Oceania

Australian engineering firm UGL has begun building the 125MWp Glenrowan Solar Farm in Victoria’s northeast after solar-focused developer Esco Pacific announced it had finalised the sale of the project to Australia-based contractor Cimic Group.

New South Wales transmission network owner Transgrid has commenced construction on its section of the $2.3 billion Project EnergyConnect, the high-voltage electricity transmission interconnector that will link power grids across three states, unlocking gigawatts of planned renewable energy projects.

The Australian Hydrogen Council is calling on the newly elected Federal Government to provide policy certainty, new investment and “targeted transition deadlines” to help create a market for green hydrogen and allow Australia’s emerging industry to thrive.

Newly elected Prime Minster Anthony Albanese has announced Chris Bowen as the new Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Entering office with a climate crisis, surging energy prices and an electricity grid in transition, Bowen has his hands full.

Australian software company OpenSolar has teamed with renewable energy engineering consultancy, education and training provider Global Sustainable Energy Solutions to launch an online “academy” that offers solar installers a one-stop shop for running their business while securing and maintaining Clean Energy Council accreditations.

With over a dozen solar farms colocated with grazing sheep in Australia, results are looking positive. Graziers in New South Wales are reporting improved wool quality from the agrivoltaics trials, with some even saying they’ve had greater wool yields from running less sheep.

The newly elected South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas has today launched the market sounding for its hydrogen production facility near Whyalla, as well as the introduction of legislation to regulate hydrogen production, storage and transportation. 

Kallis Energy Investments has confirmed it will shelve its proposal to build a 6 GW renewable hydrogen project in Moolawatana, South Australia, due to water supply issues.

Melbourne-based 8 Star Energy has been announced as a distribution partner alongside Germany-based Memodo as world leading battery brand Energizer launches its Energizer Solar PV portfolio across Europe.

Australian power producer AGL Energy has abandoned its plan to split the company into two, conceding defeat in the face of “opposition from a small number of investors” including major investor Mike Cannon-Brookes.