australia

Mining major Rio Tinto and Aboriginal energy partnership the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pursue the development of solar and wind projects in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

CleanCo Queensland is seeking expressions of interest to add 3GW of new solar and wind capacity to the company’s renewables portfolio.

Many large solar PV projects cross over First Nations land, and the representative body the First Nations Clean Energy Network (FNCEN) says that “proper and meaningful engagement with First Nations will be essential for the success of the renewable energy sector.”

If Australia does not want to lose its international competitiveness as a renewables producer, the government will have to invest AU$100 billion (US$64 billion) in the next ten years, according to the sector's trade body the Clean Energy Council.

Japanese corporation Sojitz and compatriot energy company Eneos has started operations at their 204MW Edenvale Solar park in Queensland.

Australian renewables developer Edify Energy has secured federal approval on a 600MW solar PV plant in Central Queensland, Australia.

New South Wales has submitted an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), making it the first REZ to reach the development “milestone”.

Grok Ventures has acquired all of the assets of SunCable, and reaffirmed its commitment the company’s original purpose.

Frontier Energy has signed a letter of intent to acquire Waroona Energy to create a new renewable power firm with a solar portfolio of 355MW.

The Australian National Electricity Market (NEM) faces reliability issues over the next 10 years as coal plants retire and investment in renewables generation and storage continues to lag, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).