Energy

  • NSW govt opens access schemes for Renewable Energy Zones

    ENERGY NEWS

    Renewable groups welcome budget funds, but call for more ambition

    Two organisations working with regional communities hosting large-scale renewable energy projects have welcomed the Australian government's $22.7 billion investment in the nation's renewable future announced in... more

  • New guide shows how solar farms can boost biodiversity

    ENERGY NEWS

    New guide shows how solar farms can boost biodiversity

    A groundbreaking new guide developed in New England is set to transform how solar farms are integrated into the landscape, emphasising biodiversity enhancement and regenerative farming practices alongside renew... more

  • WA regulator issues warnings and fines for unapproved electrical appliances

    ENERGY NEWS

    WA regulator issues warnings and fines for unapproved electrical appliances

    WA’s energy safety regulator, Building and Energy, has issued a warning about the dangers of unapproved electrical appliances after issuing $10,000 in infringements to sellers of illegal and potentially hazar... more

  • Fair Futures warns of modern slavery risks in WA's clean energy strategy

    ENERGY NEWS

    Fair Futures warns of modern slavery risks in WA’s clean energy strategy

    Sustainability consultancy Fair Futures has released a comprehensive white paper highlighting significant modern slavery risks embedded within the renewable energy sector, in response to the Western Australian ... more

  • Renewable groups welcome budget funds, but call for more ambition
    17 May, 2024
  • Clean energy companies to cut energy costs for social housing tenants
    28 Mar, 2023
New guide shows how solar farms can boost biodiversity

New guide shows how solar farms can boost biodiversity

A groundbreaking new guide developed in New England is set to transform how solar farms are integrated into the landscape, emphasising biodiversity enhancement and regenerative farming practices alongside renewable energy generation. The Building Better Biodiversity on Solar Farms Guide provides innovative strategies and tools to restore nature and integrate regenerative farming techniques while producing solar energy. Co-authored by Heidi McElnea, Regional Coordinator at Community Power Agency, the guide highlights the potential for solar farm projects to improve biodiversity without compromising solar generation capacity. McElnea noted: “Planning a renewable energy development offers a chance to consider shared land use,” emphasising the…
WA regulator issues warnings and fines for unapproved electrical appliances

WA regulator issues warnings and fines for unapproved electrical appliances

WA’s energy safety regulator, Building and Energy, has issued a warning about the dangers of unapproved electrical appliances after issuing $10,000 in infringements to sellers of illegal and potentially hazardous power supplies and chargers used for e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards. Building and Energy electrical inspectors found that the appliances were not approved for use in Australia. Two retailers received infringements of $5,000 each. Selling or offering for sale unapproved electrical appliances is a breach of the Electricity Act 1945. One of the power supplies and chargers, with the brand name ‘SANS’ and labelled as a ‘Li-ion Battery Charger,’ was sold…
Fair Futures warns of modern slavery risks in WA's clean energy strategy

Fair Futures warns of modern slavery risks in WA’s clean energy strategy

Sustainability consultancy Fair Futures has released a comprehensive white paper highlighting significant modern slavery risks embedded within the renewable energy sector, in response to the Western Australian government's clean energy strategy. The white paper emphasises the need for a solid action plan to ensure responsible procurement of renewables. Fiona David, co-author of the paper and CEO of Fair Futures, warns of the "dirty secret" of unethical supply chains in the clean energy transition. She stresses the importance of addressing these risks to achieve clean energy goals responsibly. "While modern slavery is in no way unique to the renewable energy sector,…
Investment boosts local manufacturing for clean energy projects in WA

Investment boosts local manufacturing for clean energy projects in WA

Western Australia's energy manufacturing sector will receive a significant boost with a $26.4 million investment by the state government, aimed at driving local jobs. The investment will focus on locally-built clean energy components, including Standalone Power Systems (SPS) and wind turbine manufacturing. As part of the 2024-25 State Budget, $18.4 million will be allocated to roll out an additional 50 locally-manufactured SPS in regional WA. SPS are off-grid power solutions that combine solar panels, battery storage, and backup generation to provide low-cost, reliable power to end-of-network customers. This initiative builds on the success of the 56 SPS units already deployed…
NSW govt opens access schemes for Renewable Energy Zones

NSW government opens access schemes for Renewable Energy Zones

The New South Wales government has announced the opening of access schemes for solar, wind, and battery projects in two Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) in the state. These schemes will provide new opportunities for projects to connect to the energy grid, offering greater certainty to investors and energy projects while coordinating and accelerating the delivery of renewable energy in NSW. In a first for NSW, applications for access rights have opened for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone near Dubbo. The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) will allocate initial rights to expedite the delivery of new renewable energy to households…
### **Consultation open for $1b Solar Sunshot program design**

Consultation open for $1b Solar Sunshot program design

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has opened a consultation on the design of the $1 billion Solar Sunshot program, announced by the Australian government in March 2024. The program aims to accelerate the development of Australia’s solar manufacturing industry, catalyse clean energy industries, and connect Australia to new global solar supply chains. In partnership with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW), ARENA has released a consultation paper outlining a proposed structure for the program. This structure could see the program delivered through a series of funding rounds supporting various stages of the supply chain.…
India surpasses renewable energy installations record

India surpasses renewable energy installations record

India has achieved a record-breaking surge in renewable energy installations, reaching 7.1 gigawatts (GW) in March, more than doubling the previous record set in March 2022, according to Rystad Energy's latest data. This growth has propelled India to its highest-ever annual installed capacity of 18.5 GW for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2024. The increase in installations was primarily driven by solar energy, which saw a 23 per cent increase compared to the 2023 financial year. This growth was fuelled by the commissioning of numerous projects within India's inter-state transmission system network and ultra-mega solar park schemes. States…