New joint venture targets 2 GW solar and storage build-out
Hong Kong-based private equity firm Gaw Capital Partners has teamed with Asian energy storage business BW ESS in a renewable energy venture that intends to develop more than 2 GW of utility-scale solar and battery projects in Australia.
Energy transition speeds up as rooftop PV records tumble
Australia’s rooftop solar sector continues to shine bright with new data from the Australian Energy Market Operator revealing that distributed PV output across the main grid reached a record high in the final quarter of 2023.
Rio inks long-term offtake agreement for 1.1 GW Queensland solar plant
Resources giant Rio Tinto has signed Australia’s largest yet corporate power purchase agreement – agreeing to buy 100% of the output from European Energy Australia’s 1.1 GW Upper Calliope Solar Farm to provide renewable power to its aluminium operations in Queensland.
Developer eyes new opportunities after Mudgee solar farm rejected
Renewables company ITP Development will continue to look for opportunities in regional New South Wales despite the Land and Environment Court having killed off the company’s plans to build a large-scale solar farm near Mudgee in the state’s central west.
EnergyCo announces access rights update for Central-West Orana REZ
Renewable energy generators chasing access rights to the new Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone network will be presented with a streamlined application process as the New South Wales government prioritises achieving financial close on the network project.
RAC counters driver anxiety with mobile EV charging service
Western Australian motoring organisation RAC is trialling an electric roadside assistance van specifically designed to provide a mobile battery top-up service for electric vehicle drivers who run out of charge.
Solar corporate funding hits decade-long high in 2023
PV funding activity increased by 42% year-on-year in 2023, driven by strong growth in private market financing and debt financing, despite a decrease in the total number of deals, according to United States-headquartered consultancy Mercom Capital Group.
BHP searches for renewables to power Pilbara operations
Mega-miner BHP has reportedly put a request for proposal out to energy suppliers seeking new wind, solar and battery energy storage capacity as it progresses plans to electrify and decarbonise its mining operations in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Investor group warns of revenue risk for solar farms
The Clean Energy Investor Group has warned that solar farms in southwest New South Wales and northwest Victoria could suffer from “large and unpredictable” swings in revenues because of material changes in marginal loss factors.
Government shift sees Frontier turn to battery for WA solar project
Frontier Energy has revised its strategy for the first stage of the proposed Waroona Renewable Energy Project being developed in Western Australia’s southwest to include a four-hour 80 MW battery energy storage system in a move that is expected to have significantly better economics than solar alone.
