The $1 billion program is designed to grow solar PV manufacturing in Australia and support global supply chains. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), in consultation with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), will design the program which aims to accelerate the development of Australia’s solar manufacturing industry, catalyse clean energy industries and help Australia connect to new global solar supply chains. ARENA has published a consultation paper outlining a proposed structure for the program that could see the program delivered through a ..read more

The 350kw array features 644 individual solar panels and floats on one of the treatment lagoons at the Drouin wastewater treatment plant.  Gippsland Water said it is the largest floating solar array in Australia. Gippsland Water Acting Managing Director, Simon Aquilina, said the solar panels were part of the organisation’s commitment to renewable energy targets.   “These solar panels will help us reach our renewable energy target of 100 per cent by 2025 and contribute to achieving our target of net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2030. They also positively impact the wastewater tr ..read more

The Reliability Panel has completed a review of the current reliability standard for the national electricity system and has released a draft determination for stakeholder feedback.  The review found that the standard is well equipped to ensure the grid will remain stable through the energy transition.   The Reliability Panel forms part of the Australian Energy Market Commission but independently monitors, reviews, and reports on the safety, security, and reliability of the national electricity system. Its panel of expert advisers represents consumers, the energy industry, and ..read more

The Western Australian Government is set to deliver improved energy efficiency and cost of living relief to households in the West Kimberley region, with the announcement of the Energy Ahead program.  Previously known as the Household Energy Efficiency Scheme, Energy Ahead supports Western Australians currently experiencing or at risk of financial hardship and aims to reduce the pressure on their cost of living, while improving their energy efficiency knowledge and awareness. The $13 million initiative has benefitted 1,000 Western Australians, with Energy Policy WA (EPWA) delivering the ..read more

A new community engagement and discovery hub has officially opened at Wagga Wagga. The Transgrid Discovery Hub is designed to provide an engaging and inviting space for community members, landowners, and businesses to understand more about the transition to renewable energy and Transgrid’s major projects including EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West, which are centred in the Riverina. Transgrid Chief Executive Officer, Brett Redman, said, “Wagga Wagga is at the heart of our renewable energy transformation and we want to make a positive difference and provide tangible and enduring benefits to ..read more

A new 400kW hydroelectricity plant at St Albans Reservoir designed to help provide clean, low-cost energy and reduce cost of living pressures for Victorians. The St Albans plant is Melbourne Water’s 16th hydroelectric infrastructure asset, following construction of the 315kW Upper Yarra, Yarra Valley Conduit hydroelectricity plant.  A 990kW hydropower plant at O’Shannassy Reservoir is expected to begin construction in 2024 with completion due in 2025.  Melbourne Water Technical Specialist, Ian Royston, said, “Our hydroelectric power stations harness a natural, sustainable and reliab ..read more

Construction is set to begin on one of Queensland’s largest Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Quinbrook’s Supernode project at Brendale.  Stage one of the project is the construction of a 250MW/2hr capacity BESS and that will enable the efficient storage of surplus solar and wind energy, aid the displacement of coal and other emissions-intensive generation sources. Origin Energy has committed to the full capacity of stage one, under a recently completed agreement. The Supernode project is strategically located near the South Pine electricity substation. This will be a significant ad ..read more

ZEN Energy has proposed the development of a pumped hydro powerhouse that would make use of degraded coal industry land near Lake Burragorang, creating a project with the potential to deliver enough on-demand electricity to power 500,000 homes and businesses.  At 1GW, the Western Sydney Pumped Hydro project will be able to store and supply up to eight continuous hours of ‘firming’ energy, essential to stabilise the state’s electricity grid and power prices as it transitions to renewable energy generation. Located 24km away from Warragamba Dam and drinking water treatment, the project wil ..read more

Endeavour Energy has officially switched on the first community battery in New South Wales’s South Coast, marking a big step for the region’s push efforts towards net zero and providing savings on energy bills for locals.  The community battery, one of 54 currently being rolled out across the Endeavour Energy network, will ensure residents can rely on a more sustainable, resilient and cost-effective power supply. Endeavour Energy General Manager, Future Grid & Asset Management, Colin Crisafulli, said that the pioneering community battery marks a new era of energy savings for customer ..read more

A power outage caused by heavy rainfall and flash-flooding on 5 April has left approximately 1,300 residents in the Sydney CBD without power.  A substation on Goulburn and Pitt Streets in the CBD flooded, causing extensive power outages in the area. Ausgrid said that the outage started at approximately 3.50am on 5 April and impacted about 1,300 people. By early afternoon the same day, power was restored to the majority of customers in the CBD. Ausgrid said that its crews spent hours on site at the flooded substation, working to pump the water out. New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, sa ..read more