An area of land more than twice the size of Kangaroo Island will soon be opened up for the potential development of renewable energy projects.

The South Australian government will soon open tenders for renewable energy investors from around the world to propose projects across more than 11,000 square kilometres of land released under the state’s pioneering renewable energy framework.

Once developed, this land could potentially generate enough electricity to power more than half a million homes.

The Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act (HRE Act) provides a pathway for the sustainable and strategic development of land for renewable energy purposes through the declaration of areas of pastoral land, certain Crown land and state waters as suitable for renewable energy development. Land opened for tenders under the HRE Act is subject to a competitive process designed to determine the best project(s) to proceed while giving certainty to investors, landholders, owners and communities.

The Gawler Ranges East and Whyalla West release areas were declared in January 2026, paving the way for a call for tenders for renewable energy feasibility licences which provides the successful applicant with exclusive access to the licenced area for further studies and developing their project. 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 will be open for a 13-week period from 30 March and will invite applications for renewable energy feasibility licences within the designated release areas.

The tender will not limit applicants to proposing any specific technology types. Rather it is intended as an opportunity for investors to propose how they would optimise use of land and the renewable energy resources in the areas against the tender guidance criteria.

The extended tender period of 13 weeks has been provided to allow additional time for applicants to prepare their bids and engage with native title holders on an agreement.

Notification of calls for tender will be posted on the Call for tenders web page of this website.

For enquiries, please contact releaseareas@sa.gov.au.