Australia Launches CIS Tender 8 to Boost Dispatchable Clean Energy Capacity

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 Deliver

Specifically, 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 Timeline

Developers 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 Achievements

The 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 2030

The 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 8

This 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.

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