Weekend read: Southeast Asian solar’s bright future
Ibrahim Ariffin and JP Grayda, from Afry Management Consulting, examine two promising ASEAN markets, the Philippines and Malaysia, and the challenges they face as they strive to hit renewable energy targets. The long-term outlook is broadly positive, despite some uncertainties.
AGL and Origin switch gears on energy transition strategy
AGL Energy has followed suit with Origin Energy to say it will shift from direct investment into renewable energy generation toward decarbonisation targets, favouring alternatives like pumped hydro, gas and batteries.
Pacific Blue starts build of 60 MW battery in South Australia
Pacific Blue Australia has turned the sods on construction of its $100 million, 60 MW / 130 MWh grid scale battery at Clements Gap in South Australia and is the company’s first storage system scheduled to commence operation in 2026.
Modular solar solution helps mining operation shift to renewables
Modular solar specialist 5B’s pre-assembled and relocatable Maverick solar solution has been unfolded in another off-grid hybrid renewable energy project as the decarbonisation of Australia’s mining sector continues.
Frontier Energy boosts Waroona battery duration
Renewables developer Frontier Energy has boosted the duration of the 80 MW battery energy storage system planned for the Waroona Renewable Energy Project being developed near Perth by 12% to 4.5 hours. The first stage of the project is to also include a 120 MW solar farm.
65 MW agrivoltaic project gets consent in New Zealand
United Kingdom renewables company Ethical Power has the green light to develop the agrivoltaic 65 MW Buckleys Road Solar Farm and battery energy storage system in New Zealand’s south island.
Queensland budget amps up renewables with $26 billion investment
The 2024–25 Queensland Budget has delivered on its commitment to invest $26 billion into the state’s energy transformation, funding the renewable energy sector and grid infrastructure to progress its legislated target of 75% emissions reduction by 2035.
AGL tips $150 million into UK-born smart energy platform
Energy major AGL will invest $150 million for a 20% stake in smart energy platform Kaluza in a move the utility hopes will radically transform its retail operations and deliver significant savings.
CEC calls for new policies to support increased uptake of rooftop solar, home batteries
The Clean Energy Council is calling for a unified national strategy to “supercharge” the uptake of consumer energy resources including rooftop solar and home batteries in Australia, saying such a move would deliver more than $22 billion in savings and 18,200 extra jobs by 2050.
BE Power adds 9.6 GWh pumped hydro project to Queensland pipeline
Queensland’s pipeline of pumped hydro storage projects continues to grow with Victorian-based renewables company BE Power announcing plans to develop an 800 MW / 9.6 GWh project at Mount Alma near Gladstone.
