Contract awarded for New Zealand’s first big battery
New Zealand is set to have its first big battery by 2024, after Meridian Energy awarded a contract to build the 100 MW / 200 MWh Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System to Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies.
Four global trends in solar and storage in 2023
A review of recent solar and storage related trends as seen by IHS Markit.
WA land allocation advances plans for 26 GW renewable energy hub
British energy giant BP’s plans to build one of the world’s largest renewable energy and green hydrogen hubs in remote Western Australia has received a significant boost with the state government allocating land that supports the development of the proposed 26 GW project.
US startup to build 100 MW solar plant with modules on ground
Erthos claims that with its new installation method, solar facilities could occupy just one-third of the surface covered by conventional PV plants, potentially reducing installations costs by up to 20%.
NZ developer starts work on first in suite of five large-scale solar farms
New Zealand generation company Lodestone Energy has commenced early construction works on the first of five utility-scale solar farms it intends to develop across the nation’s upper North Island at a cost of $285.5 million (USD 191.5 million).
EnergyCo makes move to formalise Illawarra REZ
The New South Wales government has declared the Illawarra region on the state’s south coast is set to become a renewable energy and clean manufacturing powerhouse after outlining plans for a coordinated renewable energy zone that will deliver at least 1 GW of new network capacity as the state transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Danish renewables giant buys Queensland clean energy hub
Danish investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has sharpened its focus on long-duration storage in Australia, announcing it has acquired the proposed Bowen Renewable Energy Hub project that is expected to combine 1.4 GW of pumped hydro storage with huge solar and wind generation.
FRV reaches financial close on another solar farm, second big battery to come
FRV Australia has reached financial close on its Walla Walla Solar Farm thanks to a PPA with Microsoft. The company is also progressing its second big battery in Australia, the 250 MW / 500 MWh Gnarwarre battery in Victoria, after winning support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
SA solar-plus-battery project energised in ‘fast’ mid-scale push across NEM
The 5 MW Woods Point Solar and Storage Farm in South Australia is open – it is one of three identical solar storage projects being commissioned by SEI and Yes Group in December, and part of a much larger mid-scale play.
Danish developer grabs major stake in 3.6 GW Queensland project
Danish renewable energy developer European Energy has acquired a majority stake in a 3.6 GW integrated solar and battery energy storage facility and green hydrogen production plant being developed near Gladstone on the central Queensland coast.
