COAG energy ministers backs development of national hydrogen strategy
The December meeting of the COAG Energy Council has grabbed headlines as NSW attempted to push for a zero-emissions policy only to be blocked by Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor. But, in a rare substantive outcome of the meeting, the energy ministers agreed to develop a national hydrogen strategy.
140 MW solar farm approved for Mulwala, NSW
With NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin drawing a line on energy and climate policy between the state Liberals and the feds, the NSW government continues to pursue its renewables agenda waving through another large-scale solar project.
Genex Power partners with EnergyAustralia on Kidston solar-pumped hydro project
Sydney-based publicly listed Genex Power has signed an agreement with electricity provider EnergyAustralia to begin construction on the 250 MW pumped hydro project as part of the Kidston renewables hub in north Queensland. Genex is now looking to secure financing for a 270 MW solar component of the project.
Federal Energy Minister unleashes a hailstorm of safety warnings on rooftop PV
At the end of another year or record rooftop PV installations, national Minister for Energy Angus Taylor warns Australian state governments to “consider the potential risks” of rapid solar industry growth.
55 MW PV coupled with four-hour storage, for $150 million ‘solar peaker’
The Lyon Group is partnering with Japanese energy giant JERA and battery technology provider Fluence to deliver the 55 MW Cape York Battery Power Plant. The $150 million solar+storage project secured its generator performance standard, clearing the way for construction to begin in early 2019.
ANU researchers eliminate interlayer in tandem solar cells
Engineers from the Australian National University, in collaboration with researchers from and the California Institute of Technology, have developed a way to combine silicon PV material with perovskites to achieve higher efficiencies and lower production costs.
Last man standing: Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor called out even by NSW Libs
NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin is tentatively welcomed into the renewable-energy winners’ circle as an acrimonious COAG meeting shows the Federal Government ever more on the outer.
Victoria announces hydrogen program, community renewables grants
The Andrews Labor government is investing $2 million to boost the development of clean hydrogen energy technologies, and $1.1 million to support renewable energy projects in local communities across Victoria.
Coal generator owner inks major solar PPA
Vales Point coal-fired power station owner, Delta Electricity, will purchase most of the output of the 275 MW Darlington Solar Farm in New South Wales under a deal that both sides see as a demonstration of the growing role of renewable energy.
Santos to power oil well operations with solar+storage
In what is being billed as Australia’s first off-grid, 100% renewable energy project in the oil and gas sector, Santos will power 56 crude oil pumps into solar and battery storage. The project has won a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
