Markets & Policy

Early works have commenced on the largest solar farm to reach financial close in New Zealand with Genesis Energy and renewables partner FRV Australia confirming they have finalised the financing for the 47 MW Lauriston Solar Farm.

In a major leap towards the state achieving its sustainable energy goals, Western Australia’s Kwinana Battery Stage Two project has reached a pivotal milestone with Synergy having successfully installed the containerised battery systems at what is to be the largest grid-connected battery in the state.

Squadron Energy, the private renewables group controlled by the billionaire Forrest family, has pledged to deliver 14 GW of new clean energy generation and storage projects in Australia by the end of the decade.

The International Energy Agency has forecast the rollout of rooftop solar in Australia will drop off “faster than anticipated” with increasing grid integration challenges and saturation of the power system contributing to a revision of expectations for renewable energy growth in the country.

“Substantial” profits available in the recently introduced Very Fast Frequency Control Ancillary Services markets will lead to a surge in battery involvement according to new data provided by energy market consultancy and research group Cornwall Insight Australia.

A record 921 MW of PV was installed across Australian rooftops in the final quarter of 2023, taking new rooftop solar capacity to about 3.17 GW for all of last year, second only to the 3.23 GW total rolled out in 2021.

A worker is being treated in hospital for burns and police are investigating after an inverter burst into flames at the 30 MW Mannum Stage 2 solar farm being developed near the town of the same name in South Australia’s Riverland region.

Researchers from The University of New South Wales have developed a “scalable solution” they say overcomes the rechargeability challenges associated with aqueous zinc battery technology, potentially redefining energy storage for homes and grids.

French renewables developer TE H2’s ambition to be an early mover in Australia’s giga-scale renewable energy generation and hydrogen production industry has received a boost with the Northern Territory government awarding major project status to the proposed Darwin H2 Hub.

Solar glass manufacturer ClearVue Technologies will look to ramp up the commercialisation of its power-generating solar windows in Australia after finalising its first manufacturing and distribution agreement in the country.