Ash I totally get your point but there is opportunity cost to...

Ash
I totally get your point but there is opportunity cost to consider.
If IFN can get more generation on the books in the next say 6 months to a year and use its firming more fully sooner, then the benefits of the cash in hand in the next few years and efficient utilization of planning capital spent will outweigh higher production benefit in the short term. Particularly when that planning dollar had a big old interest fee attached to it when it was done.
It may be that they look at longer term asset plans and factor in Halide-X integrated into those at a higher cost benefit return.
The other item to consider is the volatility of the Australian renewables sector politically. It is hard to plan a big step change in that environment.

My bet is they are carefully weighing up each and every opportunity to get the cash in the door from their assets as quickly as possible which then allows more flexibility and growth potential. This is a good way to combat changing conditions from policy to climate to technology.

If I was going to put those big suckers anywhere it would be in the bight and on the western Australian continental shelf. The roaring forties have a lot of Coriolis energy and no lad masses to slow them down. Preferably on the coast near some big smelters, mines or cities and their power channels.