Archived News for Energy Sector Professionals - April, 2012
The Federal Government has announced $10 million in funding for Western Australia’s Carnegie Wave Energy’s Perth Wave Energy Project on Garden Island near Fremantle.
“With the Government’s assistance through the Emerging Renewables Program, this $31 million pilot project will demonstrate the potential for Carnegie’s Australian invented and owned CETO technology to provide up to two megawatts of energy to the electricity grid,” Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson said.
“This technology not only has the potential to increase investor confidence in wave projects and help unlock Australia's untapped wave energy resource, but it could also produce zero emission desalinated seawater, which on a dry continent such as Australia, is a significant additional attraction.”
Pluto LNG Project produces its first Liquefied Natural Gas
Woodside’s $14.9 billion Pluto Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project has produced its first LNG.
Work begins on Marine Supply Base
Construction of the $110 million offshore gas Marine Supply Base has begun in the Northern Territory.
CEM meeting held
The third annual Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) meeting has convened in London, bringing together energy ministers and business leaders from around the world with an aim of driving greater corporation between governments and the private sector on clean energy development.
CSIRO pushes for cheaper electronics
A group of leading Australian scientists have come together to further the development of lower-cost, flexible optoelectronic devices that promises to transform the country’s consumer electronics industry.
SA uranium deal inches closer
The development of South Australia’s next major uranium mining development has inched closer after the signing of a 10-year least for the Four Mile site.
Victoria backs waste-to-energy pilot
The Victorian Government has confirmed $4.5 million in funding for a biomass plant that will convert organic waste into electricity.
Hays Quarterly Report: Oil and Gas
Professional services specialist Hays has published its Quarterly report into recruitment trends for the April-June quarter for this year.
Crean calls for cooperation for Latrobe transition
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean has called on local leaders to work cooperatively in the Latrobe Valley to help identify new opportunities to assist the area transitioning to a clean energy future.
Expert committee appointed for Clean Tech programs
The Federal Government has announced the appointment of an independent expert committee to assist and advice Innovation Australia to deliver $1 billion in Clean Technology Investment programs.
Geoengineering "risky" says Chief Scientist
Geoengineering is regarded as “risky” by the Office of Australia’s Chief Scientist, with the sector struggling under little governance or broader policy frameworks according to a recently published report.
Government seeks comment on IAA for Woomera area
The Federal Government has announced it is seeking comment after the release of a standardised Deed of Access for exploration in the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA).
Hays Quarterly Report: Energy
Global recruitment specialist Hays has released its quarterly report into recruitment trends for the April – June 2012 quarter.
Wongai project declared significant
The Queensland Government has announced a proposed $500 million coking coal mine has been declared a ‘Significant Project’ by the state’s Coordinator-General.
Verve Energy appoints new CEO
Verve Energy have announced the appointment of Jason Waters as CEO of Verve Energy, WA’s leading electricity generator.
Public consultation begins for Gladstone EIS
The Queensland Government has opened the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed multi-billion dollar Arrow liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Gladstone.
Work starts on Greenough PV project
The Greenough River Solar Farm is a 10-megawatt facility 50km south of Geraldton, with construction of the above ground electrical works starting four months ago to support the 150,000 solar panels across an area of 80 hectares.
BAF to see off red tape
The Business Advisory Forum (BAF) has agreed to reform that will expedite environmental approvals and assessments at its inaugural meeting.
Leighton wins $420 million Indonesia contract
Leighton Asia has announced it has won a seven-year, $420 million contract to provide mining services to PT Marunda Grahamineral in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Qantas to undertake biofuel study
Qantas has announced it will conduct a feasibility study into the potential of an Australian sustainable aviation fuel industry, backed by funding from the Federal Government after the company conducted a successful test flight of an Airbus A330 fueled by a 50-50 blend of biofuel and regulat jet fuel.
Storm brews over NER reform
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Michael O’Brien, has warned that his government may have no other choice but to reconsider its support of COAG’s National Energy Retail (NER) Law Bill if the Federal Government does not provide assurances that the Australian Energy Regulator will be sufficiently funded.