Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto’s ambition to become one of the world’s largest lithium suppliers has taken a battering with the Serbian government pulling the plug on the company’s $3.3 billion ($US2.4 billion) Jadar lithium-borates project.

Renewable energy developer Genex Power has announced that construction of a bold engineering project that will transform a retired gold mine site in north Queensland into a 250 MW/2 GWh pumped hydro energy storage facility is now ahead of schedule with underground works having commenced.

Queensland clean energy start-up Endua’s ambitious plan to manufacture modular hydrogen-powered energy generation and storage systems has been given a financial boost with the Federal Government providing the company with almost $1 million to help it commercialise the innovative technology.

Solar PV is helping power the world’s largest zircon mine with Western Australian-based independent power producer KPS Power Generation announcing it has completed the conversion of miner Iluka Resources’ 10 MW diesel-fuelled power station at the Jacinth-Ambrosia mineral sands operation in South Australia into a hybrid facility.

With the spotlight shining bright on the nation’s transport industry as the Covid pandemic causes widespread disruptions to supply chains, the Australian Trucking Association has been quick to make the most of the attention, calling for urgent reform to deliver a new era of electric trucks in Australia.

South Korean electronics and solar PV module manufacturer LG Electronics has announced its new range of solar panels featuring half-cut cell technology and gap-free design for the Australian rooftop market.

Spanish renewables developer X-Elio expects its 200 MW Blue Grass Solar Farm will achieve full commercial operations early this year after it reached financial close for the $215 million project being developed near Chinchilla in Queensland’s Western Downs region.

Australian investment manager Infrastructure Capital Group has stepped into the solar energy sector with the acquisition of a majority stake in a ~300 MW solar PV and energy storage portfolio from clean technology developer and investment firm Providence Asset Group.

Last year saw Australians install rooftop solar like never before, with 40% more installed in 2021 than in 2020. Solar system installations now make up 7% of the energy going into the national electricity grid.

Australian renewable energy developer Maoneng’s 240 MWp/480 MWh big battery project proposed for Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is a step closer to realisation after it secured development approval from the state government.