Jobs, skills and community boost in latest renewables capacity surge

The Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) has delivered another massive boost to the nation’s dispatchable, clean energy capability, attracting more battery storage than initially sought and generating major capacity-building benefits.

CIS Tender 3 targeted 4 GW (16 GWh) of dispatchable capacity in the National Electricity Market (NEM), but saw 124 bids worth around 34 GW (~135 GWh) bid in.

The 16 successful projects, all lithium-ion batteries, will deliver 4.13 GW (15.37 GWh) by the end of 2029. This is enough storage to support the peak load of more than 3.5 million households in the National Electricity Market.

Australian manufacturers, TAFE students, steel makers and First Nations communities will benefit from this latest round of the Albanese Government’s delivery of the modern energy system Australians deserve with locally made renewables infrastructure.

Combined, these projects are estimated to provide around 1,900 construction jobs and 100-plus operations and maintenance jobs during the 20-year life of the assets.

The 16 projects are estimated to comprise $3.8 billion in local content, $218.8 million in First Nations benefits, $36 million in shared community benefits and $33.6 million of local steel.

Two projects have committed to First Nations equity sharing agreements, with several others committed to subcontracting with First Nations owned businesses and providing access to training and work force development and participation opportunities.

Partnerships with local TAFEs, scholarships will upskill local workforces, and STEM education in local schools will support the next generation of renewable energy experts.

The latest tender will build on the success of previous rounds that have executed 19 agreements to date, worth 5.85 GW of capacity nationally.

CIS projects with executed agreements to date have commitments to deliver an estimated $10.5 billion of First Nations and community benefits, and expenditure on local content and employment.  

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“This is the latest step in the Albanese Government’s plan to rebuild Australia’s energy grid into the modern, reliable and fairer system we need.

“In three short years our reliable renewables plan has unlocked record levels of investment in Australia’s energy grid, while delivering good jobs, training, and community benefits to locals hosting this critical new infrastructure, that’s increasingly Australian-made.

“Our practical approach to energy is harnessing the nation’s natural advantages to deliver more affordable and more reliable energy for our country, powering new jobs in our regions and suburbs and securing billions of dollars in global investment.”