Australian renewable energy developers committed 2.6 GW of new generation capacity across 12 projects in the first half of 2026. The Clean Energy Council reported the half-year figure exceeded the total capacity recorded across all of 2025. The national energy pipeline expansion included the commissioning of 1.4 GW of renewable generation during the first half of the year. Developers also commissioned 7.1 GWh of battery storage across five sites in the same period.
Wind developers achieved financial close or started construction on 1.5 GW of capacity since July. This wind capacity is backed by the Capacity Investment Scheme. The wind capacity additions are located primarily in Queensland and Western Australia.
Snowy Hydro revised the projected cost of its 2.2 GW pumped hydro expansion to between $22 billion and $25 billion. The project proponents scheduled a revised completion date for late 2029. The updated figures detail the scale of the long-duration storage asset for the NEM. Project proponents stated the scheme remains a more cost-effective long-duration storage solution than battery alternatives.
The NEM connection pipeline for new generation and storage grew 43 per cent over the last year. The expansion included an increase in battery storage project proposals. These new battery storage proposals feature longer discharge durations.
In Western Australia, Gingerah Energy referred a 1 GW data centre complex to the EPBC Act for approval. The proposed data centre complex includes a 5 GWh battery energy storage system. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation reached the final stages of a term sheet to fund an existing data centre. Chief Executive Officer Paul McCartney stated the government green bank will step back from funding future data centres.
Atmos Renewables commenced construction on the Parron Maam Marang Wind Farm in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. The project will deliver up to 470 MW of renewable energy capacity. The facility will become the largest wind project in Western Australia.
Squadron Energy completed and energised the 330/33 kV substation for the Uungula Wind Farm near Wellington in New South Wales. The infrastructure features three transformers. The substation enables the project to connect to the transmission network.
Renewables developer 1414 Degrees selected 5B to supply 70 MW of pre-assembled Maverick solar units. The solar technology will supply the first stage of the proposed Aurora Energy Precinct in South Australia. Generation Steel entered into a binding power purchase agreement with BHP. The agreement will support the renewable energy requirements of a proposed steel mill in Collie in Western Australia.
The NEM spot price averaged $84.50/MWh on Monday. South Australia recorded 16.0 hours of negative prices, reaching a low of negative $101.00/MWh at 16:20 and a high of $170.00/MWh at 02:40. Queensland recorded the maximum demand peak of 8,476 MW at 18:20. Renewable energy generated 47.3 per cent of electricity, with an instantaneous peak of 74.7 per cent at 11:45. Grid-scale batteries discharged 16,961 MWh across the trading day.
Brent Crude fell 4.7 per cent to US$111.25 a barrel. Natural Gas rose 15.1 per cent to US$3.04/mmbtu. TTF Gas rose 2.4 per cent to EUR96.08/MWh. WattClarity stated it will seek inputs for an upcoming presentation at the 2026 Griffith Energy Policy Summit. The summit is scheduled for Wednesday 18 November 2026.