The tender was explicitly technology-neutral, meaning gas-fired generation and pumped hydro were eligible to compete alongside battery storage. None secured a contract.
According to ASL, the tender attracted bids from both battery and gas projects, and the outcome reflects the relative competitiveness of battery projects across all assessment criteria rather than any preference built into the tender design.
“This was a technology-neutral tender, and the outcome reflects the competitiveness of battery projects in this tender round rather than any preference in the tender design,” an ASL spokesperson tells ESN Premium.
“Batteries are well placed to compete under current market conditions, given they can generally be developed, financed and delivered faster than some alternative technologies.”
The result, ASL says, was not unexpected given the success batteries have achieved in similar schemes across the country. But the spokesperson is careful not to read a permanent technology preference into the outcome.
