Markets & Policy

As it transitions from a wind-dominated renewable energy mix to include a wider range of energy options such as large-scale PV, pumped hydro and battery storage projects, South Australia is considering new planning policies.

The Independent Planning Commission has approved a $94 million solar project near Gunnedah in New South Wales, under some added conditions.

According to the latest market forecast published by Wood Mackenzie, it seems that global PV installation figures will rise to 125 GW per year from 2020. Continued global capacity expansion will come in through a growing gigawatts-club.

The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) released its 2018 Administrative Report on Thursday, and not only does it predict that Australia will easily meet its 2020 Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (RET), but that the target will be exceeded substantially. Moreover, in the last year commercial factors overtook government incentives as the main driver of renewable investment – a watershed moment and one in which commercial and industrial solar arrays is playing no small role.  

The South Australian government is looking to extend its Home Battery Scheme subsidy of up to $6000 and low interest loans to rental properties, property developers and aged care facilities.

The Smart Energy Council and Solar Cutters assembled a group of installers to send the message that the Solar Homes rebate scheme is damaging the Victorian solar sector today. The rally was also supported by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), which has called for the Solar Homes rebate to be reduced, and the monthly installation cap ended.

Study claims that investment in a new 1GW nuclear power plant leads to average losses of approximately 4.8 billion euros. It further argues that the technology’s dangerous radioactivity emissions and proliferation risks do not qualify it as a ‘clean’ energy solution to be considered for addressing climate change. Yet still, governments are incorporating the technology into clean energy plans around the world.

The Queensland government’s reverse auction got a step closer with the announcement of 10 shortlisted renewable energy proponents as it seeks to bring up another 400 MW of solar and wind energy and battery storage into the market.

All of Kellogg’s energy requirements for its NSW manufacturing operations will come from solar power. The cereal manufacturer has signed a power purchase agreement with the Beryl Solar Farm for the next seven-and-a-half years.

Private sector infrastructure fund manager Infradebt has provided a $7 million senior debt facility for Terregra’s Mobilong and Moyhall solar farms in South Australia.