Australia: Renewables

Australia's 2026-27 Federal Budget introduces targeted capital gains tax reforms for foreign investors in renewable energy infrastructure while focusing on system integration and market modernisation. The Budget notably avoids substantial new funding for large-scale renewable generation, raising questions about how the nation will achieve its ambitious 82% renewable electricity target by 2030.

Renewable energy generation, battery storage and transmission infrastructure projects are key winners under targeted reforms designed to secure faster planning assessment outcomes.

Australia's renewable energy certification system is undergoing fundamental change. The Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) continues to operate until 31 December 2030 — meaning large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) can still be created and liable entities remain subject to surrender obligations until that date.

Australia's renewable electricity certification transition: legal insights on REGOs, PPAs, and market dynamics...

Many industrial customers face rising energy costs, among other challenges. We look at examples of government support provided so far.

Standalone battery energy storage system developments are subject to Qld's new renewables planning regime (introduced earlier this year for wind & solar farms).

The amendments mean that for development applications for material change of use for a wind farm or a large-scale solar farm (defined as having a maximum instantaneous electricity...

New QLD laws from 18 July 2025 require social impact assessments & community benefit deals for large wind & solar farm projects.

Since Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's last update on the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) in May 2024, the Commonwealth Government has announced key changes to the upcoming indicative tender rounds for 2025.