Chinese miner Citic Pacific has flicked the switch on a new solar and battery microgrid that is now helping power its Fortescue River mining accommodation precinct in Western Australia’s northwest.

Australia has no shortage of brilliant researchers or world-class science. Across energy storage, grid reliability, green hydrogen and beyond, our institutions are producing discoveries with real potential to reshape how we power our country and our economy. Yet too often, having worked across research translation for nearly a decade, I’ve seen that potential stall before it reaches the people and industries that need it most.

The last of 330,000 PV panels has been installed at the Tauhei Solar Farm in New Zealand, marking a key milestone in the construction of what is set to be that country’s largest operational solar farm when it comes online later this year.

The 204 MW Edenvale Solar Park in Queensland’s Western Downs region has been identified by energy consultancy Rystad Energy as the best performing large-scale PV asset in Australia last month.

With data centre demand creating new challenges for network operators, Schneider Electric’s Farokh Ghadially outlines why the next phase of the transition isn’t just about adding more renewables, but managing a system that is more distributed, more data-heavy and less predictable.

Western Australia’s shift from coal and gas to renewables has taken a major step forward with the federal government backing more than 2 GW of new renewable energy and battery storage projects set to be built across the state.

A 360 MW solar farm and a 150 MW / 600 MWh battery energy storage system to be built in New South Wales has secured approval to connect to the electricity grid in the state’s New England Tablelands region.

Australian battery designer and manufacturer PowerPlus Energy has secured $2.3 million in federal government funding that will support its plans to triple annual battery module production capacity to 150 MWh over the next two years.

Q4 2025 in South Australia saw grid-connected loads with spot price exposure actually being paid to use electricity about half the time (46%) – and that electricity was overwhelmingly (80%) supplied by renewables. This demonstrates a shift from managing demand to quietly needing it. Particularly in regions like South Australia, there is growing demand for demand.

Insurance premiums for renewable energy projects in Australia are expected to decrease this year despite natural catastrophe and extreme weather exposures remaining a major concern, particularly for large-scale solar asset owners and investors.