Archived News for Energy Sector Professionals

The Queensland State Government has passed legislation that will remove Benchmark Retail Cost Indexes used by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to currently set prices. The legislation will see the QCA use a new pricing and tariff structure.

The reforms, which passed with bipartisan support, provide the legislative support for the work currently being done by the QCA to develop the new pricing system.

Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said the reforms will aim at maintaining cost-effectiveness of the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme, which is now responsible for the production of 2000 megawatts.

University to study Home Energy Display influence

The University of Ballarat has announced a study that will research the influences on Home Energy Displays on domestic household energy consumption as part of a major project for the Central Victorian solar City program.

United States – Australia Solar Energy Collaboration Special Research Initiative - Request for comment

The Australia Solar Institute is interested in receiving feedback from the Australian solar research community in relation to a proposed Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) funded initially under the auspices of the United States – Australia Solar Energy Collaboration (USASEC).

Carnegie announces breakthrough tidal energy research

Western Australian renewable energy company Carnegie Wave Energy has announced a breakthrough technological development in wave energy generation that the company says will catapult Australia into international leadership in the field.

Reports outline the nation's electricity supply outlook

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has released its two-year outlook for the adequacy of power systems across Australia, together with a report of Electrical Statement of Opportunities (ESOO), which looks at power production for the longer term over three to ten years.

Review of Tasmanian energy sector on track

The Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Resources, Bryan Green, has announced that the Expert Panel reviewing Tasmania’s electricity supply industry was on track to deliver its final report to the State Government by the end of the year.

WA approves Wheatstone LNG project

The West Australian government has given final environmental approval for the $25 billion Chevron-led Wheatstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the state's north-west.

$1.3 billion injected into SA renewable energy

Sulzon Energy Australia has revealed plans to spend upwards of $1.3 billion building one of the world's largest wind energy projects on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula.

Changes to Victoria's Solar Feed In Tariff announced

The Victorian Government has announced that the solar feed-in tariff incentive program that currently pays 60c per kilowatt hour for surplus electricity exported to the mains grid will not be accepting new applications after the end of this month.

Victoria passes new wind farm legislation

The Victorian State Government has passed legislation which prohibits the construction of new wind turbines within certain proximity to dwellings and regional centres.

Shell to cease refining at Clyde

Shell has announced that it will stop refining operations at its 79,000 barrel-per-day Clyde Refinery in Sydney, Australia, and convert it and the Gore Bay Terminal into a fuel import facility before mid 2013.

Energy Watch hit by allegations of misconduct

Electricity broker Energy Watch has been accused of false and misleading advertising by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC is due to take the company before the Federal Court on allegations of misleading conduct in its advertising.

NABERS to be extended to six stars

The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) is being extended from five to six stars.

Dart Energy contracts Clarke Energy for gas fired power generation projects in New South Wales

Dart Energy has contracted Clarke Energy for the design, supply, installation, commissioning, operations and maintenance services of a number of small to mid-scale gas-fired power generation projects, which will source gas from Dart Energy’s New South Wales licence portfolio.

Origin announces 15 per cent Underlying Profit increase

Origin Energy Limited (Origin) has announced a 15 per cent increase in Underlying Profit to $673 million for the financial year ended 30 June 2011, when compared with the prior year.

Consultation - New Facilities Investment Test Application for Western Power’s Mid West Energy Project (Southern Section) Submitted by Western Power

The Economic Regulation Authority is seeking public comment on an application from Western Power to include an amount of new facilities investment associated with the Mid West Energy Project (Southern Section) in its regulatory capital base. The new facilities investment is forecast to cost $383.4 million and involves the construction of a 330 kV transmission line from Neerabup to Three Springs and the interconnection of the existing 132 kV Three Springs substation with a new 330 kV Three Springs Terminal.

Queensland releases carbon price impact findings

The Queensland State Treasury has released its Carbon Price Impacts for Queensland statement, in which Treasury outlines the projected affects the tax will have on the state’s economy.

WA Government signs renewable energy deal

The Western Australian Water Minister Bill Marmion and Energy Minister Peter Collier have finalised an agreement which will see the Water Corporation purchase the entire output from Australia’s first utility-scale solar farm to be built near Geraldton.