Policy

The International Energy Agency has forecast the rollout of rooftop solar in Australia will drop off “faster than anticipated” with increasing grid integration challenges and saturation of the power system contributing to a revision of expectations for renewable energy growth in the country.

Plans to build an almost 1 GW solar farm and battery energy storage facility in southern Queensland are now available for public scrutiny with the Toowoomba Regional Council calling for feedback on the development application.

The rooftop solar juggernaut shows no signs of slowing in Australia with an unprecedented contribution from household PV systems delivering a string of new records in the National Electricity Market to close out 2023.

Six green hydrogen projects with a total electrolyser capacity of more 3.5 GW have been shortlisted for the Australian government’s $2 billion (USD 1.35 billion) Hydrogen Headstart initiative that is intended to support the development of 1 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030 through two to three “flagship” projects.

The New South Wales government has formalised its decision to double the size of Australia’s first coordinated renewable energy zone, boosting its capacity to 6 GW of solar, wind and storage in a move designed to better cater for the state’s future energy as it transitions from coal and gas to a renewables-based grid.

Five energy infrastructure projects representing 750 MW of renewable energy generation and 524 MW/4,192 MWh of long-duration storage have been successful to the New South Wales government’s latest tender round as it prepares for the exit of coal-fired power generation from the state’s electricity grid.

European Union member states have installed a “record-breaking” 56 GW of PV over the last 12 months – consistent with the past three years of 40% year-on-year growth, according to SolarPower Europe. But the association warns that solar’s moment in the sun could soon be over, as energy prices stabilise and project interest rates skyrocket.

The New South Wales government has released the design of a proposed new plan that would give Australia’s energy ministers the power to direct coal-fired and other generators to continue operations if the capacity is deemed necessary to maintain grid reliability and security.

Australia’s independent energy markets and power systems operator has warned urgent investment in generation, firming and transmission is needed with forecasts showing the National Electricity Market needs to almost triple its installed capacity in less than 30 years.

Just days after a regulation to prevent new gas network connections to buildings in the Australian Capital Territory came into effect, the Victorian government has released updated plans designed to end that state’s reliance on fossil gas.