An area of more than 11,000 square kilometres is now open to the potential development of large-scale renewables projects, with the South Australian government inviting investors to bid for land released under the pioneering Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023.
Renewable energy feasibility licences are now available by application over the Gawler Ranges East and Whyalla West release areas.
The two release areas include some of the highest co-incident wind and solar resources in South Australia, with estimates suggesting the areas could host renewable energy projects potentially providing enough energy to power more than 500,000 homes.
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The Gawler Ranges East release area comprises approximately 5,200sq km on the Upper Eyre Peninsula, and the Whyalla West release area is in the Upper Spencer Gulf region, spanning around 6,500sq km.
The call for tenders in both release areas is open until 28 June 2026.
“The 13-week tender period allows applicants to prepare their bids and engage with native title holders on an agreement,” the state government said in its announcement.
“Applicants are not limited to proposing specific technology types, with investors invited to propose how they would optimise the use of land and the renewable energy resources in the release areas.”
Tenders must address the prescribed criteria in their application, including how they plan to deliver the content within a timeframe, their experience, environmental management credentials and how the project will benefit the state and the traditional custodians of the land.
Under South Australia’s Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act (the Act), areas of pastoral land, certain Crown land and state waters can be declared as suitable for renewable energy development.
The Act—an Australian first—provides a pathway for the sustainable and strategic development of land for renewable energy purposes. It does this while ensuring that proposed projects support local regional development needs, optimise the use of land, and can co-exist with existing land uses.
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The Gawler Ranges East and Whyalla West release areas were determined after extensive consultation with pastoralists, native title groups, other landholders and regional communities.
Potential applicants can find out more at the Department for Energy and Mining.
