NSW calls bids for 500 MW of energy capacity

Projects that can supply energy during peak period will be prioritised.

The government of New South Wales is seeking bids for projects that deliver 500 megawatts of firm capacity.

According to the Ministry for Energy and Climate Change, the tender will seek bids for firming infrastructure, such as batteries, gas generation, and virtual power plants, that can rapidly supply electricity to the grid or reduce electricity use at short notice.

The projects are projected to energise around 200,000 homes during times of peak demand.

NSW expects shortfalls of firm capacity for the summer of 2027-2028. This is expected to occur specifically in the Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong areas.

The tender will be conducted by ASL later this year, and priority will be given to projects that can supply the specified areas during peak periods.

Successful projects will join those supported in the state’s first firming tender in 2023, with the likes of AGL’s Liddell battery, Akaysha Energy’s Orana battery, Iberdrola’s Smithfield battery and NSW’s first large-scale virtual power plant under the NSW Roadmap being delivered by Enel X.