Not on the South Australian side…

Taxpayers wear $300 million risk of NSW green transition delay The state government has struck a series of confidential deals with developers to boost the flagging rollout of clean power and help meet climate targets.

Taxpayers could fund up to $300 million in damages payments to three NSW wind farms if a major new electricity cable project is not completed on time.
www.afr.com/policy/energ...

‘President’ Bowen cancels UN trip as oil fire reignites fuel crisis The pressures of the global energy shock have forced Chris Bowen to withdraw from his first major engagement as the UN’s top climate negotiator.

The pressures of the global energy shock have forced Chris Bowen to withdraw from his first major engagement as the UN’s top climate negotiator.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Mining companies gorge on carbon credits under Labor climate scheme Mining giants Rio Tinto and Woodside each used more than 1 million carbon credits last year to meet obligations under Labor’s flagship emissions policy.

Mining giants Rio Tinto and Woodside each used more than 1 million carbon credits last year to meet obligations under Labor’s flagship emissions policy.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

The complacent country: How to avoid the next fuel crisis A ‘she’ll be right’ attitude has left Australia’s fuel supply deeply exposed to global shocks. Reversing the problem will require tough decisions.

A ‘she’ll be right’ attitude has left Australia’s fuel supply deeply exposed to global shocks. Reversing the problem will require tough decisions.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Pause emissions plans to focus on fuel crisis: miners Mining industry groups have urged the government to delay a review of its flagship emissions reduction scheme amid turmoil in global energy markets.

Mining companies are urging the Albanese government to temporarily pause plans to review its flagship industrial emissions reduction policy and to prioritise energy and fuel security over climate targets, as the industry manages disruptions from the Iran war.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Labor considering coal and gas price caps to prevent bill spikes As the crisis in Iran threatens to hit household power bills, the federal government is considering temporary caps on the price of coal and gas.

The Albanese government is considering placing temporary caps on the price of coal and gas to protect consumers from forecast power price spikes caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

www.afr.com/politics/fed...

Zero for 15: Labor’s flagship renewable scheme hits a standstill None of the wind farms supported by the federal government’s key policy to boost the rollout of renewable energy have made a start on building.

Of the 39 power generation projects that have successfully bid into the Capacity Investment Scheme since December 2023 – which include solar, wind and solar-battery hybrids – only two have begun construction. Zero out of 15 windfarms.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Albanese urges US to end war as petrol fears grow The effective withdrawal of support for the conflict came as the government warned domestic fuel supplies could not be guaranteed from the middle of next month.

Albo effectively withdrew support last week www.afr.com/politics/fed...

‘Too east-coast focused’: WA could overhaul AEMO’s role Western Australia has quietly launched a review of the state’s power grid operator, which could result in some of its independent functions being reined in.

Western Australia has quietly launched a review of the state’s power grid operator, which could result in some of its independent functions being reined in.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Fuel price fears set to light a rocket under EV sales Fears of a sustained rise in the price of petrol has already led to a surge in new electric vehicle inquiries, according to car dealers.

Fears of a sustained rise in the price of petrol has already led to a surge in new electric vehicle inquiries, according to car dealers.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Dennis Richardson has resigned from the Bondi Royal Commission

Labor explores more changes to home battery rebate in cost-cutting push If implemented, it would be the second tweak in six months as the government casts a wide net in its search for ways to cut spending before the May budget.

The Albanese government is modelling changes to its generous home battery subsidy scheme that could have the $7 billion policy scaled back for the second time in six months as Labor casts a wide net in its search for ways to cut spending before the May budget.
www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Data centre power emissions double over five years Some of Australia’s top server space providers say big rises in their reported carbon output do not fully reflect their green energy aspirations.

Some of Australia’s biggest data centre operators have more than doubled their reported carbon emissions over the past five years, as the exponential growth of the sector leads to a major rise in demand on the power grid.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Renewables giant slashes jobs as transition pressures mount One of Australia’s top renewables developers has cut staff from its key construction division, putting further pressure on Labor’s climate targets.

One of Australia’s top renewables developers has slashed around 30 staff from its key construction division as planning bottlenecks and rising costs continue to stifle investment growth in a sector critical to the Albanese government’s energy plans.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Anti-renewables group rebrands after racking up $600k legal bill A legal stoush with a wind company backed by Andrew Forrest has bankrupted a controversial conservation group. But its campaign against renewables lives on.

Only half the story
www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Anti-renewables group rebrands after racking up $600k legal bill A legal stoush with a wind company backed by Andrew Forrest has bankrupted a controversial conservation group. But it’s campaign against renewables lives on.

In August 2024, one of Australia’s most controversial environmental groups launched a bold legal challenge to an Andrew Forrest-backed wind project in northern Queensland. Just more than 18 months and $600,000 later, the organisation – technically – no longer exists.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Businesses demand rethink of Victorian offshore wind plan A top industry group says a failure to build renewables at pace and on budget in Victoria would impose a “terrible cost” to consumers and businesses.

Industrial energy users are pushing the Victorian government to rethink its plan to replace the state’s ageing coal generators with large offshore wind farms, which they say could impose major costs to households and businesses compared to alternative options.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

The vacant lot at the heart of Labor’s battery manufacturing dream An empty field at an old coal-fired power station is all that remains of plans to build a high-tech battery manufacturing hub in Queensland.

An empty field at an old coal-fired power station is all that remains of plans to build a high-tech battery manufacturing hub in Queensland.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

‘Not now or never’: Crisafulli spruiks Queensland climate slowdown The Queensland premier says rapid cuts to the state’s carbon emissions would be “economic and environmental stupidity”.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says his government’s plan to sweat coal plants and roll back other emissions reduction initiatives reflects the majority views of ordinary Australians and should be a model for other centre-right parties around the country.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Same goes for energy. ‘We can do it all better, cheaper and faster’ would work better than ‘we have no policies’

Queensland delays emissions plans by up to five years A rollback of climate policies in Queensland could require other states to find as much as 9 per cent of new emissions reductions to meet federal targets.

Queensland government coming in from the long run up on climate policy
www.afr.com/policy/energ...

“every electron put into the grid arguably makes what is already there (including Loy Yang B) less attractive, so we’re relying on an investor to cut their own lunch.”

www.afr.com/chanticleer/...

Australia leading the world for cancelled green hydrogen projects

40m litres a day: water utilities’ data centre warning Businesses say minimum efficiency standards are needed to manage the demands of the booming artificial intelligence industry.

Individual data centres proposed for Australia’s major cities are seeking daily water volumes equivalent to that used by 80,000 homes, prompting utilities to demand stricter rules and water efficiency standards for the huge new facilities.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...

That’s right: incredible news fodder

Everyone is getting upset about the data centers. They pollute a lot and use a lot of energy and will eventually be very ugly/huge vacant buildings. And I understand being mad about that. Until you consider the state of the lazer tag industry at this moment, and how much help that sector needs.

Why Australia needs to build things (and build them fast) On its own, this week’s long-awaited overhaul of cumbersome green tape laws won’t solve our energy and housing woes. But it’s a good start.

On its own, this week’s long-awaited overhaul of cumbersome green tape laws won’t solve Australia’s energy and housing woes. But it’s a good start.

www.afr.com/policy/energ...