Government steps in to finance major lithium project after Rinehart collapses $6.6 deal
Government agency Export Finance Australia will provide $220 million (USD 140 million) to help finance Liontown’s Kathleen Valley Lithium project after involvement from Australia’s richest person, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, caused its giant Albemarle deal to collapse.
Traditional owners sign renewable energy deal with Rio Tinto
Traditional lands owners in Western Australia’s Pilbara region have signed an agreement with mining giant Rio Tinto to collaborate on large-scale renewable energy projects as the resources heavyweight powers up efforts to decarbonise its supply chain.
Massive lithium takeover deal collapses following Rinehart intervention
US giant Albemarle Corp. has withdrawn its $6.6 billion takeover bid for Australian lithium developer Liontown Resources after Gina Rinehart, via her company Hancock Prospecting, reportedly spent $1.3 billion raising its stake in Liontown to a commanding 19.9%.
Engie partners with Posco for Pilbara green hydrogen study
South Korean steelmaker Posco and French renewables giant Engie are investigating the feasibility of establishing a large-scale renewable hydrogen project in Western Australia that would provide fuel for a green iron venture planned for the state’s Pilbara region.
WA government moves to attract hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing
The Western Australian government has studied the business case for developing new electrolyser manufacturing facilities in the state, finding a 2 GW manufacturing facility could inject $200 million (USD 128 million) per annum to the local economy.
WA seeks stakeholder input to guide major grid expansion
The Western Australian government is calling for input from industry to help drive major transmission network expansion in the South West Interconnected System as the state powers towards a large-scale, high-renewable grid of the future.
Renewable Metals to scale up battery recycling ambitions
Australian battery recycling startup Renewable Metals intends to scale and commercialise its lithium-ion battery recycling technology that converts battery waste into high-value battery metals after closing an $8 million (USD 5.08 million) investment round.
‘Pretty crazy’: Queensland’s solar + storage payback periods plunge
Solar payback periods worsened in Australia between 2020 and 2022, but have now turned a corner, data from analyst Sunwiz illustrates. Queensland has seen the most remarkable journey, with payback periods for residential solar and storage falling from 10 to 6.6 years within 12 months.
ClearVue’s next-gen ‘solar window’ tested in Singapore
Western Australian solar window company ClearVue Technologies has completed third-party testing with the Singapore Building and Construction Authority, saying the results illustrate strong thermal and energy outcomes.
WA ushers in major reforms to support transition on its main island grid
A package of major regulatory and market reforms designed to support Western Australia’s energy transformation have gone live. The changes relate to the state’s main islanded grid, known as the SWIS.
