Gentailer upheaval: EnergyAustralia reportedly in talks with Macquarie, Grok cuts AGL stake
The changing hands of Australia’s biggest ‘gentailers’ continues, with Mike Cannon-Brookes’ Grok Ventures reducing its stake in AGL, while Macquarie is reportedly in talks to acquire up to a 50% stake in EnergyAustralia.
Neoen wins WA’s Collie big battery tender, moves into long-duration storage market
French renewables developer Neoen has won a 197 MW / 4-hour duration storage contract with AEMO. The contract pertains to the Collie big battery in WA’s south west, with Stage 1 to be operating commercially by October 2024.
Weekend read: Solar recycling’s glass ceiling and other problems
The insolvency of a major Australian solar recycler has highlighted the complexity of remodelling a linear-thinking industry and society into a circular one, reports pv magazine Australia’s Bella Peacock.
Compulsory acquisition letters sent to landowners along Central-West Orana transmission route
Compulsory acquisition letters have been sent to landowners along the route of the Central-West Orana transmission link this week by the state’s Renewable Energy Zone planner, EnergyCo. It marks the beginning of the formal negotiation process for the transmission line, which has yet to be put on public exhibition.
Cambodia to scrap rooftop PV capacity charge, introduce new tariffs
Cambodia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has published a document outlining principles to permit the use of rooftop PV. The new policy replaces a monthly capacity fee for rooftop systems, with a tariff calculated based on an intricate formula.
Brookfield flags $30 billion investment, ‘public benefits’ of Origin decarbonisation to ACCC
The Brookfield consortium looking to acquire Origin Energy has lodged its merger application with the ACCC, arguing the takeover is in the national interest since it will accelerate Australia’s decarbonisation. The application also flags investment figures as high as $30 billion (USD 20 billion), up from the $20 billion previously flagged.
Regulator seeks to disqualify installer from SRES, prosecutes Queensland company
The Clean Energy Regulator has, for the first time, sought to disqualify a solar installer from the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES), effectively Australia’s solar rebate program. It has also commenced civil proceedings against a solar and electrical installation company and its two directors.
Weekend read: ‘Solar crime’ on the rise
With copper prices rising, inflation driving up the cost of living, and organised criminal gangs stepping up operations in the United Kingdom and across Europe, solar project owners need to be more conscious than ever of security, reports Max Hall.
Zero solar export limits soon to be heavily restricted
The Australian Energy Regulator has handed down its final decision on when electricity networks are permitted to impose zero export limits on rooftop solar systems. The answer: almost never.
Australia’s approval of renewable projects has doubled, says Plibersek
Australia federal Labor government has approved 11 new renewable energy and transmission projects in since the election in May 2022. There are currently another 95 renewable projects under assessment.
