ANU clean energy report: Australia installing renewables faster than any other country

ANU study promotes pumped storage hydropower to seal Australia's renewable future.

A report from the Australian National University (ANU) shows Australia is installing renewables faster per person, per year than any other country. Australia is therefore likely to meet its 2030 Paris Agreement emission reduction targets five years earlier, the ANU report states. Australia could then potentially reach 50 per cent renewable electricity by 2024 and […]

Sustainable mining: Granny Smith gold mine plans battery-backed solar power system

Rate of electricity disconnections soars in WA as solar is slow to grow.

The Granny Smith gold mine in Western Australia plans to install an 8 MW battery-backed solar power system. Once completed, the solar installation should generate almost all the energy required to power the Laverton mine’s processing operations. This is part of the company’s drive towards sustainable mining. The 20,000 solar panel installation will be one of […]

Renewables now supply record-breaking one-fifth of Australia’s energy use

Solar boom from rooftop solar panel systems could exceed Liddell generation by the end of 2022.

Renewable power has now reached the highest share of Australia’s energy use in 40 years. A Green Energy Markets report just released shows wind, solar and hydro accounting for more than 21 per cent of all electricity generated in Australia in the calendar year of 2018. Coal still makes up more than 71 per cent […]

Key energy stakeholders not consulted on government’s ‘big stick’ penalties

AEMC wants to roll out cheaper solar generators across remote areas.

Energy industry experts and advisers were either ignored or given inadequate time by government to provide advice on its big stick energy laws, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) says it was only given a few days to respond to the legislation. Meanwhile, the Energy Security Board claims it was […]

Fire fighting veteran slams government for climate change bushfires link

Former top fire fighter Greg Mullins says Federal Government inaction on emissions reduction is worsening the bushfire threat and putting people and homes at greater risk. He says that a climate change bushfires increase link is undeniable. Mullins was a fire-fighter for around 50 years. A former NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner, he received an […]

Clean Energy Council blasts Coalition plans to underwrite coal-fired power generation

National battery standard applauded by CEC.

The Morrison Government’s plans to underwrite coal-fired power generation will undermine Australia’s clean energy boom and increase harmful emissions. That’s the verdict of Australia’s Clean Energy Council (CEC). The professional body for the renewables industry has attacked the new federal program for appearing to favour “high cost and high emissions” power like coal over clean […]

Deakin University breaks ground on Geelong solar-powered microgrid project

Deakin University's Geelong installs industrial-scale solar system

Deakin University has broken ground on a $30 million solar-powered microgrid at its Waurn Ponds Campus in Geelong, Victoria. Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander last week joined officials from project partner AusNet Services to turn the ceremonial first sod on the project. As we reported in 2017, the 7.25 MW microgrid will include a solar farm, […]

Pro-coal MP Craig Kelly blames renewables for Victorian power outages

Victorian power outages were caused by renewables says MP Craig Kelly.

Coalition MP Craig Kelly is blaming wind and solar energy for Victorian power outages last month – despite the fact it was coal-fired plants which failed. Kelly told 2GB radio presenter Alan Jones that renewables are responsible for Australia’s rising power prices and grid problems, including power outages. He said it was therefore “dangerous stupidity” to […]

Households could save hundreds of dollars a year with a regulated electricity price

Coalition thinking of introducing a regulated electricity price as part of big stick energy measures.

The Federal Government’s regulated electricity price plan could cut annual power bills by up to $440. A joint report by the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) and the Brotherhood of St Laurence shows a default power price could cut electricity bills in New South Wales and Victoria by around a third. In addition, the […]

Federal program to build new electricity sources: 66 applications, but no wind or solar

energy underwriting program

The Federal Government has received 66 applications for its new energy underwriting program. However, none of the applications were for wind or solar power. Flagged in December last year, the Underwriting New Generation Investments program aims to encourage more competition in the energy market and bring electricity prices down. It will do this by underwriting […]