The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has today published its latest quarterly scorecard for generation and storage projects connecting to the National Electricity Market (NEM), showing a record level of new capacity reaching full output and entering the market.
While the scorecard reports new generation and storage projects from initial application through to full output for the June quarter, it also marks the end of FY26, providing a snapshot of annual outcomes across the connections pipeline.
AEMO Group Manager, Onboarding and Connections, Margarida Pimentel, said the overall FY26 result demonstrates strong end-to-end performance across the pipeline including a new record for wind investment.
"A record 9.1 GW of new generation and storage capacity reached full output in the last financial year, more than double the result achieved in FY25," she said.
“Across FY26, registration and application approvals reached 7.4 GW and 14.2 GW respectively. While both measures were slightly lower than FY25, the broader connections pipeline continued to expand, growing 42% from 53 GW to 75.4 GW. Capacity in the application stage more than doubled across the year and proponent implementation, a developer-led stage that sits outside AEMO’s role in the connections process, grew by 30%.
“Wind investment also strengthened, with AEMO receiving a record 12 wind project applications totalling 5.2 GW during FY26, the highest volume of wind applications recorded in a single year,” Ms Pimentel said.
While 14.4 GW of projects entered the proponent implementation stage, the scorecard highlights growing challenges in the delivery pipeline with only 6.4 GW progressing through this stage. Across FY26, the median duration of the proponent implementation phase increased from 14 to 18 months, with one third of projects having remained in this stage for more than two years.
Ms Pimentel highlighted that project changes are often key contributors to delays in commencing registration.
“Design changes and equipment substitutions can require additional assessment and rework, while the sale of projects, extended financing and commercial readiness activities are also contributing factors,” she said.
Across the June quarter, 14 projects totalling 3.9 GW reached full output, while eight projects representing 1.5 GW achieved registration. A quarterly record of 32 project applications, representing 6.9 GW of capacity, were also approved.
Battery projects continued to dominate the pipeline, accounting for 52% of total capacity and were also the fastest mover through the process.
Solar and battery hybrid projects are an increasingly significant component of the development pipeline with 4.3 GW of applications received during FY26. In addition, 2.4 GW of solar projects commenced or completed processes to add a battery energy storage system (BESS), reflecting industry’s growing interest in combining low-cost renewable generation with flexible storage.
"Together, these technologies will play an important role in delivering the diverse mix of resources needed to support Australia's energy transition," Ms Pimentel said.
ENDS
About AEMO
AEMO is responsible for operating Australia’s largest gas and electricity markets and power systems in the best interests of Australian energy consumers. These include the National Electricity Market and interconnected power system in Australia’s eastern and southeastern seaboard, the Wholesale Electricity Market and power system in Western Australia, the Victorian gas transmission system and gas markets across Australia.
As Australia’s independent energy markets and power systems operator, AEMO provides critical planning, forecasting and power systems security advice and services to deliver energy security for all Australians. AEMO is a not-for profit entity. For more information, head to head to www.aemo.com.au.