Australia Opens Bidding in 4-GW NEM Dispatchable Tender: A Major Boost for Energy Storage
03 Dec 2025
Australia has taken another decisive step toward strengthening its clean energy future with the launch of Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 8, the country’s largest-ever single procurement round for energy storage. The tender, officially opened by the government on Friday, seeks 4 GW / 16 GWh of dispatchable capacity to support the National Electricity Market (NEM) - equivalent to powering the peak electricity demand of 3.7 million homes for four hours.This new tender marks a significant milestone in Australia’s efforts to accelerate renewable energy adoption, enhance grid reliability, and reach its national target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.Key dates for CIS tender 8Registration deadline: January 23, 2026 Bid submission deadline: February 6, 2026 Announcement of successful projects: June 2026 With a procurement scope of 16 GWh, Tender 8 surpasses previous rounds and positions itself as the most ambitious energy storage tender in CIS history.What Tender 8 Aims to DeliverTender 8 targets dispatchable energy storage solutions, primarily large-scale batteries, to manage peak demand and stabilise the grid. This round will complement the earlier CIS Tender 3, which jointly awarded 4.13 GW / 15.37 GWh across 16 projects to be completed by 2029.Together, these tenders form a critical backbone of Australia’s transition to a renewable-powered future.New Flexibility: Permitted Aggregated ProjectsA key innovation in Tender 8 is the introduction of aggregated bids.Unlike previous tenders, developers can now group multiple standalone projects into a single bid, provided they meet the following criteria: Combined capacity of 5 MW to 30 MW Minimum 2-hour storage duration All projects must use the same technology All must be located within the same NEM region This change opens the door for smaller players, regional developers, and community-level storage solutions, enabling broader participation in Australia’s energy transition.Priority for Projects Commissioned Before 2030Under updated evaluation rules, the government will prioritise: Projects scheduled for commissioning by December 2030 Proposals set to begin commercial operation after 2030 will be rated as low merit and will not advance in the assessment process. This ensures Tender 8’s outcomes directly contribute to achieving the national 82% renewables target.A Single-Stage, Competitive ProcessTender 8 will be conducted as a single-stage competitive round, streamlining the bidding process and enabling faster evaluation and award. With rising energy demand, accelerating electrification, and ongoing coal plant retirements, this tender is expected to play a vital role in: Improving grid reliability Supporting renewable integration Reducing wholesale energy volatility Attracting new investment across Australia’s clean energy sector Australia’s Push Toward a Stable, Renewable FutureWith 18.8 GW of capacity already announced across previous CIS rounds and another 7.2 GW in active tenders, Australia is rapidly building the infrastructure needed to ensure a resilient and sustainable energy system.CIS Tender 8 represents the next big leap - unlocking massive investments in large-scale batteries and paving the way for a modern, flexible, and renewable-powered grid.Latest Government Tenders and Contract Awards in Australia - AustraliaTendersAustraliaTenders - Your trusted source for latest government tenders, RFPs, RFQs, and contract awards in Australia Stay updated with the latest public procurement opportunities and tender notices in Australia at AustraliaTenders Find all Australia government tenders, eProcurement updates, and contract award notices on AustraliaTendersExplore live tenders, bids, and procurement opportunities in Australia with AustraliaTenders - The Australia tender portalAustraliaTenders brings you verified tenders, procurement news, and contract awards from Australia.#AustraliaEnergy #CISTender8 #EnergyStorage #BatteryStorage #DispatchableCapacity #RenewableEnergy #NationalElectricityMarket #NEM #CleanEnergyTransition #GridStability #EnergyTender #UtilityScaleBattery #GreenEnergyAustralia #EnergyPolicy #Renewables2030 #EnergyInvestment #ClimateAction #SustainableEnergy #PowerInfrastructure #EnergySecurity
Read More
Australia Launches CIS Tender 8 to Boost Dispatchable Clean Energy Capacity
03 Dec 2025
Australia has officially opened the eighth round of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), marking another major stride towards strengthening the nation’s renewable energy transition. This latest tender aims to add 16 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean, dispatchable energy storage to the National Electricity Market (NEM) - enough to power the peak load of 3.7 million homes for four hours.The move underscores the Australian Government’s commitment to achieving 82% renewable energy by 2030, with the CIS serving as a central pillar of this ambitious plan.What CIS Tender 8 Aims to DeliverSpecifically, dispatchable energy storage - especially batteries - that can provide dependable power during times of high demand is the focus of the CIS Tender 8. As Australia increases its renewable generation from wind and solar, dispatchable storage is essential to maintain grid stability and avoid reliance on fossil fuel peaker plants.Important Points of CIS Tender 8 16 GWh of clean, dispatchable energy storage capacity Sufficient to power 3.7 million homes for 4 hours Pay attention to batteries and related energy storage technologies. Encourages participation from both standalone and aggregated projects Together, the combined bids must provide between 5 and 30 MW. Smaller standalone systems from various developers or locations can combine their capabilities into a single bid through aggregated projects, boosting competition and facilitating wider participation.CIS Tender 8 TimelineDevelopers and interested parties must keep track of two key dates: Registration ends on January 23, 2026. Bid submission deadline: 6 February 2026 Project developers have plenty of time to organise proposals, obtain funding, and create compliance documentation thanks to these timelines.Expanding on Prior CIS AchievementsThe CIS has quickly emerged as one of Australia's most influential frameworks for renewable investment. So far, the programme has: Announced 18.8 GW of clean energy capacity Put an additional 7.2 GW out for tender backed reliability projects for batteries, renewable energy, transmissions, and gas. attracted a large number of both domestic and foreign developers. With each round, the CIS is helping strengthen grid reliability, reduce emissions, and encourage innovation in energy storage technologies.Supporting Australia’s Path to 82% Renewables by 2030The Australian Government’s target of reaching 82% renewable electricity by 2030 requires substantial new investment in: 40 GW of additional capacity for renewable energy Long-duration and short-duration energy storage Upgrades to transmissions Flexible gas support to ensure reliability By making dispatchable storage possible, CIS Tender 8 plays a crucial role in balancing the sporadic supply from renewable energy sources like solar and wind.Australia can lower blackouts, stabilise electricity prices, and guarantee clean energy is available when customers need it most by securing large-scale storage.The Significance of CIS Tender 8This tender reinforces the country’s strategy to transition from coal and reduce dependence on natural gas for peaking power. The CIS gives developers long-term revenue certainty as energy storage technologies advance and become more affordable, allowing for the quicker deployment of next-generation grid infrastructure.The outcome of this tender will shape the future of Australia’s electricity market, supporting both decarbonisation and reliability.Latest Government Tenders and Contract Awards in Australia - AustraliaTendersAustraliaTenders - Your trusted source for latest government tenders, RFPs, RFQs, and contract awards in Australia Stay updated with the latest public procurement opportunities and tender notices in Australia at AustraliaTenders Find all Australia government tenders, eProcurement updates, and contract award notices on AustraliaTendersExplore live tenders, bids, and procurement opportunities in Australia with AustraliaTenders - The Australia tender portalAustraliaTenders brings you verified tenders, procurement news, and contract awards from Australia. #AustraliaEnergy #CISTender8 #EnergyStorage #DispatchablePower #BatteryStorage #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergyTransition #NationalElectricityMarket #AustraliaRenewables #GridStability #GreenInfrastructure #EnergyPolicy #SustainableEnergy #ClimateAction #EnergyInvestment #EnergySecurity #NetZero #SolarAndStorage #WindAndStorage #EnergyInnovation
Read More
Australia Launches 16 GWh Dispatchable Energy Storage Tender Under the Capacity Investment Scheme
03 Dec 2025
Australia has taken another major step towards strengthening its clean-energy future with the launch of Tender 8 under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), seeking 16 GWh of dispatchable energy storage - equivalent to 4 GW of four-hour batteries across the National Electricity Market (NEM).As the nation accelerates its transition away from coal, the tender will support large-scale batteries that can power 3.7 million homes for four hours during peak demand, increasing reliability.Bids will be accepted through February 6, 2026, with registration closing on January 23, 2026.Australia's Energy Storage Pipeline Gets a Significant BoostThe latest tender marks a significant expansion of Australia’s national storage capacity. Battery developers - both large and small - can now compete, as CIS Tender 8 allows aggregated bids, enabling multiple smaller dispatchable projects to group together and supply between 5 MW and 30 MW to the grid.The action is indicative of the growing influence of regional and small-scale developers in Australia's renewable energy market.Important Tender Highlights Seeking dispatchable storage capacity of 16 GWh/4 GW Capable of powering 3.7 million homes during peak hours helps maintain grid stability as older coal-fired power plants retire Opens the door for aggregated small-scale project participation Builds on 18.8 GW already announced under the CIS helps achieve the government's 2030 target of 40 GW more capacity. helps achieve the goal of 82% renewable electricity by 2030. Driving Investment, Lowering Prices, Strengthening the GridThe CIS is central to Australia’s commitment to delivering firm renewable energy at scale.Announced CIS projects to date include over $37 billion in commitments, covering: Local job creation Regional and community benefits Local supply chain development Participation and economic inclusion of First Nations It is anticipated that Tender 8 will enhance these advantages even more, bolstering the domestic renewable energy sector and assisting in the stabilisation of electricity prices by boosting supply and competition.Track Record of Earlier CIS TendersAustralia’s previous CIS tender rounds have set strong precedents:CIS Pilot (NSW) - November 2023 Six VPP and battery projects were chosen. Over 1 GW capacity added produced 400 jobs Tender 1: Generation of NEM 19 projects received 6 GW. Tender 2 - WEM Dispatchable 654 MW / 2.6 GWh awarded (over a 0.5 GW target) Tender 3 - NEM Dispatchable Awarded 4.13 GW / 15.37 GWh, exceeding expectations Tender 4: Generation National 6.6 GW awarded across 20 projects According to the findings, Australia's large-scale storage market is one of the fastest-growing in the world.Conclusion: An Important Step in Australia's Transition to Clean EnergyTender 8 signals Australia’s commitment to delivering a reliable, renewable-powered grid backed by large-scale batteries and innovative energy storage solutions.As electricity demand rises and ageing fossil fuel stations retire, the CIS provides the mechanism to secure long-term, dispatchable energy and ensure affordable, sustainable power for millions of consumers.Australia is rapidly becoming a global leader in firm renewable energy infrastructure, with registrations now open and bidding scheduled for early 2026.#Morocco #WaterConservation #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateResilience #WaterManagement #EnvironmentalProjects #InfrastructureInvestment #GreenEconomy #MoroccoNews #UrbanDevelopment #Sustainability #WaterSecurity #PublicInfrastructure #EcoProjects #GlobalDevelopment #RenewableResources #CleanWaterInitiatives #GovernmentTenders #SmartWaterSolutions #ClimateAction
Read More