Solar installers, designers, have 3 months to move to new accreditation scheme after CEC stripped of role
Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator has selected a new body to take over the role of accrediting solar installers and designers, a position previously held by the Clean Energy Council. The new organisation will be formally announced in February, 2024, with solar installers given three months to transition to the new scheme at no extra fee.
NSW gov proposes ‘standard’ benefit sharing and revised approval pathways to accelerate renewables
The NSW government has published a suite of draft guidelines for renewable projects, most notably proposing community benefit sharing fees of $850/MW per annum for solar, and $1050/MW for wind. While the guidelines are an attempt to level the playing field between communities, local councils, and big developers, some fear the proposed rules could undercut ongoing negotiations.
New land, water licenses granted for 8 GW green hydrogen project in WA’s Gascoyne
Province Resources, a Perth-based company developing an 8 GW green hydrogen project in the state’s Gascoyne region, has had additional licences granted by the WA government covering an area over 600,000 hectares, including over 864 hectares of the seabed near Carnarvon needed for export.
Canberra big battery significantly delayed due to connection compliance issues
Neoen’s Capital battery project in Canberra is facing significant delays due to connection compliance testing, with the company flagging potential for it to pursue damages from EPC contractor Doosan GridTech. The completed battery was expected to be operational in early 2023.
Queensland to legislate public ownership of energy assets, renewables targets
Queensland’s transition from a reliance on coal-fired power to renewables has taken a step forward with the state government tabling a new bill in parliament that locks in its commitments to public ownership in the energy system and renewable energy targets.
High Court rules Victoria’s EV tax is ‘invalid’
Victoria’s High Court has deemed the Victorian government’s tax on electric vehicles “invalid”, saying Australia’s Constitution enshrines that only the Commonwealth government has the power to enforce such taxes.
Regulator dismisses community dispute of VNI-West interconnector
The Australian Energy Regulator has rejected a community group’s challenge to the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West, or VNI West, transmission project.
Queensland reforms hydrogen pipeline laws
The Queensland Parliament has passed new legislation that will see hydrogen pipelines regulated in the same way as fossil fuel gases, creating clearer regulatory pathways and safety assessments for hydrogen projects.
‘Australia’s largest battery’: Equis’ 2.4 GWh battery in Melbourne secures federal approval
One of the world’s largest batteries at 1.2 GW / 2.4 GWh has been approved by Australia’s federal government for a site in Melbourne’s northwest.
Brookfield’s $18 billion bid for Origin approved by ACCC
Australia’s antitrust watchdog has approved Brookfield’s takeover bid for Origin Energy, clearing the way for shareholders to vote on one of Australia’s largest recent corporate buyouts.
