Renewables are cheap. So why isn’t your power bill falling?
Power prices are set to go up again even though renewables now account for 40% of the electricity in Australia’s main grid – close to quadruple the clean power we had just 15 years ago. How can that be, given renewables are the cheapest form of newly built power generation?
Global solar installations could reach 1 TW next year
BloombergNEF reports the world installed nearly 600 GW of solar power in 2024, closely aligning with projections that annual global solar installations will surpass 1 TW within the next few years. Although projections for 2025 currently fall short of that pace, early forecasts often underestimate actual deployment.
Western Australia CIS tender awards four battery projects totalling 654 MW
Four new big battery projects in Western Australia have been named in the state’s first Capacity Investment Scheme tender, and combined equate to 654 MW and 2,595 MWh capacity, which is enough to supply the peak electricity load for over 600,000 homes for four hours.
Australia’s only silicon manufacturer bags $38 million in federal funding
Western Australia silicon manufacturer Simcoa Operations has received a $39.8 million investment from the Australian government to boost the country’s silicon manufacturing capability.
Hydrogen Headstart to break ground with Western Australia project
Danish renewable energy investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has been successful in the federal government’s first Hydrogen Headstart round for its Murchison green hydrogen project in Western Australia.
Endeavour Energy plans rollout of community batteries in Illawarra region
New South Wales distribution network operator Endeavour Energy will install four community batteries on council land in the Wollongong region, with a further 13 suitable sites identified across the Illawarra.
Pacific Green completes sale of 250 MW / 500 MWh Limestone Coast North BESS
Pacific Green has reached financial close and completed the sale of 100% of the shares in its Limestone Coast North Energy Park to Intera Renewables in a $460 million deal.
Altech secures permit to build sodium-ion battery factory in Germany
The German subsidiary of the Perth-based sodium chloride solid-state battery specialist is moving ahead with its plans to build a 120 MWh production plant in Germany. The project is expected to amount to about $267 million.
Trina Storage Elementa 2 Pro 5 MWh unveiled in Australia
China-headquartered energy storage solutions company and business unit of Trinasolar, Trina Storage has unveiled its next-generation Elementa 2 Pro 5 MWh energy storage system to the Australian market.
Commercial segment surges as residential rooftop backs off
Australia’s solar rollout continues to reach new heights with a combined total of 4.7 GW of small- and large-scale PV installed across the country in 2024 but shifts in the rooftop market suggests diversification of services will be key for the nation’s installer community going forward.
