 8 and other CIS success stories, Tender 10 will target a further 4 GW / 16 GWh of clean dispatchable capacity across the NEM.
This Tender is now open for bids until 18 August 2026. Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen “Our Capacity Investment Scheme is turning Australia’s pipeline of clean energy projects into jobs in regional communities and cheaper, more reliable power for millions of homes. “We’ve got the best sun and wind in the world, and we’re using our sovereign renewables, stored in batteries, to shield our grid from global energy volatility and to bring down your energy bills.
“These batteries will soak up cheap renewable energy during the day and send it back into the grid when demand is highest, helping keep the lights on and bills down.” Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson “Through the CIS we’re making strong progress to delivering 82% renewable electricity by 2030 through delivering cheaper, cleaner and more reliable electricity to power Australia’s homes and businesses.
“As we saw with a record boost to Australia’s main electricity grid through CIS Tender 7 just one month ago, renewable energy investors know that renewables are the future and fossil fuels are the past – that’s why they’re scrambling to subscribe to the CIS. “Coming off the back of the two best quarters for renewable energy, and as we see coal and gas generation in decline, these 15 large battery storage projects will help drive even more investment in cleaner, cheaper, secure energy across the NEM.” The 15 successful projects are: Capacity (MW) Capacity (MWh) Blanche BESS Potentia Energy Compton, SA Bulabul 1 Battery Wuuluman, NSW Byellee BESS Byelee, QLD Emeroo BESS Potentia Energy Wami Kata, SA Ganymirra Energy Storage System Edify Energy Majors Creek, QLD Gelston Energy Park Ascera Energy McCullys Gap, NSW Grahams Battery Majors Creek Energy Storage System Edify Energy Majors Creek, QLD Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub Side B Equis Australia Plumpton, Vic Moorabool Battery HMC Capital Moorabool, Vic Oaky Creek BESS Akaysha Energy Ellesmere, QLD Ridgey Creek BESS Potentia Energy Parkes, NSW Rutherglen Battery Bororen, QLD Wimpole Battery Bunyip North, Vic Woonga Creek BESS Lightsource bp Lower Wonga, QLD We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.