Policy

The new federal Energy Minister has revealed his thinking, although few details, as to the measures the government will take in pursuit of its new “laser like” focus on electricity price reduction. While denying that he is a climate sceptic, emissions reduction clearly has no place in proposed policy measures.

The delayed establishment of state-owned renewable energy corporation CleanCo has kicked off. The new generator is expected to save households approximately $70 annually.

Rumor has it industry lobbying has persuaded the government to agree to 300-500 MW of distributed PV in each of the populous nation’s 34 local government areas, with a reduction in “non-technical costs” making up for a lack of guaranteed payment.

It is unclear whether Angus Taylor is a climate sceptic, but with new PM Scott Morrison having immediately separated the energy and environment ministries – and having in the past professed a curious affection for coal – life could be about to get a whole lot tougher for the Australian PV industry.

In its 2018 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO), the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned of a heightened risk of power failure during summer peak-demand periods, based on refinements in weather forecasting and reduced reliability of ageing fossil fuel generators.  

The Victorian Labor Party plans to locate its Solar Victoria agency in the heart of the state’s coal country. The agency is set to administer the state government’s proposed $1.3 billion Solar Homes program.

UNSW’s ARC DECRA Fellow Sophie Lewis and research fellow Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick chart a decade-long failure of Australian emissions reductions policy as evidence of extreme weather events and climate change impacts mount.

Darren Miller, co-founder of Sydney-based solar focused electricity company Mojo Power, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The National Energy Guarantee (NEG) has been stripped of emissions reductions. The unlikely has happened less than one week after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull claimed an overwhelming victory for the policy in the coalition party room.

The Victorian government has announced a massive investment in renewable energy that will bring rooftop solar to 650,000 homes over ten years. The systems will help Victorians save around $890 a year on their power bills with half price solar panels at no up-front cost.