Australia backs global renewable energy boost
Australia is among more than 100 countries that have committed to triple the world’s renewable energy generation capacity within six years, signing a pledge on the sidelines of the United Nation’s COP28 climate summit being staged in the United Arab Emirates.
Hanwha Qcells shuts down 3.5 GW solar factory in South Korea
Hanwha Qcells has closed its 3.5 GW solar factory in South Korea as part of plans to optimise its PV module production capabilities amid a stagnant domestic solar market.
$220 million bailout so WA coal mine can continue to mid-2026
The Western Australian government has just allocated $220 million to support Griffin coal mine, so operations may continue until June 2026. The funding was announced by Premier Roger Cook and the Minister for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Bill Johnston, who earlier announced he is stepping down from cabinet last week.
BP to take full control of Lightsource BP
Energy giant BP announced today it would take full ownership of solar and wind energy developer Lightsource BP once a deal – pertaining to the purchase of the remaining renewables company’s shares BP does not own – goes through next year.
Australia’s biggest battery project changes shape as Equis reaches FID, begins construction
Through a co-funding deal with Victoria’s newly revived SEC, Equis Development has reached financial close and begun construction on phase 1 of its giant 1.2 GW Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub. Plans for the hub, which includes gigawatt hours of storage, seem to have shifted somewhat, with phase 1 now three independent batteries of 200 MW with either two- or four-hours of storage.
Tritium scrabbles for finance, courts investors and bans media from AGM
Brisbane-based electric vehicle charging company Tritium has been involved in a whirlwind of activity this week as it fends off being thrown off Nasdaq, sets about closing its manufacturing in Brisbane and courts new investors. Tritium has pioneered standards in fast charging not only for electric cars but also solutions for trucks and speciality vehicles. Chargers from Tritium went into operation today for container tractors at the Port of Long Beach, California.
Solar productivity negatively impacted by emissions and aerosols, study finds
A study by engineers at UNSW, published in the Renewable Energy journal, shows that aerosols and greenhouse gas emissions reduce the productivity of photovoltaic installations and that this differs according to the global region.
New Zealand’s largest utility-scale solar project starts generating power
Lodestone Energy has started generating electricity at its solar farm in Kaitaia, New Zealand’s largest solar farm and first utility scale solar installation to date.
The extraordinary story of rooftop solar in Australia’s National Electricity Market
The sun is shining, the weather is sweet. In this Opinion and Analysis piece, Lumi Adisa, Director of Energy Market Analytics at NEOM and ex-Investment Director of Energy Markets at Octopus Investments Australia, presents a deep dive into the unprecedented impact of rooftop solar in the NEM. As rooftop solar continues to drive changes in the intraday demand and price trends, it is evident that customers will remain a significant part of the energy transition for years to come.
More battery projects approved in Victoria
Planning permits have been granted to two large battery projects by Victoria’s planning department: the existing Elaine Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) by Akaysha Energy has been approved for expansion at its four-hour energy battery, and Flow Energy’s BESS project at Bennett’s Creek that will further transform the former coal country into a hub for 24/7 renewable energy.
