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.
Big battery capacity jumps globally 12-fold in four years
The global capacity of utility-scale batteries has increased by more than 12 times between 2020 and 2024, according to the International Energy Agency Electricity 2026 report.
Global-warming-induced degradation could raise rooftop solar LCOE by up to 20%
A global study finds climate change will sharply increase high-temperature risks, accelerate degradation, and raise costs for rooftop PV, with economically disadvantaged regions hit hardest. Researchers warn current IEC standards underestimate future risks, urging urgent updates to avoid stranded assets and rising electricity costs.
How delays in Australia’s switch to clean energy are hurting workers
Australia is still dragging its feet on decarbonising the economy. Last September, the Albanese government committed to a 62–70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035 and net zero by 2050. However, only one month later, the government conceded it would fall just shy of its 2030 target and likely miss net zero without significant changes.
