NSW announces largest ever boost to renewable power
The NSW Government has announced it is launching what it says is the biggest renewable energy tender in the state’s history, seeking enough new generation to power about one-third of homes across NSW.
Tender 8 is seeking 2.5 GW of renewable energy, making it the largest generation Long-Term Energy Service Agreement tender under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. The tender will be run by the independent Consumer Trustee, AusEnergy Service Limited (ASL). Once awarded, it will pave the way for NSW to achieve up to 90% of its renewable energy generation target of 12 GW by 2030.
At the same time, ASL will open Tender 9, seeking up to 12 GWh of long-duration storage.
NSW is already on track to exceed its long-duration storage targets for 2030 and 2034. The government is now seeking to unlock 50% more capacity beyond those benchmarks, to build a stronger pipeline of projects and a more reliable electricity system for NSW.
Long-duration storage is critical for reliability, as it allows energy to be stored for extended periods and dispatched when demand is high or when weather conditions are not ideal for renewables to generate power. Eligible technologies include large-scale batteries and pumped hydro projects.
To adapt to the rapidly evolving market and improvements in battery technology, Tender 8 will also be the first to introduce a new Hybrid Generation Long-Term Energy Service Agreement product, allowing applicants to combine solar or wind generation with battery storage in a single project. This will make it easier for investors to bring forward projects that deliver the best outcomes for consumers.
“This is the largest renewable generation tender in NSW history, and it shows just how serious we are about delivering cheaper and more reliable power for households and businesses,” said Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe. “Tender 8 alone will deliver enough energy to power about one-third of homes in NSW, marking a major step forward in our plan to future‑proof NSW’s electricity system. Tender 9 ensures we can store renewable energy, so it can be released on demand when needed, making our grid more stable and reliable.”
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