Weekend read: Listening to the vocal community
As the Australian authorities launch rolling tenders for 32 GW of renewables and storage by 2030, it has become clear that some communities have not been brought onside. Heated debate on social media and a frenzy stoked by concerns about the impact on the natural environment are throwing up hurdles for renewables development.
Queensland locks 80% renewable energy by 2035 target into law
The Queensland government has entrenched the transformation of the state’s energy grid by passing laws locking in 80% renewable energy generation by 2035, a move it expects will create more than 100,000 new jobs in manufacturing, renewable energy generation, power transmission and industries of the future.
SGC, SMO to deploy 100 MW of solar waste-to-energy in Australia
Australian project manager SGC will partner with French company SMO to install 100 MW of solar waste-to-energy systems in Australia. They aim to deploy a total of 50 waste-to-energy units in the next three years, with plans to scale up to 1 GW in the future.
WA to target 2 GWh of dispatchable capacity with first CIS tender
Applications for the first West Australian tender under the Commonwealth government’s recently expanded Capacity Investment Scheme will open mid-year with an initial target of 2 GWh of renewable energy storage projects.
Access applications ‘officially open’ for Central-West Orana REZ
The first access rights for up to 6 GW of new solar, wind and storage capacity in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone are now on offer as the New South Wales government continues to progress Australia’s first coordinated renewable energy zone to reality.
Queensland commits $2.5 million for solar panel recycling scheme
The Queensland government has committed $2.5 million to progress the development of an “Australian first” solar panel recycling scheme in preparation for the “thousands” of PV panels installed on rooftops and across large-scale solar farms in the state that are approaching end of life.
Genex backs new takeover bid from Japan’s J-Power
The company behind the 250 MW / 2 GWh Kidston pumped hydro project being developed in north Queensland has given the tick of approval to a $381 million takeover bid from Japanese energy giant J-Power.
Weekend read: Solar through the looking glass
The Silicon to Solar report, partly funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, outlines ways to restore solar manufacturing to the nation with a little help from the country’s major trading partner – China.
Rooftop subsidies and rising costs present roadblocks for large-scale renewables
The head of one of Australia’s largest energy generators, retailers and developers has pointed to rising costs and uncertainty about recovering those costs as the cause of a drop in investment for large-scale renewables that threatens Australia’s clean energy goals.
Solar farms most accepted form of renewables: CSIRO
A CSIRO survey of Australians’ attitudes toward the country’s renewable energy transition has found solar farms have the highest level of acceptance, but in the past three years, that trust has waned.
