Spain rockets to fourth in global utility-scale solar listing
Spain recorded more than 20 GW of installed solar capacity at the end of last year, according to recently published data from Wiki-Solar. The website’s founder claims that the country is becoming a PV powerhouse as utility-scale developers increasingly roll out projects.
Revived SEC targets 4.5 GW of renewable generation and storage
Victoria’s State Electricity Commission is officially back as an active energy market participant with the state government revealing the publicly owned enterprise will invest an initial $1 billion (USD 630 million) to help fast-track the delivery of 4.5 GW of new renewable energy and storage projects.
Queensland to legislate public ownership of energy assets, renewables targets
Queensland’s transition from a reliance on coal-fired power to renewables has taken a step forward with the state government tabling a new bill in parliament that locks in its commitments to public ownership in the energy system and renewable energy targets.
Albanese announces $2 billion boost to critical mineral financing
The Australian government has doubled the amount of federal financing available for critical minerals projects to $4 billion (USD 2.56 billion) as it looks to shore up supply chains with the United States, deliver on emissions reduction targets, and build clean energy industries.
Hysata to join Prime Minister in US to explore IRA opportunities
Leaders from Australian hydrogen startup Hysata are joining Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his four-day visit to the US to meet President Joe Biden. Hysata is commercialising a hydrogen electrolysis breakthrough that claims to improve efficiency by 20%.
Flexible demand standards for pools introduced in the US
To help balance variable renewable generation, California has set flexible demand standards for pool controls. The standards will help the state achieve its target of 7 GW of load flexibility by 2030 while saving consumers money.
Industry groups set 2026 target for EU-US hydrogen trade
The US Department of Energy has allocated USD 7 billion ($11 billion) for seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) to deploy commercial-scale clean hydrogen, while the Mission Possible Partnership, RMI, Systemiq, Power2X, and industry leaders have set up the Transatlantic Clean Hydrogen Trade Coalition (H2TC) to ship US clean hydrogen to Europe by 2026.
High Court rules Victoria’s EV tax is ‘invalid’
Victoria’s High Court has deemed the Victorian government’s tax on electric vehicles “invalid”, saying Australia’s Constitution enshrines that only the Commonwealth government has the power to enforce such taxes.
Adelaide cuts emissions at train stations, starts testing hydrogen buses
Diesel trains have been retrofitted with batteries and are now running from Adelaide stations, in the latest of a spate of sustainable transport trials in the South Australian capital. This includes trials with fully electric trains and the beginning of trials with hydrogen-powered and pure electric buses.
Regulator dismisses community dispute of VNI-West interconnector
The Australian Energy Regulator has rejected a community group’s challenge to the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West, or VNI West, transmission project.
