Markets & Policy

Western Australian government-owned utility Synergy has commenced construction of its third grid-scale battery as the state government looks to ramp up energy storage capacity to support its planned transition from coal-fired power generation to renewables.

The Victorian state government has reported a record uptake of hot water rebates and has announced an expansion of this program. Meanwhile, six projects have been given funding to deliver 25 neighbourhood batteries across 20 towns.

A coalition of leading interest groups across Australia has called on the federal government to introduce local content requirements in renewable energy projects. Multiple economic, business and social benefits for the Australian economy would result, according to the groups.

Social housing advocate group Shelter WA has called on the Western Australian government to invest in the energy efficiency of social housing. With rising temperatures, upgrading energy efficiency in social housing, including solar and energy storage, would alleviate power bills as well as state healthcare costs.

Premier Jacinta Allan today announced that the Victorian government will accelerate planning approvals for renewable energy projects. The move is meant to ensure that projects that bring energy prices down can come online with greater speed.

Legislation that would require EU member states to integrate solar installations into future building works, and retroactively install PV on buildings, is one step closer to becoming law, after being approved by members of the European Parliament.

New Zealand’s transition to a renewable energy future has taken a significant step forward with the nation’s first grid-scale battery energy storage project now offering injectable reserves to the electricity market for the first time.

Both active in the Australian renewables market, Philippines-based energy company ACEN has partnered with United States-headquartered producer BrightNight to develop the latter’s 1 GW renewable power portfolio in the Philippines.

A new report published by the Clean Energy Investor Group calls for federal and state governments to financially back long-duration energy storage assets to ensure Australia’s clean energy transition 2030 targets are met.

Investment bank Macquarie Group has sold its share in the 26 GW Australian Renewable Energy Hub megaproject proposed for Western Australia’s Pilbara region to oil and gas giant bp.