Queensland

With Australia’s presence felt strongly at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam last week, state governments are working to secure European markets through partnership agreements. Yesterday, New South Wales signed an initial agreement with Denmark which will see the distant pair support one another on matters of decarbonisation technology and trade. Just a few days earlier, Queensland’s government signed an MoU with the Netherland’s Port of Rotterdam to collaborate on opportunities to develop a hydrogen export supply chain.

Australian renewable energy developer MPower has boosted its solar PV and energy storage portfolio, announcing it has finalised an $8 million transaction which will see it purchase the Lakeland Solar & Energy Storage Project in far north Queensland.

A plan to “rewire” one of Australia’s largest cities by electrifying the region’s homes and vehicles and powering them with solar energy would save the average household almost $5,000 a year, generate more than 24,000 jobs and provide an overall annual economic benefit of approximately $3.9 billion.

Queensland-based transport group SeaLink Marine & Tourism has won state government backing to build a “world-first” internationally compliant renewable hydrogen-powered passenger ferry.

Japanese industrial heavyweight Sumitomo Corporation has declared a green hydrogen pilot plant to be built at resources giant Rio Tinto’s Yarwun alumina refinery near Gladstone in Queensland has the potential to shape the future of the heavy industry sector in Australia.

Queensland government-owned utility CS Energy has signed a deal with ASX-listed gas company Senex Energy to develop the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant, which is set to produce 50 tonnes of green hydrogen annually from behind-the-meter solar PV energy.

The Commonwealth government’s Critical Minerals Accelerator Initiative has awarded a $5.2 million grant to Canberra and Brisbane-based Lava Blue, a company seeking to improve the processes of valuable minerals from vanadium pentoxide processing waste, particularly high purity alumina.

Global investment manager Igneo Infrastructure Partners will acquire Elliot Green Power, along with its solar and storage portfolio, via its Australian business, Atmos Renewables.

Developer Renewable Energy Partners has announced plans for a 180 MW solar PV project, possibly with a battery storage system, in the Western Downs region of Queensland.

Increased demand and continual outages at gas and coal power plants in Queensland have seen a rise in the occurrence of extreme price spikes. The timing of these spikes, typically at peak hours between 5pm and 8pm, are seeing solar revenues soar just as the sun is setting.