Taylor’s plans for ARENA under scrutiny in senate
Legal doubts have emerged about the Morrison government’s proposed change for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency which would allow it to finance a broader range of technologies including some using fossil fuels.
ARENA launches $43 million program for industrial abatement studies as concern around mandate change grows
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) today announced the launch of its $43 million program aimed at identifying how to reduce emissions in industry. The program’s launch comes amid concern about proposed changes to ARENA’s funding mandate as the Commonwealth Government seeks to expand definitions to include funding for controversial technologies and fossil fuel projects.
Thrashing out public and industry submissions to the AEMC rule change
Have you heard about the proposed “solar tax”? Haha! But seriously, there’s more to it than meets the eye. A multitude of perspectives and considerations are brought to light in the submissions made to the AEMC. We take a shallow dive … and recommend total immersion.
Batteries boom as investment in large-scale renewables slumps to a 5-year low
New data released by the CEC and confirmed by industry experience, shows investors have become shy of committing to large-scale renewable projects in Australia, where government intervention has created uncertainty, and grid risk is virtually impossible to quantify — even with a prized connection agreement in hand.
Critical energy transition infrastructure gets the regulatory green light!
TransGrid and ElectraNet have shovels at the ready to begin work on the long-planned and hard-won Project EnergyConnect, which will link three Australian states with much needed capacity for transmission of renewable energy.
Large-scale solar PV slows as big battery investment takes off
Renewable energy developers in Australia have turned their attention to energy storage with the level of investment in utility-scale batteries skyrocketing by more than 300% in the past three months but that has been offset by a worrying decline in the number of large-scale solar PV and wind projects reaching financial close.
Australia can be ‘renewable energy superpower’ says Albanese
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has outlined his plan for Australia to “emerge as a renewable energy superpower,” underwritten by a $100 million initiative to fund apprenticeships in new energy jobs including solar, large-scale renewable projects, green hydrogen and renewable manufacturing.
Smart Energy declares government missed chance to recharge home battery schemes
Solar retailer Smart Energy believes Australia’s small-scale solar PV industry has been let down by the Federal Government which has been widely criticised for the lack of funding included in the Federal Budget for the renewable energy sector.
Renewable energy on back burner with gas confirmed as Budget focus
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has unveiled a big-spending Budget but critics have been quick to condemn the lack of money set aside for renewable energy as a “national shame” and missed opportunity as the government continues to pursue its gas-led philosophy.
Australian solar industry remarkably silent as global pressure mounts around allegations of forced labour in supply chain
The solar industry in Europe and the United States is continuing to ramp up the pressure on the use of polysilicon produced in Xinjiang, China – in response to allegations that forced labour is being used in its production. By contrast, the Australian industry’s response has been markedly muted. Although it is true that most global solar industries are heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing, Australia is overwhelmingly so.
