Here’s a wrap-up of all the key news across solar and other renewables last week. Grab your coffee, here’s the industry must-knows for the week (03/04/2023 edition):
• The Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2023 has been passed by Parliament, with the new arrangements taking effect from 1 July 2023. But what is the Safeguard Mechanism, who does it apply to and who is responsible? (www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au)
• Albanese government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund passes Senate. The $15 billion fund is aimed at broadening Australia’s domestic industrial base and reducing the nation’s dependence on imports. But what exactly is the fund and who does it benefit? (ABC News)
• Power costs are soaring, petrol costs remain stubbornly high, and the final warning’ from the world’s climate scientists that the window to address catastrophic climate change is closing, leads to a pre-budget message that couldn’t be more clear: We must ditch expensive, polluting fossil fuels – for both our climate and our hip pocket. (The Driven)
• Do you live in Queensland? Have your say in the annual Queensland Household Energy Survey and tell Energy Queensland about your electric life, your priorities and what’s on the horizon. (PV Magazine)
• Global oil giant Shell is set to build its first big battery project, 200MW/400MWh Rangebank Battery, to be built in the Rangebank business park on the south-eastern outskirts of Melbourne as the switch to renewables accelerates. (Renew Economy)
• FREE on-site technical mentoring and follow-up support to install or inspect solar PV and battery systems. Technical mentoring and support opportunities are available for qualified electricians, electrical engineers and licensed electrical inspectors in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. (Solar Victoria)
• You’ve heard of biofuels, but did you know that Qantas Group, Airbus and the Queensland government are backing the development of a biofuel production facility, that uses agricultural by-products like sugarcane, in Queensland? The proposed facility will utilise LanzaJet’s world-leading alcohol-to-jet technology to produce up to 100 million litres of SAF per year. Construction is expected to start in 2024. (Travel Weekly)
Old Queensland coal power station to be transformed into renewable energy plant | ABC News
Our shot of the week (from the Meralli archives) is a group shot of our regional employees at the Baroota – 8.9 MW solar farm in Baroota, Queensland.
