Thai-owned Ratch Australia has revealed plans to develop a 70 MW solar PV and large-scale battery energy storage project in the heart of Victoria’s coal country after receiving planning approval from the state government for the $105 million Morwell Solar Farm.

Renewable energy investors’ appetite for large-scale development in Australia appears far from sated with the New South Wales Government revealing almost 50 new solar PV, wind and energy storage projects, totalling more than 34 GW, have been proposed for the South-West Renewable Energy Zone.

The Western Australian coastal town of Kalbarri can now be powered by an entirely renewable energy solution utilising rooftop solar and wind generation coupled with battery storage with state government-owned utility Western Power confirming the state’s largest renewable energy microgrid has been commissioned.

The majority of voters in Australia’s historical coal and gas heartlands of New South Wales and Queensland believe the states’ future economic prosperity lies in clean industries, including renewable energy manufacturing and exports, and mining for critical battery minerals.

Australian Test cricket captain Pat Cummins is spearheading a campaign to have cricket clubs around the nation install solar PV systems in a bid to reduce carbon emissions, declaring it is time for the sport to do its bit to tackle climate change.

Germany has announced plans for a new climate alliance between the world’s advanced economies, in a move that promises to transform international climate action.

Melbourne Airport, one of the Australia’s busiest travel, transport and freight hubs, has revealed plans to expand its solar PV energy portfolio just days after formally unveiling one of the nation’s largest behind-the-meter solar farms.

Queensland company eleXsys Energy has secured more than $450,000 to help finance a trial of next-generation technology designed to manage grid stability in low voltage areas, potentially allowing for an increase in the amount of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, that can be connected to the grid.

Is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? Federal Labor is certainly giving it a go by supporting government plans for a fossil gas/diesel peaking plant in the Hunter Valley currently under construction – as long as the plant switches to green hydrogen by 2030.

Construction has commenced on an off-grid solar PV and battery energy storage system which will help power Australian-headquartered resource major BHP’s estimated $1 billion Nickel West mining operation in regional Western Australia.