ACCC and AER suggest industry reforms to cut electricity prices
A new ACCC report suggests a series of electricity network regulations is needed to cut electricity prices. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report claims electricity consumers are facing a market that is unfair, confusing, and in need of major reforms to be sustainable. The report suggests the following reforms: Consumers should be able to compare […]
Australia leads the world in residential energy storage: Chief Scientist Alan Finkel
Australia leads the charge in residential energy storage, according to a paper co-authored by the Federal Government’s Chief Scientist Alan Finkel. In 2017, Australia had nearly 21,000 storage batteries installed in homes across the country, the paper states. This figure is three times more than the total for 2016. Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said […]
Logan solar retailers invited to provide solar power to low-income Queensland families
The Queensland government is asking for expressions of interest from Logan solar energy retailers to deliver solar power systems to low-income families. The solar project targets families living in public housing in the City of Logan, south of Brisbane. Under the Logan solar scheme the electorates of Waterford, Coomera, Woodridge, Logan, Algester and Springwood are eligible […]
Brisbane home solar panel system owner defeats developer in court
A Brisbane home solar owner has won a solar stoush in Queensland’s Supreme Court over the placement of her solar panels. Pauline Tyler is celebrating the right to position her solar panels on the street-facing roof of her Brisbane property to gain maximum efficiency, according to Channel Nine News. As Energy Matters reported in March, […]
Victorian large-scale renewables could power every home in the state: Environment Victoria
Victoria has enough large-scale renewables in the pipeline to supply the state’s households for a year, new data shows. Analysis by Environment Victoria also shows the amount of potential power generated could even exceed the amount consumed by Victorian homes. According to the advocacy group, the state’s utility-scale wind and solar farms could soon power […]
Monash University signs agreement with wind farm towards its zero emissions goals
Monash University has signed a purchase agreement with a Victorian wind farm as part of its zero emissions goal. The Murra Warra Wind Farm near Horsham in western Victoria is currently under construction. The first stage of the project, which consists of 61 turbines, should be operational by next year. At full completion the project […]
Queensland electricity retailers drop prices — but less than expected
Queensland households can look forward to lower energy bills as power retailers adjust their prices at the start of the financial year, Channel Nine reports. This is good news for Queenslanders who are paying very high electricity prices. Drops of between 3 and 8 per cent have subsequently been announced by various retailers. Yet the […]
New coal-fired power plants too costly, says NSW MP
NSW Labor MP Clayton Barr says generating electricity from new coal-fired power plants would cost 30 to 40 per cent more than for new wind and solar power facilities. In an Advertiser editorial, the Member for Cessnock says building new coal stations will lead to even higher power prices for Australians. While Barr says the cheapest source […]
Tony Abbott calls for withdrawal from Paris Agreement
Coalition MP Tony Abbott is regretting signing up to the Paris Agreement in 2015 according to a report in The Guardian. The former PM now thinks that signing the treaty is leading to an “emissions obsession” that is fuelling the power crisis. His statements come on top of his push to put coal at the […]
Smart meter investment helps Australians control electricity use
A major new smart meter investment will give Australian energy consumers more control over their electricity use. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is committing $35 million of debt finance to expand intelliHUB. This new venture provides smart meter solutions for Australian energy retailers and consumers. IntelliHUB is a joint venture between Pacific Equity Partners […]