Explained: Why business won’t enlist in Morrison’s energy war on Labor
What if the government invited everybody to a climate and energy war and nobody came?
Voters prefer Labor to deal with climate change
Labor will enter the federal election campaign with better credentials than the Coalition when it comes to tackling climate change, the latest The Australian Financial Review-Ipsos poll shows.
Snowy Hydro costs, timeline blow out
The budget for the Morrison government's pet energy project – Snowy Hydro's 2000-megawatt Snowy 2.0 expansion – has increased to more than $5 billion, more than double the $2 billion price touted when former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the ambitious mega project two years ago.
Confusion, uncertainty grips market as marginal loss factors changed again
Developers of renewable energy projects in Australia complain of confusion and uncertainty after yet another change by the Australian Energy Market Operator in its calculations of so-called marginal loss factors, which can make or break an energy project.
Heatwave a $34m energy drain for users
Energy users in Victoria and South Australia paid $34 million to buy back power from major manufacturers to keep the lights on during January’s record-breaking heatwave in the two states.
Coalition grants permit for Australia’s first offshore wind farm
Plans for what would be Australia’s first offshore wind farm, the massive 2000MW Star of the South off the coast of Victoria, have taken a small step forward this week, after the project finally got the green light from federal government for a site exploration.
LNG prices set to fall by a third, in blow to energy giants
LNG prices are forecast to drop by a third in the coming months following a steep decline in the oil price, hitting the earnings of some of Australia's biggest energy companies.
Labor reignites the carbon wars
The centrepiece of Labor's plan to reduce carbon emissions – a baseline and credit scheme for the nation's top 250 emitters – appears doomed with the Coalition opposed to the entire policy and the Greens hostile towards several elements, including letting companies offset emissions by buying international carbon permits.
Millions locked in to tap Territory shale fields
The Morrison government has moved to open Northern Territory shale fields for exploration and development as part of a $75 million package to support ¬reliable energy infrastructure.
Federal budget 2019: Budget reboots for climate and energy election
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's maiden budget funds the government's $3.5 billion climate and energy program that it will take to the election to battle with Labor's ambitious renewable energy and carbon emissions targets.
Who should hold “hot potato” of connection costs for wind and solar farms?
Amid the extraordinary boom in large-scale wind and solar projects in Australia – some $25 billion completed and under construction according to the federal Coalition government that tried to stop it – it may be tempting to think that this is nothing but a good news story.
Shell aims for ‘substantial’ electricity business in Australia
Oil major Shell has set out ambitions to build a major electricity generating and retailing business in Australia within the next decade as part of its global shift towards lower-carbon energy, in comments that look set to revive speculation that a significant acquisition may be on the cards.
Consumer watchdog tips relief on gas prices
Gas prices on Australia’s east coast are set to fall this winter, potentially providing some relief to long-suffering manufacturers and heavy industry, according to data from the competition watchdog.
Energy minister calls on AGL to commit to Liddell replacement plan
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor has called on AGL to commit to its energy replacement plan ahead of the planned closure of the Liddell power plant.
Path clear to a zero carbon economy
Ten years ago Lord Adair Turner made what he considers the most embarrassing prediction in a 40 year career which included decent lengths of time in consulting, banking, prudential regulation and academia.
Looming LNG oversupply offers slim hope for local gas buyers
After defying gloomy predictions of a supply glut and price slump in both 2017 and 2018, this year may finally see LNG markets tank, and while that's a concern for exporters, it offers some – if not much – hope of easing prices for manufacturers in the eastern states.
Victoria should set an example on climate change
The Victorian government has grand plans to "lead the charge against climate change" in Australia, and the case for decisive action could not be stronger.
Mining sector pushes for nuclear option to lowering Australia’s energy costs and emissions
The mining sector has called for nuclear options with hopes a high-level review could end a ban on the prohibited energy source.
Labor predicts next resource boom with $1 billion hydrogen pledge
Australia would become a major global player in clean hydrogen production and create up to 16,000 new jobs in a Labor plan aimed firmly at voters in crucial Queensland seats ahead of the election.
AEMO warns of ‘load shedding’ as grid pushed to breaking point
The Australian Energy Market Operator warned of possible "load shedding" – mandatory power cuts – of up to 40 megawatts in each of Victoria and South Australia late on Thursday.
Origin Energy able to supply electricity three times faster
Origin Energy has lifted the speed with which it can supply electricity to the national power grid after upgrading South Australia’s Quarantine gas peaking plant to capitalise on new trading rules amid a surge in renewable energy output.
Records ‘blown away’ as rising power bill fears trigger solar PV surge
New solar energy installations tripled in capacity in 2018 in Australia, with solid growth in rooftop solar eclipsed by a massive increase in utility-sized ventures.
Renewables momentum continues, despite political chaos
The industry experienced another record-breaking year in 2018, with $20 billion invested in large-scale renewable projects and close to 1.5 GW of rooftop solar installed, taking Australia past the magic milestone of 2 million homes with rooftop solar. While the renewable energy industry still has its detractors, most notably on the right wing of the Federal Coaltion, nothing silenced the critics quite like the installation of hundreds of thousands of solar panels on Australian rooftops – or the billions of dollars of investment and tens of thousands of jobs brought to rural Australia by dozens of new wind and solar farms.
Paris Agreement to shrink economy, says US’s Brookings Institution
Australia’s economy will be among the worst affected by the Paris climate change agreement, enduring slower growth, fewer jobs and a “notable” 6 per cent slump in the exchange rate, according to a new analysis of the global accord.
Industry splurge leaves out gentailers
A split has emerged over energy investment, with integrated retailers stalling new generation, even as developers set the seal on a record year of new commitments.
Leading CEOs on the realities of energy policy paralysis
After another year of chaos and anarchy in the energy sector it was inevitable that a question about energy in Chanticleer's annual CEO Survey would provide plenty of insights into the risks and opportunities from continuing policy paralysis.
NSW, South Australia move to fast-track power connection
Moves by NSW and South Australia to build a direct $1.3 billion link to export their excess electricity to one another is a step closer after the state energy ministers signed a formal agreement yesterday to establish a framework for the project.
ACCC to probe gas retailers’ ‘excessive margins’
The competition watchdog will turn up its scrutiny of AGL Energy, Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia over concerns the trio are reaping excessive margins from their gas retailing businesses.
Paris target achieved eight years early
Emissions reductions in Australia’s electricity market are on track to meet the Paris target eight years ahead of schedule, in 2022, and the government has seized on new data to attack Labor’s plan for stronger intervention to curb carbon pollution.
Sanjeev Gupta, Simec Zen Energy, ready to raise cash for renewables
Simec Zen Energy, controlled by billionaire Sanjeev Gupta, is considering an Australian sharemarket listing as it seeks capital to become a major renewables energy operator with a $US1 billion ($1.4bn) pipeline of projects.
Fears RCR collapse could ‘drive up power bills’
A delay in the rollout of solar farms following the collapse of contractor RCR Tomlinson may prompt a rise in power bills as a “drought” of large-scale renewable certificates extends into next year, piling pressure on prices.
East coast gas prices remain stubbornly high despite oil price collapse
East coast manufacturers are voicing frustration as domestic gas prices fail to follow international LNG prices lower, leaving them paying up to 25 per cent more for spot gas than equivalent export "netbacks" despite the dive in crude oil prices.
Labor’s smashing win in Victoria a huge tonic for Australia’s clean energy transition
The relief from Victoria’s stunning election result this weekend was palpable. Not just to those in the renewable energy and energy storage industries, but to anyone interested and concerned about the clean energy transition, tackling climate change, and with an eye to Australia’s economic and environmental future.
Julie Bishop calls for deal on dumped National Energy Guarantee with Labor
Julie Bishop has urged the government to come to an agreement with Labor over the dumped National Energy Guarantee which was championed by Malcolm Turnbull.
Battery giant Sonnen opens plant at former Holden site
German energy giant Sonnen has opened a home battery manufacturing facility at the former Holden factory in South Australia, days after Bill Shorten announced plans for a household battery scheme.