New data shows renewable energy investment has reached record levels, with final investment decisions (FID) for large-scale renewable generation already reaching a new annual record in 2026, with three months of the year still to go.
Data from the Clean Energy Regulator shows 2.1GW of large-scale renewable capacity reached FID in the September quarter, the equal highest quarterly result and enough to power around 1.2 million homes.
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That brings total renewable FID so far this year to 5GW, which is already higher than the previous full-year record of 4.9GW.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said, “This is what progress looks like: more renewable energy reaching final investment decision, more rooftop solar on homes and businesses, more batteries helping Australians store cheap solar power, and more downward pressure on power prices.
“Renewable investment has already broken the annual record with three months still to go. And it isn’t just investment; last month renewable energy generated more electricity in the national grid than fossil fuels.
“Investors, as well as Australian households and small businesses, are backing Australian renewable energy because they see a government with a clear policy that is working and we’ll continue to get on with the job.”
The data also shows strong progress across households, with approved capacity under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program reaching 15.3GWh by the end of September, up from less than 2GWh at the same time last year, with total home battery capacity in Australia more than five times greater than when the scheme began.
Rooftop solar added 90,000 installations and 894MW of capacity in the September quarter, while yearclean-to-date rooftop solar capacity is 45% higher than at the same point in 2025.
“Households are not waiting around. They are putting solar on their roofs, batteries in their homes, EVs in their driveways and taking more control over their power bills,” Minister Bowen said.
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“Investment is up, capacity is up, household uptake is up, and Australians are getting on with the job because renewable energy is cheaper energy.”
