The Australian government is seeking bids for 1.8 gigawatts of new renewable generation capacity in Western Australia in the latest round of its Capacity Investment Scheme, as it looks to add power supply to meet the state's growing electricity needs.
The tender, set to open for bids on August 27, is targeting 1.8 GW of renewable generation capacity, enough to power 1 million Western Australian households.
This will be the first tender under the CIS requiring developers to participate in the government's new Developer Rating Scheme, with proponents required to have started its assessment process before applying.
The rating scheme, independently operated by Equifax, assesses renewable energy developers and transmission companies across seven criteria, providing landholders and communities with information on their track record, capability and conduct.
Tender 11 will also place greater weight on whether projects are ready to proceed, including their ability to secure financing. Projects will be required to participate in Western Australia's Reserve Capacity Mechanism, consistent with previous tenders in the state's Wholesale Electricity Market.
"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," Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.
Across Australia, the Capacity Investment Scheme is supporting more than 100 projects, according to the government.