Australia’s CIS Tender 11 seeks around 1.8 GW of renewable generation in Western Australia, with projects targeted for operation by 2030
180 MW capacity has been set aside for projects with at least 5% First Nations equity participation or a similar revenue-sharing arrangement
Developers are required to begin the independently operated Developer Rating Scheme assessment to participate
Australia has opened a new tender for around 1.8 GW of renewable generation in Western Australia. The round, known as Tender 11 under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), aims to support the state’s growing electricity demand and maintain a reliable power supply as renewable generation expands.
The tender targets projects in Western Australia’s Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM), with successful projects expected to be operating by 2030. Successful bids are expected to be announced in March 2027.
The tender includes a 180 MW First Nations Equity and Revenue Sharing Set Aside. It applies to projects that commit to at least 5% First Nations equity participation or a similar revenue-sharing arrangement.
Tender 11 is the first CIS tender to require participation in the government’s Developer Rating Scheme (DRS), according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Developers must have started the DRS assessment process to participate in this tender round.
Independently operated by Equifax Australasia Credit Ratings, the DRS system assesses developers and transmission companies across seven criteria, including community engagement, capability, and financial capacity. Companies meeting the minimum standards across all seven criteria can be listed on a public register and receive a community engagement star rating.
The government said the scheme is intended to give landholders and local communities more information about developers’ track records and engagement practices. The government also said Tender 11 places greater emphasis on whether projects are ready and able to be delivered, including their ability to secure financing.
Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, said the tender would add generation capacity as Western Australia’s economy and population grow. “Western Australia needs more power as its economy and population grow, and this tender will bring forward another 1.8 GW of new generation to help deliver it,” Bowen said.
Registrations for Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 11 opened on August 25, 2026. Bids can be submitted between August 27, 2026 and October 22, 2026. Details are available on the AusEnergy Services Limited (ASL) website.
Under the CIS, Australia targets to achieve 40 GW of renewable energy and dispatchable capacity (see Australia Expands Capacity Investment Scheme Target To 40 GW).
As with previous CIS tenders in the WEM, projects selected under Tender 11 will have to participate in Western Australia’s Reserve Capacity Mechanism. The requirement is intended to support electricity system reliability as renewable generation increases.
Tender 11 is expected to be the final CIS tender in the WEM if the scheme’s generation and dispatchable capacity targets are met.
The new tender follows earlier CIS activity in Western Australia. CIS tenders announced in the state this year have supported 10 projects with a combined 1.9 GW of renewable generation and 482 MW of storage, according to the government. Two projects from an earlier dispatchable tender, totaling 250 MW, have signed agreements and started construction.
In May 2026, a total of 10 renewable energy and battery storage projects with 1.9 GW were approved under CIS tenders 5 and 6 across Western Australia (see Australia: 10 RE & Battery Storage Projects In CIS 5 & 6).
The tender comes as Australia’s latest NEM reliability outlook points to continued growth in electricity demand and investment in generation and storage.
A separate government release, citing the 2026 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) report from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), said about 40 GW of new generation and storage is now committed or anticipated across the NEM, with another 33 GW supported by government programs. Around 9 GW of new capacity was added over the past year, while 24 GW has moved into committed or anticipated status since last year.
AEMO identified no reliability gaps for 2027-28 or 2029-30, while noting that continued investment and timely project delivery will be needed as electricity demand rises and aging coal-fired generation retires. The 1.8 GW tender therefore adds another generation pipeline to the market.
In May 2026, Australia launched CIS Tender 9 for 5 GW of renewable energy capacity across the country, barring New South Wales (see Australia Seeks 5 GW Renewable Energy Under CIS Tender 9).
