South Australia has long been the place the rest of the world looks to when it wants to see a grid run mostly on wind and sunshine. Now the state has put forward proposals that dwarf anything it has built so far. The South Australia 13 gigawatts wind and solar pipeline, announced on 18 October 2026, covers four proposals on pastoral land west of Whyalla. If even part of it is built, it would reshape how the state powers its industry. These projects are at an early stage, though, and an announcement is not a power station.
What Was Announced: The Four Proposals
The state government released land in the Upper Spencer Gulf and drew four proposals totalling almost 13 GW. Windlab is behind the largest, a 6 GW wind and solar development. Altra Energy has proposed 4.7 GW of wind and solar, Heron Energy 1.6 GW of wind, and Neoen a 360 MW solar farm. Together they would span more than 3,300 square kilometres of pastoral land within Barngala country.
| Proponent | Proposed Capacity | Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Windlab | 6 GW | Wind and solar |
| Altra Energy | 4.7 GW | Wind and solar |
| Heron Energy | 1.6 GW | Wind |
| Neoen | 360 MW | Solar |
| Combined | Almost 13 GW | Across 3,300+ sq km |
How Big Is This Compared With What South Australia Already Has?
The state’s existing grid-scale wind and solar capacity is nearly 3 GW. Add more than 2 GW of rooftop solar and renewables already supply about 75 per cent of South Australia’s annual electricity needs, a figure that is among the highest in the world. Against that base, the new proposals would more than quadruple grid-scale capacity.
That helps explain the language around “beyond 100 per cent net renewables”. Net renewables means the state generates at least as much renewable electricity over a year as it consumes. It does not mean every hour is powered by wind and sun. The government’s goal of reaching 100 per cent net renewables by the end of 2027 may now arrive a little late. Even so, a pipeline of this size would push the state well past its own demand, leaving surplus clean energy for new industry.
Why Whyalla and the Upper Spencer Gulf?
The location is deliberate. Whyalla has been a major industrial centre for generations, but it has struggled since the ageing steelworks collapsed and closed. The state also had to rethink its green hydrogen plans after the failures at Whyalla. Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis called the proposals an opportunity to help shape the region’s industrial future and attract new investment.
Altra Energy’s director Andrew Newman said the company is already talking to major energy users about how the power would be used, so that investment and jobs stay in the region. Windlab, which has promoted the idea of “outback renewables” in sparsely populated inland areas, points to strong wind and solar resources paired with industrial strengths as the draw.
What Needs to Happen Before Anything Gets Built
Both the government and the developers have been candid that this is early-stage work. A project this size usually has to clear several hurdles before construction can begin:
- Detailed resource and environmental studies
- Planning and regulatory approvals
- Grid connection and transmission upgrades to move power to where it is needed
- Binding agreements with large energy buyers, which is what turns a proposal into a financeable project
- Ongoing engagement with the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation and host pastoralists
On the last point, Windlab says its work with the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation and host pastoralists has laid a foundation for the studies ahead. It also says the project aims to respect Country and coexist with existing land uses. How well that engagement goes will matter as much as the engineering.
What This Means for Energy Users and Communities
For households, nothing changes overnight. The significance is longer-term. A large supply of locally generated clean power could attract energy-hungry industries that want low-emissions electricity, and it could create construction and operational jobs in a region that needs them. The risks are just as real. Proposals can shrink, stall or fail, and large energy projects depend on transmission, buyers and community support lining up at the same time. The sensible reading is that this is a serious signal of developer interest, not a guarantee of 13 GW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much new capacity has South Australia announced?
Four proposals total almost 13 GW: Windlab at 6 GW, Altra Energy at 4.7 GW, Heron Energy at 1.6 GW and Neoen at 360 MW.
Where will the projects be located?
They are proposed across more than 3,300 square kilometres of pastoral land within Barngala country, west of Whyalla in the Upper Spencer Gulf.
Are the projects approved and under construction?
No. The state and the developers describe them as early-stage proposals with significant work still ahead.
What does “net renewables” mean?
It means a state generates as much renewable electricity over a year as it uses. Fossil generation or imports may still fill some gaps hour to hour.