First cathode precursor plant opens in WA university in move to capture battery value chain
As Australia seeks to move beyond its global quarry status, the country’s first Cathode Precursor Production Pilot Plant launched on Monday in Western Australia’s Curtin University.
‘We won’t sell solar in the South West’: changes in WA force installers into impossible position
Solar installers operating in Western Australia’s South West claim recent changes made by the sole network operator, Western Power, are forcing them into a no-win situation of either operating ‘unethically’ or haemorrhaging customers. And for regional customers, the changes mean installing a renewable system will likely see their household unable run basic household appliances without constantly tripping the power.
Liontown gives $545 million lithium project go-ahead after locking in Ford offtake deal
Australian miner Liontown Resources has declared the way is now clear for construction to commence on its $545 million Kathleen Valley Lithium Project in Western Australia after inking an offtake agreement and $300 million financing facility with global car manufacturing giant Ford Motor Company.
WA announces ‘ambitious’ plan to cut emissions by 80% by 2030
Days after announcing it would abandon coal-fired power by the end of the decade, the Western Australian government has set an ‘ambitious’ interim emissions target in a bid to reach net zero by 2050.
Rio Tinto’s flashy new mine powered by 34 MW of solar
Resources giant Rio Tinto has officially opened what it is calling its most technologically advanced mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The Gudai-Darri iron ore mine features a 34 MW solar farm capable of meeting one-third of the facility’s energy needs.
Two Australian companies left vying for giant $4.5b green hydrogen project in NZ
Fortescue Future Industries and Woodside have been selected as the two finalists in the race to develop what could be one of the world’s largest green hydrogen projects, a 600 MW facility in New Zealand’s Southland.
Western Power reaches milestone in off-grid program
Western Australia’s regional utility Western Power has confirmed plans to install another 4,000 standalone power systems across the state in the next 10 years after reaching a milestone in the rollout of the renewable energy units.
WA company expects green hydrogen production ‘significantly earlier’ than anticipated following promising study
Western Australian developer Frontier Energy, a relatively new player in the renewable space, says preliminary findings from its green hydrogen study indicate it could be producing “significantly earlier than originally anticipated” from its Bristol Springs Solar Project, to be located south of Perth.
Oil supermajor takes majority stake in WA hydrogen megaproject
Oil and gas giant BP will take a 40.5% stake in the 26 GW Asian Renewable Energy Hub megaproject proposed for Western Australia’s north coast.
Western Australia to exit coal by 2029 in response to competition from solar
Western Australia is set to exit coal-fired power by the end of the decade as state-owned power provider Synergy will close its two remaining coal plants by 2029 in response. Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said coal was no longer viable due to the high-penetration of solar, particularly rooftop. McGowan also announced a $662 million boost for the coal-town of Collie’s industrial transition and $3.8 billion in statewide renewable investment, with a focus on energy storage.
