Former NSW energy minister to chair Climate Change Authority
Former New South Wales energy minister Matt Kean has been appointed the new chair of the federal government’s Climate Change Authority.
Court issues $40,000 fines for rooftop solar licence-sharing scheme
Two Western Australian companies and three people have been fined almost $40,000 for an illegal electrical licence-sharing arrangement involving 25 rooftop solar installations at properties in the state’s southwest.
National tender flooded with 40 GW of clean energy projects
Australia’s first national Capacity Investment Scheme auction has been inundated with expressions of interest, with the federal government revealing that investors have tabled 40 GW of new renewable energy generation projects such as wind and solar.
Weekend read: Time to talk curtailment
It’s time to assess curtailment, as rising amounts of excess generation are being wasted in several markets. This can be problematic for the solar industry but Toby Couture and David Jacobs, coordinators of think tank Global Solar PV Brain Trust, argue that curtailment is not always bad.
Sunshine Coast to host Australian first local renewable energy zone
A “nation first” local renewable energy zone will be established on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast as part of a pilot program designed to boost rooftop solar generation, store it and share it locally across the poles and wires infrastructure that already exists.
Pacific adds 700 MW NSW solar farm to growing pipeline
Australian infrastructure developer Pacific Partnerships has added one of the largest proposed solar farms in Australia to its growing portfolio, purchasing the development rights for the 700 MW Cobbora Solar Farm and co-located battery energy storage project planned for western New South Wales.
AEMO calls for sustained investment as WA power supply outlook improves
The Australian Energy Market Operator has eased forecasts of a looming capacity shortfall in Western Australia’s main electricity grid but has warned of the need for “substantial and sustained” investment in renewables to replace coal-fired power stations and meet surging demand from customers electrifying their operations.
Southeast Asia bets big on pumped hydro with 18 GW tipped by 2033
The increasing role of pumped hydro technology in Australia’s renewable energy transition is expected to be mirrored in the neighbouring Southeast Asia region with international consultancy Rystad Energy tipping the total capacity of operational projects will surge from the current 2.3 GW to 18 GW by 2033.
Japanese utilities giant’s proposed takeover of Genex lands FIRB approval
Japanese energy utility J-Power’s proposed acquisition of Australian renewables and pumped hydro developer Genex Power has received Foreign Investment Review Board approval.
WA green lights first solar project under streamlined approvals process
Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation’s ambition to be a key player in Australia’s clean energy transition has received a boost with the Western Australian government fast tracking approval for a 150 MW solar project in the Pilbara.
