The Australian Government has announced a $600 million funding package for renewable energy under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), focusing on large solar and wind projects across Australia. Twenty projects will add 6.6 GW of new capacity by 2030, backed by $17 billion in local investment, including $1 billion in Australian steel.  CIS Tender4 has received 84 bids totaling 25.6 GW, more than four times the 6 GW target. Over half of the awarded projects feature solar or solar-plus-battery systems, while the remainder are wind developments such as Tasmania’s first CIS-backed Bell Bay Wind Farm. The portfolio includes 3.5 GW / 11.4 GWh of storage capacity. Collectively, the projects have committed $291 million in community programs and $348 million in First Nations initiatives. More than 12,000 construction and 1,000 maintenance jobs were created. CIS Tender 7, targeting 5 GW, opens for registrations on 14 October, followed by a dispatchable round in November.