Regulator ramps up inspections as solar battery installations surge
Solar battery installers have been warned to “do it once and do it well” as the number of batteries installed across Australia under the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program surges past the 250,000 milestone, delivering a combined 6.3 GWh of capacity.
CER projects up to 12 GWh capacity from 520,000 home batteries in 2026
In 2026, the Clean Energy Regulator forecasts that up to 12 GWh of storage from a potential 520,000 residential battery installations will occur, and rooftop solar will rebound from 2.8 GW in 2025 to between 3-3.7 GW.
Mandate 100% clean energy for data centre approvals proposed
An alliance of 11 major industry, environment and union groups have delivered a plan to the federal government that proposes data centre operators invest in 100% new renewable energy to power their operation, and also fund new energy workforce training.
Smart Energy Council head to lead APAC energy transition role
Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes has been appointed head of the Renewable Energy Council Asia-Pacific where he aims to step up clean energy deployment across the APAC region.
Malaysia restricts non-AI data centres, citing energy concerns
Malaysia’s prime minister Anwar Ibrahim said future policy will ensure domestic consumers and the electricity grid are protected amid the country’s data centre expansion. This could include leveraging the ASEAN Power Grid project to cover any supply shortfalls.
NSW backs pumped hydro to deliver long-duration storage
Pumped hydro continues to push for a place in Australia’s energy transition with the New South Wales government recently declaring two multi-billion-dollar projects Critical State Significant Infrastructure.
Ausgrid launches new community battery to support solar
New South Wales electricity distributor Ausgrid has added another centralised community battery to its portfolio, powering up a combined 10 MW energy storage system in the southwest Sydney suburb of Bankstown.
Big battery faces siting pushback in South Australia
Despite the project already being altered four times, a local South Australian council has formally opposed the Blanche battery location as the state licensing process continues.
Clean energy harvest in store for New Zealand solar on farms trial
A New Zealand government program subsidising and testing battery storage and solar systems on farms across the country, have announced an inaugural uptake of 32 agricultural businesses have signed on to its Solar on Farms program.
NSW transformer manufacturer lands $22 million expansion grant
A New South Wales-based manufacturer of power and distribution transformers has been granted $22 million from the state government as part of a $52 million outlay to “supercharge” renewable energy manufacturing sectors.
