1 April 2026
An area of more than 11,000 square kilometres – twice the size of Kangaroo Island – is now open to the potential development of large-scale renewable energy projects, with the South Australian government inviting investors to bid for land released under the pioneering Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023.
Applications are now open for renewable energy feasibility licences 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.
The Gawler Ranges East release area comprises approximately 5,200 km2 on the Upper Eyre Peninsula, and the Whyalla West release area is in the Upper Spencer Gulf region, spanning around 6,500 km2.
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. 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.
The Gawler Ranges East and Whyalla West release areas were determined after extensive consultation with pastoralists, native title groups, other landholders and regional communities.
The Department for Energy and Mining (DEM) also worked closely with subject matter experts across government to ensure that appropriate safeguards, such as areas subject to Heritage Agreements and native vegetation, are in place for key locations within the release areas.
Potential applicants can find out more on the Department for Energy and Mining website.
