French renewables developer Neoen has won a 197 MW / 4-hour duration storage contract with AEMO. The contract pertains to the Collie big battery in WA’s south west, with Stage 1 to be operating commercially by October 2024.

The insolvency of a major Australian solar recycler has highlighted the complexity of remodelling a linear-thinking industry and society into a circular one, reports pv magazine Australia’s Bella Peacock.

The value of critical minerals companies listed on the ASX has hit $86.2 billion (USD 58.3bn), just scraping above the value of companies within the All Ordinaries Gold Index. Australia risen to the booming demand for these minerals, but experts have urged caution.

As many as 60 renewable energy projects are expected to lodge environmental impact statements in New South Wales over the next 12 to 18 months. As the transition accelerates, the state’s new Energy Minister has told renewable proponents they must substantiate what’s in it for hosting communities.

The Hazelwood big battery has been commissioned at the site of the retired Hazelwood Power Station in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria. A collaboration between Engie, Eku Energy and Fluence, the 150 MW battery claims a number of Australian firsts.

Queensland’s government has allocated $19 billion (USD 12.9 billion) to deliver on its energy transition plan, with a heavy focus on public ownership of energy assets. Queensland’s flush financial position was enabled by recent change to increase coal royalties, which injected an extra $10.5 billion into the budget.

Recharge Industries, which had hoped to begin construction on its Geelong lithium-ion gigafactory this year, is reportedly refocusing its manpower on British endeavours. Despite Australia’s growing rhetoric around capturing more of the battery value chain, companies in the space are turning attention overseas.

Compulsory acquisition letters have been sent to landowners along the route of the Central-West Orana transmission link this week by the state’s Renewable Energy Zone planner, EnergyCo. It marks the beginning of the formal negotiation process for the transmission line, which has yet to be put on public exhibition.

Building materials company Etex Australia has installed a 1.45 MW rooftop system on its factory in Altona in southwest Melbourne.

Octopus Australia has acquired a 175 MW solar and 400 MWh battery project in Queensland’s Western Downs region. It plans to integrate these assets with its newly commissioned 180 MW Dulacca Wind Farm to create one of Australia’s largest multi-technology renewable energy parks.