Queensland

The coupling of solar PV energy facilities with water treatment plants continues to grow in popularity with two Queensland councils taking the plunge this week, announcing plans to commence construction on behind-the-metre solar farms.

Sydney-based developer Genex Power has secured a $147 million funding package from the Queensland Government to finance a new transmission network link which will connect the proposed 250 MW Kidston pumped hydro storage project in northern Queensland with the main grid.

The Queensland government, via its state-owned CS Energy, has signed an MoU with Japanese engineering company IHI Corporation to assess the feasibility of a renewable hydrogen plant next to CS Energy’s coal-fired Kogan Creek Power Station on Queensland’s Western Downs.

Australia’s record-breaking embrace of residential and commercial solar PV continues to reduce grid demand in the nation’s electricity systems and has delivered a “world first” for South Australia with solar power matching 100% of the state’s underlying demand for the first time on record.

Korea Zinc Company Ltd., parent company of Townsville-based Sun Metals, has entered into a $17 million financing agreement with the 1,100km CopperString 2.0 transmission line project across North Queensland. The project, which received an $11 million boost from the Federal Government recently, would open up enormous tracts of land for the development of renewable projects and minerals.

Australian-listed oil and gas exploration and development company Real Energy has continued its push into renewable energy, signing a joint venture agreement with private company Liberty Hydrogen to develop four large-scale hydrogen hubs on Australia’s east coast.

Housing developers around Australia are catching on to the allure of incorporating solar in buildings from the get go. This weekend the Queensland Government announced plans for two new state-sponsored solar-powered residential developments to light the way for more private companies to install rooftop PV and batteries as a matter of course.

World-first electric vehicle (EV) charging technology that is 50% quicker than existing 50 kW EV charging stations and capable of simultaneously charging two vehicles has been rolled out on the Gold Coast.

The Federal Government has added a new element to the National Electricity Market (NEM) equation by announcing it will provide up to $11 million to help progress the CopperString 2.0 transmission project in Queensland.

A large-scale battery energy storage system is being proposed by Sydney-based developer Genex Power near Rockhampton, Queensland.