Why Australia needs friends (and a climate AUKUS) to reach its climate goals
AUKUS has been widely hailed as Australia’s largest-ever defence investment and the Quad as a new focus for defence strategy – but what do they mean for our energy landscape? SMA’s Joshua Birmingham argues it’s time to look beyond defence cost and grow our relationships to fight the climate change war.
Territory targets ‘renewable energy hub’ with budget spend
The Northern Territory government has committed $12 million (USD 8.05 million) in its latest budget to accelerate the development of a “sustainable” industrial hub that will be largely powered by renewables as it looks to continue the overhaul of its electricity system.
Clean energy takes centre stage in federal budget, industry reactions
The Albanese Labor government has delivered its 2023 – 2024 budget, placing energy front and centre. The budget takes the government’s total spend on making Australia a renewable superpower to $40 billion (USD 27 billion). While many in the industry have applauded the budget, there are some glaring contradictions.
Australia warned of over-mining risk in rush to secure critical minerals
Australia is at risk of over-mining key transition minerals by relying on “overblown” demand assumptions, according to a new report which warns policy steps to encourage responsible and sustainable use of critical minerals, such as improved battery recycling, are being ignored.
Feds launch national body to seize clean energy opportunities
A new national authority to help plan and coordinate Australia’s transition from fossil fuel production and associated industries to a renewables dominated economy has been unveiled ahead of next week’s Federal Budget.
Failure to cut energy consumption stymies Australia’s net zero progress, ABS statistics show
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown that while renewable generation in Australia has increased significantly year on year, the country’s progress towards net zero is stymied by the failure to reduce consumption.
To be truly sustainable in our energy transition, we need to think local
This year, I’m celebrating 13 years of working in renewables in Australia. Reflecting on what I’ve learned in my career, especially in undertaking the daunting task of founding an Australian EPC firm, the key lesson has been an obvious yet critical one: to achieve local energy goals, we must think locally.
Taronga hit renewables target with new energy deal
A long-term power purchasing agreement utilising the 174 MW Wellington Solar Farm will deliver enough clean energy to allow the assets and facilities of two of Australia’s largest zoos to be powered by 100% renewable electricity seven years ahead of schedule.
Superpower Institute points to ‘once-in-a-century’ opportunity
The chair of a new think tank that is pushing for Australia to accelerate the rollout of renewables and become a global clean energy superpower believes the world’s shift towards green energy is a bigger opportunity for the nation than the resources boom.
‘Record’ renewables under construction says report which contrasts earlier analysis
Industry peak body the Clean Energy Council has arrived at a starkly different conclusion about Australia’s large-scale renewable segment in 2023 compared to independent analyst Sunwiz. In its latest report, it hails the number of utility projects under construction and is highly optimistic about the segment’s prospects.
