A “tidal wave” of new solar and wind energy in Australia is poised to wipe out several coal-fired power stations in the National Electricity Market (NEM) with a new report suggesting the financial viability of the fossil-fuel generators will be so severely compromised within five years closure will become an attractive or even unavoidable choice.

Construction has commenced on the 300 MW / 450 MWh Victoria Big Battery storage facility near Geelong after the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) provided French renewable energy developer Neoen with a $160 million funding injection.

With rooftop solar installations numbers hitting record highs right across the nation, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has announced new technical standards for inverters will be introduced to help the electricity grid cope with the influx and provide system strength.

The West Australian Wholesale Energy Market (WEM) is in for a major shake-up with the State Government’s Energy Transformation Taskforce unveiling plans for a redesign which it said will fully integrate renewable energy – in all its guises – into the power system.

Smart metering services provider Intellihub has outlined a series of targeted reforms – including strengthening testing requirements – in its submission to the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) review into the sector’s regulatory framework, cautioning that unless changes are made Australia risks being left behind.

Owners of property in strata-titled buildings in New South Wales will soon find it easier to make the switch to renewable energy with the State Government ushering in changes to laws in a bid to pave the way for easier installation of solar PV, renewable energy storage systems and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Western Australian-based gold and nickel exploration company Province Resources has announced its intention to enter the renewable energy sector, floating plans to develop a 1 GW wind and solar PV green hydrogen production facility in the state’s north west.

Sydney-based domestic hydrogen electrolyser and storage system manufacturer LAVO has revealed it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish Australia’ s first hydrogen fuel cell production line in Springfield City, a private-sector CBD development in Queensland.

Indian multinational Sterling and Wilson Solar continues to build its presence in the Australian renewable energy market, announcing this week it has completed the takeover of Western Australian engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm GCO Solar.

The coupling of solar PV energy facilities with water treatment plants continues to grow in popularity with two Queensland councils taking the plunge this week, announcing plans to commence construction on behind-the-metre solar farms.