Coalition win as ALP backs ‘big-stick’ laws on energy
Energy companies are being warned they must “play by the rules” after Labor capitulated on the Morrison government’s “big stick” laws, in a major win for the Coalition.
Don’t rush transmission overhaul for power grid, energy companies warn
The Australian Energy Market Commission's radical reforms to shake up transmission systems for the electricity grid should not be rushed, big energy companies and renewable operators have warned, saying these could clash with other changes.
NSW energy minister says renewables and storage will replace old coal generators
The NSW energy minister Matt Kean has urged Australia’s investment community to support new energy projects and drive the energy transition in the state, and predicts that renewables, coupled with storage or fast-start gas generators, will replace the state’s ageing coal plants.
Wind energy could supply one third of global power by 2040, says Siemens
Wind energy could supply more than one third of global electric power demand by 2040 and could, in turn, save up to four million lives a year, according to a new study from professional services network KPMG and commissioned by wind turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.
Need for speed: How to power a new generation-Kerry Schott
The world is watching as Australia powers ahead with rooftop solar, but the pressure is on to get energy security and reliability
Australia is failing on energy, and it’s burning huge holes in consumer wallets
Australia continues to deliver good news on the growing share of renewables in the main electricity grid, and the resulting fall in electricity sector emissions.
Taskforce assesses risks of AGL’s Liddell plans
Major east coast power users and the nation’s top regulators have been called to high-level meetings over the future of AGL Energy’s Liddell coal station as a joint federal and NSW government probe assesses risks to the electricity grid from its planned exit.
Rooftop solar provides more than half SA power use on mild spring Sunday
The rise of solar has claimed another record in SA, pushing grid demand even lower and providing more than half of power needs. Meanwhile, retailers are on notice to help struggling customers.
Aramco fully restores oil output as it recovers from attacks
Dubai | Saudi Aramco is producing more than 9.9 million barrels a day of crude as it fully recovers from the worst ever attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Do negative spot electricity prices spell end of renewable transition?
Based on recent headlines, you could be forgiven for thinking that we are on the brink of a wholesale electricity price disaster.
Call to fast-track ‘demand response’ to stabilise energy supply
Big energy users have called for new “demand response” rules to be fast-tracked and extended by allowing electricity to be sold into the wholesale market from both businesses and households as the threat of summer blackouts looms on the east coast.
New modelling exposed grid problems that forced solar farms to cut output
New modelling and grid simulations conducted by the Australian Energy Market Operator are apparently at the heart of the decision last week to dramatically curtail the output of five big solar farms in Victoria and New South Wales by 50 per cent.
Industry warns against revived energy laws
Australians will end up paying more for their power bills under the coalition's revived legislation targeting energy giants, the sector fears.
One generator operational at Loy Yang coal fired energy plant
Only one generator out of four is currently operational at Victoria’s largest coal fired energy plant as temperatures warm across the state with the arrival of Spring.
Energy firms have months to prepare for ‘big stick’ laws
Electricity giants will be given six months’ grace to prepare for the Morrison government’s “big stick” energy policy that threatens to split up the assets¬ of major power companies.
Australia to hit 2020 large-scale renewables target ‘ahead of schedule’
Unprecedented investment in large wind and solar power projects has put Australia on track to meet the federal government's 2020 large-scale renewable energy target.
Australia’s old powerlines are holding back the renewable energy boom
Australian wind and solar farms are putting downward pressure on energy prices, and there are hundreds of new renewable facilities set to come online. But that green energy is stretching the country's outdated network of transmission lines.
Drought deepens as ‘very dry winter’ combines with record heat
Drought-hit regions of southern and eastern Australia got little if any relief during winter, with barely half the normal rainfall and the country still posting its warmest start to any year for daytime temperatures.
Basslink outage adds to strain on Victorian supply
A failure of the Basslink power cable that links Tasmania to the mainland power grid is likely to last until mid-October, increasing pressure on security of electricity supply in Victoria in the run-up to summer just as two major generating units are also out of action.
Solar-induced negative power prices offset by spikes
The increasing regularity with which wholesale power prices are sinking below $0 during sunny and windy days is being more than cancelled out by more frequent high prices, defying expectations of a softening in levels overall.
Finally, Australia is about to have a plan to de-carbonise the grid
It was an odd thing for the two national newspapers to focus on. Both The Australian and The Australian Financial Review decided that the most important thing to come out of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s scenario planning for the future grid released on Friday was the assumed absence of a carbon price.
UK privately appeals to senior Australian ministers for climate action
The British government has privately appealed to senior Coalition ministers – including Angus Taylor and Marise Payne – to develop a more “ambitious” climate policy, amid growing concern Australia is not doing enough to cut emissions.
Senex ramps up gas spend as it turns to profit
Emerging east coast gas producer Senex Energy has flagged a significant increase in investment this coming year to lift supplies for the tight east coast market, laying the foundations for what it expects to be a major jump in output over the next two years.
AGL, EnergyAustralia vie for $40m pumped hydro funding
AGL Energy and EnergyAustralia have muscled in on an opportunity to secure federal government funding to support pumped hydro storage projects in South Australia.
The new nuclear option: small, safe and cheap
The next generation of nuclear reactors – the ones that could finally overcome Australia's resistance to power by fission – are so small they will abide by road regulations.
EnergyAustralia’s Yallourn plant at the mercy of green targets
Victoria’s looming emissions reduction goals and ambitious renewables targets may limit the lifespan of a major coal generator in the state amid a renewed focus on the stuttering transition to green energy in the nation’s power grid.
SA approves plans for wind, solar, battery and hydrogen superhub
Ambitious plans to combine wind, solar, battery storage and potentially green hydrogen production at a hybrid “24/7” energy generation facility in South Australia have won development approval from the state government.
Energy retailers push back on mechanism hailed as a win for consumers
Energy retailers are pushing back against a proposal to allow large commercial users to enter the wholesale electricity market for the first time, prompting warnings that the sector wants to stifle competition.
AGL’s Liddell coal-fired power station to close a year later than planned
Energy giant AGL has confirmed it will keep producing energy at its New South Wales Liddell coal fired power station until 2023 in order to help secure the grid.
Domestic gas supplies to be reserved in bid to lower power bills
Australia's gas supplies are poised to be reserved for local use as the Morrison government moves to further drive down household power bills and protect domestic manufacturing jobs.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seizes UK tanker as tensions soar
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz amid soaring tensions in one of the world's critical energy chokepoints. Brent climbed more than 1.3 per cent on the news.
Greens told: rely on facts to assess wind farm project
Bob Brown’s criticisms of the southern hemisphere’s largest proposed wind farm have been backed by Tasmania’s Greens leader but dismissed by the proponent, who claims much opposition is misinformed or “political”.
How ‘negawatts’ could help businesses cut their power bills
Manufacturers including BlueScope Steel and CSR stand to benefit from proposed rule changes in the electricity market that will allow them to better control their power use and bid directly into the wholesale market, saying it will help drive down prices.
Make nuclear power free, Barnaby Joyce says
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce says free nuclear power could be offered to residents living close to a reactor to help build support for the controversial technology, as an analysis pinpoints which Australian towns are best placed to host a nuclear plant.
Spot power prices hit zero on spike in solar, wind generation
After years of skyrocketing prices, a highly unusual pricing event grabbed the market’s attention on Sunday. The spot price of wholesale electricity traded at zero in every eastern Australian state at the same time.
Carbon pricing vital for financial stability: Westpac
Banking giant Westpac says the federal government must play a role in developing a price on carbon if the financial risks of climate change are to be understood and mitigated.
SA-NSW interconnector reaches major milestone
The South Australian Government has granted the proposed $1.5 billion SA-NSW interconnector Major Project Status.
Gas reset ‘could cut bills by $270’
Government intervention in the east coast’s gas sector through a reservation policy could slash $270 from annual household power bills, under modelling sent to the Coalition by the Centre Alliance as part of a major energy reform package.
NSW facing power uncertainty
NSW faces “huge challenges” dealing with the exit of AGL Energy’s Liddell coal station in 2022 and remains open to new coal plants and more gas facilities in the next decade to balance the transition to renewable energy.
Mortlake Power Station could be at half capacity for months
An explosion has shut down half of Victoria's largest gas-fired power station and it could be months before it is back to full capacity.
Santos demands ‘clear timeline’ on Narrabri gas project
Australian energy giant Santos has ramped up pressure on the New South Wales government to provide a clear timetable for the approval of its $3 billion Narrabri gas project, which could supply up to half of the state's gas needs.
Super industry gets behind nuclear power
Australia’s union-backed superannuation industry has made the case for nuclear energy and ¬demolished repeated claims wind and solar are the cheapest long-term option for reliable power.
Small businesses urged to pay attention with energy savings on their way
Small business customers will face potentially lower prices and clearer energy bills from July 1 though there's a chance many operators aren't aware of them coming or may not notice the difference, say business groups.
Victorian coal-fired plant Yallourn could close early amid growing fears over Andrews Government’s green policy
One of Victoria’s biggest coal-fired power stations could close within six years as Victoria’s radical, go-it-alone bid to slash carbon emissions and ramp up renewables hastens its demise.
AGL to tweak Bayswater output
Power giant AGL Energy will consider tweaking output from its NSW Bayswater coal plant during the day as cheaper solar and wind challenges the long-term role of fossil fuels in the grid.
Alinta in step with ACCC on gouging-Perry Williams
Australia’s fourth-largest electricity retailer, Alinta Energy, has revived a call by the competition regulator for NSW, Queensland and Tasmanian network companies to write down the value of their poles and wires businesses while also warning of an industry-wide squeeze on retail margins.
Vocus will make AGL a ‘better energy company’
AGL chief executive Brett Redman says he is not trying to turn the power generator and retailer into an infrastructure company, but rather a "better energy company", through the acquisition of Vocus Group's fibre optic network.
It’s not helpful’: Energy Minister Angus Taylor slams Jackie Trad’s gas ‘cash grab’
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor has taken a swing at the Queensland Labor Government over its decision to hike gas royalties, describing the decision as “cash grab” that would hurt business and consumers.
Coal unit failure a threat to Victorian energy security this summer
Victorians face the risk of another summer without enough power to pull through the hottest days, as a fault at the state’s biggest coal-fired power plant is expected to drag on into December.
Energy bosses blast Taylor for having ‘head in the sand’
Energy bosses have given a withering assessment of Angus Taylor's first speech since being re-appointed as federal energy minister, accusing him of having his ''head in the sand'' and taking a dismissive attitude toward bipartisanship on energy policy.