Australia

Despair was the predominant emotion when the National Energy Guarantee stumbled, fell and eventually brought down a prime minister. However, the pathway to a proper energy policy, one that will actually set the stage for renewables, might be clearer as a result – argues Simon Holmes à Court.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has offered funding to nine Australian universities and research organizations to propel innovation in green hydrogen export.

In what is set to become its largest infrastructure investment to date, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility is backing the expansion of three Northern Territory airports, with a $150 million loan. Among other development works, the funding will cover construction of solar farms across all three sites.

The South Australian government says it is looking to implement a series of reforms to improve the reliability, affordability and security of the state’s energy market. According to its latest state budget, released on Tuesday, it has allocated $180 million to execute the program.

Chinese wind turbine supplier and project developer Goldwind is looking to offload its Australian wind and large scale solar development pipeline, according to reporting from the Australian Financial Review. The move amounts to one of the first international players looking to exit the Australian renewables marketplace in the face of policy chaos.

Following a grant from the Victorian government, Origin Energy is gearing up to connect solar and battery systems of up to 650 residential and commercial properties across the state, in what will be its first virtual power plant and the largest one in Victoria to date.

If all planned renewable energy projects were to proceed, Queensland would be in line for a $24 billion injection into the state’s economy and over 35,000 new jobs, argues a new Solar Citizens report.

WA-based solar glass developer has signed an MoU with smart street sign and ‘furniture’ producer yStop to integrate its thin film solar glass into bus shelters and illuminated street signs. The MoU, signed with yStop parent Global Smart Cities, is for an exclusive distribution agreement in WA for the integration of ClearVue’s solar glass in bus shelters, and nationally in its LED-illuminated street signs.

Hit hard by volatile energy prices, Australian manufacturers have been advised to reduce their reliance on gas through a range of initiatives that can deliver major efficiency gains, such shifting from gas to solar.

The ASX-listed retail asset manager is set to roll out a massive commercial solar project, which will see an accumulated 31.8 MW of solar PV installed on shopping centers across Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.