Policy

The federal government’s 32 GW Capacity Investment Scheme is already bearing fruit with a competitive tender seeking 600 MW of energy storage capacity in Victoria and South Australia attracting 19,000 MW of project proposals.

New Zealand-based green hydrogen company Hiringa Energy has raised the bar for decarbonising the heavy transport sector by kickstarting an Australasian-wide refuelling network but the company has warned government policies are putting the brakes on its Australian plans.

French renewable energy and storage developer Neoen has initiated construction of the next stage of what will be one of Australia’s largest battery energy storage systems after securing a second four-hour capacity services contract for Western Australia’s main electricity grid.

Australian clean energy developers Atmos Renewables and Nomad Energy have received the green light for a 100 MW, four-hour battery energy storage system to be built near Merredin in Western Australia’s central Wheatbelt region.

Australia’s first large-scale solar garden will be officially launched in the New South Wales Riverina town of Grong Grong with hundreds of ‘gardeners’ on hand to celebrate the milestone that has allowed people previously locked out of rooftop PV to access the benefits of solar.

The federal government’s plan to deploy 400 community batteries across the nation to soak up excess solar generated on neighbourhood rooftops has reached the Australian Capital Territory with sites for three new battery energy storage systems unveiled.

The consultation process has commenced on the design of the $1 billion Solar Sunshot program that aims to boost the development of Australia’s solar manufacturing industry and increase the nation’s role in the global solar manufacturing supply chain.

Australia’s “largest-ever” tender for renewable energy will open next month with the federal government targeting 6 GW of new solar and wind projects as part of its expanded Capacity Investment Scheme that is seeking 32 GW of additional capacity to support the nation’s clean energy transition.

Renewable energy advocates and investors have urged the federal government to pursue its commitment to the ambitious Future Made in Australia Act by backing it – and the country’s decarbonisation – with strategic budget support.

As the Australian authorities launch rolling tenders for 32 GW of renewables and storage by 2030, it has become clear that some communities have not been brought onside. Heated debate on social media and a frenzy stoked by concerns about the impact on the natural environment are throwing up hurdles for renewables development.