South Australia

Dylan McConnell from the Australian German Climate and Energy College, at the University of Melbourne, evaluates Federal Government Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher’s claim that South Australians face the highest electricity charges in Australia as a result of the former Weatherill Government’s policies.

The National Energy Guarantee (NEG) is looking more likely to be implemented with the swearing in of Steven Marshall as the South Australia’s 46th premier today. While the change of government, a of the Liberal party’s victory in Saturday’s election will undoubtedly lead to a departure from some of the Weatherill government’s pro-renewables policies, it also silences a vocal opponent to the NEG at the negotiating table.

SA Liberal leader, and potential premier, Steven Marshall has been ordered to print a retraction for his campaign claim that the Liberal Energy Solution will save South Australians more than $300 per household.

French firm Neoen has begun development on a hydrogen electrolyser to be colocated alongside a 150 MW wind project and 150 MW solar farm. The project has been awarded a grant of $1 million by the South Australian Renewable Technology fund, with more funding yet to be approved.

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is seeking industry input into the setting up of a new register for small-scale battery storage and solar systems. The goal of the registry is to provide the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and network operators more insight into consumer demand.

In yet another renewable energy related election commitment, South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill has pledged to offer loans to 10,000 households to install rooftop solar and battery storage, which will be made available interest-free for the first seven years.

German battery and solar energy company sonnen will move its Australian headquarters from Sydney to Adelaide where it will also establish a manufacturing hub.

South Australia’s Tailem Bend Solar Project has reached financial close, having signed a PPA for 100% of its output with Snowy Hydro. Construction on the project, located 100km south-east of Adelaide, will begin in February 2018.

With all eyes still on the world’s largest lithium-ion battery at the Hornsdale wind farm, South Australia now readies to raise the game with its first big battery built in conjunction with a solar farm.

While the Hornsdale Power Reserve “is doing its job” and is performing as expected, owner Neoen has urged market observers not jump to conclusions as to its profitability based on its arbitrage trading over the short term.