Utility Scale PV

Western Australian regional energy provider Horizon Power has begun the search for electricity supply solutions that maximise renewable energy sources like solar to power five remote communities in the Kimberley region, reducing their reliance on fossil-fuel generation including diesel and gas.

Australia’s first eight-hour battery energy storage system is set to go ahead with German energy major RWE announcing it has taken the investment decision and signed key contracts for the Limondale battery project being developed in southwest New South Wales.

Australian energy infrastructure asset owner and manager Sustainable Energy Infrastructure is set to broaden its development strategy, teaming with renewables developer ACEnergy to roll out an initial tranche of seven battery energy storage systems with a combined capacity of approximately 35 MW/ 70 MWh.

Consultation on Tasmania’s proposed first coordinated renewable energy zone in the state’s northwest has begun, putting the Apple Isle a step closer to its legislated target to be 200% powered by renewables by 2040.

BloombergNEF says in a new report that solar and wind must drive most emissions cuts before 2030 to stay on track for net zero by 2050. Its net zero scenario targets a combined solar and wind capacity of 31 TW by 2050.

Spending on building renewable energy infrastructure is forecast to peak at $20 billion in 2026, stimulated by the Australian government’s target of 82% electricity from renewables by 2030, but caution remains over workforce capability.

A research group in Spain has demonstrated the technical feasibility of using repaired solar modules with satisfying results. However it warned that there is an urgent need to define a protocol for evaluating the features of a “viable” repaired panel.

Development of the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone is predicted to now accelerate with the federal government’s green bank announcing a $490 million commitment to support the development of key grid infrastructure in the New South Wales central west.

Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen believes the federal government’s $1 billion Solar Sunshot initiative could result in domestic manufacturing providing 20% of the nation’s PV panel needs by the end of the decade.

The CSIRO GenCost report shows renewables remain the cheapest new build electricity technology in Australia, with utility-scale solar emerging as the golden child, despite inflationary pressures, supply chain constraints and costs associated with additional storage and transmission.