Australia’s large-scale renewable energy pipeline has received a significant boost, with Octopus Investments Australia confirming it will proceed with a $900 million hybrid solar and battery project in Bungendore, NSW. The decision represents one of the most substantial clean-energy commitments in recent months and ends a long period of stagnation in large projects achieving financial close.
A Breakthrough for Hybrid Renewables
Named the Blind Creek Solar and Battery Project, the development combines solar generation with long-duration storage. This integrated approach is becoming increasingly attractive across the national energy market, helping overcome the delays and grid challenges that have slowed other standalone ventures.
A key achievement for the project is a recently executed four-hour power purchase agreement, allowing the facility to supply firmed, reliable power during the evening peak, an important solution as Australia transitions to more renewable generation.
Strong Backing from Major Investors
The project brings together several influential funding partners, including:
demonstrating continued institutional confidence in Australia’s clean-energy future.
The decision also marks Octopus’ first major investment locally since July, when global pension fund APG committed more than $1 billion to expand their Australian renewables platform.
More Large-Scale Storage on the Way
Octopus has signalled that its next target is the Blackstone Battery, a one-gigawatt-hour storage project near Brisbane valued at over $1 billion. That development is expected to reach financial close in the June quarter of next year and would become one of the largest battery installations in the country.
QIC Ramps Up its Clean Energy Activity
Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) has also reinforced its push into the sector, partnering with Portuguese renewable energy leader EDP on the Punchs Creek Solar and Storage Project near Toowoomba. Early indications suggest QIC may secure a 50 per cent ownership stake, with opportunities to collaborate on a broader pipeline totalling between two and four gigawatts.
Punchs Creek is set to include 480MW of solar generation paired with a 400MW four-hour battery, representing EDP’s first Australian investment. Long-term offtake arrangements are currently being explored.
A Race Against National Targets
These major investments arise during a period when many grid-scale projects have been delayed, raising concerns about whether Australia can meet its target of 82 per cent renewable electricity by 2030. Despite the slowdown, the federal government maintains confidence that the goal remains achievable.
Faster development timelines for solar-and-battery hybrids are becoming a major drawcard for investors, although experts emphasise that both solar and wind must expand together to guarantee reliability across the national grid.
A Significant Milestone for Octopus
With Blind Creek moving ahead, Octopus now accounts for $1.2 billion of the $1.83 billion in large renewable projects reaching financial close in Australia this year. The company continues to build a diversified renewable portfolio that integrates solar, wind, and storage to deliver stable, clean electricity.
Why This Matters for All Seasons Workforce Australia (ASWA)
Major renewable energy developments such as Blind Creek and Punchs Creek play a critical role in Australia’s transition towards achieving 82 per cent renewable electricity by 2030. However, large, fast-moving infrastructure projects of this scale often face significant challenges in securing the right workforce, at the right time, to keep construction programs on schedule and within budget.
The reality is that renewable energy projects require a diverse mix of capabilities throughout their lifecycle, including:
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Skilled and unskilled labour for civil and early-stage works
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Electrical and mechanical teams for installation and commissioning
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Reliable crews for operations, maintenance, and long-duration project support
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Flexible, seasonal and project-based workforce solutions as timelines shift
These labour needs can be difficult for developers and contractors to meet, particularly in regional areas where competition for workers is high and timelines are tight.
This is where All Seasons Workforce Australia (ASWA) makes a measurable difference.
By providing compliant, dependable labour solutions across emerging clean-energy regions, ASWA helps ensure that renewable projects progress smoothly, safely and with the staffing certainty required to deliver on Australia’s broader energy goals.
