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 (17/04/2023 edition):
• The last operating units of the Liddell coal-fired power station will close this month. AGL announced the decision to close Liddell in 2015. Virtually no one in the energy industry argued against the move, but it triggered endless political debate. Liddell, in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, is Australia’s oldest coal station. It started operations in the early 1970s – about the same time the Datsun 180B was released, and before the Sydney Opera House officially opened! So what does life look like after the closure of Liddell and will NSW energy supply be shortchanged? (PV Magazine)
• A boom in wind and solar has pushed the amount of electricity produced by renewable energy to record levels last year, according to a new analysis. The use of coal, oil and gas to produce electricity is expected to fall in 2023, according to the report, published Wednesday by energy think tank Ember. This would mark the first year to see a decline in the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity, outside of a global recession or pandemic. (MSN Money)
• The Clean Energy Investor Group (CEIG) and Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) have released a new report: “Investor positions on public ownership of renewable energy.” The key message of the report is that the Australian governments collectively need to lift collaboration with private investors, and derisk the electricity sector sufficient to crowd-in private capital at the scale and speed required to deliver on our energy transition and climate objectives.
• Tesla big battery loses “biggest” title as Torrens Island finally ready to charge up. The original Tesla big battery at Hornsdale has already lost the titles of biggest battery in the world, and biggest battery in Australia, and is now poised to lose even the state title as the new Torrens Island battery starts to charge up. (Renew Economy)
• Australian Energy Week – 19-22 June 2023 – The major annual conference and expo for the entire energy supply chain, bringing together generators, networks, retailers, end users and government to help shape the energy transition. In 2023, Australian Energy Week includes Machines2023 and an expanded expo so you’ve got more choice, and more networking opportunities. It is the place to hear from industry leaders, make connections, and do business with representatives from the whole energy value chain, from CEOs to analysts, energy traders to engineers. And everyone in between. This is where the big discussions happen and the tough questions are answered.
• Solahart, Australia’s original name is solar, has now installed one million solar panels in Australia, an installation milestone that sees the company’s solar energy production capacity rank with Australia’s coal-fired power stations. (Solar Quotes)
‘I want to be upfront’: Penny Sharpe to prioritise energy supply | 2GB Radio
Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Penny Sharpe, is making sure the lights stay on and aims to get power bills down.
Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney on how to keep the lights on | 7.30
Mark Carney is one of a kind. The former governor of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, he’s now a major player in energy transition worldwide, including the billion-dollar buyout of Australian gas and electricity business Origin Energy, now awaiting regulatory approval. Sarah Ferguson interviews Mark Carney.
Are EVs Accelerating The Adoption Of Clean Tech with Andreas Wallendahl | The Fully Charged Podcast
Our shot of the week (from the Meralli archives) captures morning sunshine streaming over the Wathagar Solar Farm.
