The quickening exit of coal-fired generation from Australia’s energy mix – with 60% of capacity expected to be withdrawn from the National Electricity Market by 2030 – has emphasised the need for significant investment in renewable energy generation, storage, transmission, and system services.

The Australian arm of Spanish energy giant Iberdrola has broken ground on its 190 MW Avonlie Solar Farm with the ‘golden rows’ of solar panels installed at the project being developed in the New South Wales Riverina region.

Australian energy giant AGL Energy has revealed that Canadian fund manager Brookfield Asset Management has acquired a more than 2.5% stake in the power producer, renewing speculation it may mount a fresh tilt to take over the company.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has declared approximately $12.7 billion of investment in new transmission lines should begin “as urgently as possible” to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and energy storage, replace exiting coal-fired power plants, and deliver a more efficient and effective grid in eastern and south-eastern Australia.

The operator of the 150 MW/193 MWh Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia has been fined $900,000 after being sued by the Australian Energy Regulator for failing to deliver on its promise of providing services essential to maintaining the stability of the power grid.

South Australia utility SA Water has energised another solar PV plant as part of a $300 million solar investment designed to save on both costs and carbon. switching on a 10.3 MW solar system at its Rocky Gully pump station near Murray Bridge in the state’s south-east.

Rio Tinto has joined a group of industrial heavyweights including Equinor, Amazon and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as investors in United States-based renewable hydrogen start-up Electric Hydrogen which plans to build green hydrogen production facilities at scale for industrial and infrastructure applications.

Queensland government-owned generator CS Energy has announced plans to build the largest grid-scale battery in the state at Greenbank in Brisbane’s outer southern suburbs. The 200 MW/400 MWh project will be delivered in partnership with Queensland network operator Powerlink.

United States-based solar power developer VivoPower International has secured its largest solar contract to date with Australian subsidiary J.A. Martin Electrical appointed to complete the electrical works for the 204 MWdc Edenvale Solar Farm being developed on Queensland’s Western Downs.

Electric vehicle buyers could soon have another brand to add to their list of potential cars with the DeLorean Motor Company revealing details of its all-electric Alpha 5, a modern reimagining of the 1980s cult classic sports car made famous by the Back to the Future film trilogy.