Markets & Policy

As the dust settles on an imperfect, but still welcome, international agreement thrashed out at COP 24, the chairman of the European Energy Research Alliance has criticized the solar industry for its lack of representation in Katowice.

In what is being billed as Australia’s first off-grid, 100% renewable energy project in the oil and gas sector, Santos will power 56 crude oil pumps into solar and battery storage. The project has won a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

A survey run by the Clean Energy Council among senior executives, leading with a combined net worth of more than $17 billion, shows that clean energy investment confidence is strong. The majority of companies are looking to put on extra staff in the next year. However, challenges in achieving project grid connection and policy uncertainty are causing great stress in the long run.

NSW’s University of Newcastle has signed a seven-year contract to cover 100% of its electricity needs across its Newcastle and Central Coast campuses with renewable energy, specifically a mix of solar, wind and hydro power.

ANU’s Professor Andrew Blakers reveals the opportunities provided by rapid solar PV growth: for eliminating fossil fuels by 2032; and powering the processing of iron ore in the Pilbara.

Under a new Investment Mandate, the Morrison government has instructed the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to support the development of a market for firming intermittent sources of renewable energy and to prioritise investments that support “more reliable, 24/7 power“.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $1 million to Ausgrid to boost its innovative grant program for rooftop solar and energy efficient lighting. The program aims to reduce participating customer’s bills, as well as avoid costly network upgrades, in parts of Sydney with low renewables uptake.

Clean-energy advocates have slammed Energy Minister Angus Taylor’s proposal to underwrite investment in new “firm” generation capacity as a “coal-preservation fund”. The first formal outing of the policy appears vague, non-binding, and heading perhaps in the wrong direction.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is upping its equity investment in large scale renewables by almost 40%. The CEFC announced today a $100 million investment in the Infrastructure Capital Group’s (ICG) Australian Renewables Income Fund (ARIF).

As part of its Roadmap to Renewables Plan and transition to 50% renewable energy by 2030, the NT government is set to roll out rooftop solar on up to 25 schools across the state over the next three years.