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Energy prices

Today

Our oceans are in crisis as a toxic algal bloom devastates commercial fisheries, tourism operators and oyster farmers in South Australia, while Queensland’s tour operators and fisheries also grapple with successive bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef.

No better time than now to set stronger net-zero targets

It’s time to lead with conviction. Targets work; strong targets even better. Cutting climate pollution is not only essential, but also an economic opportunity.

Our electricity cost advantage has been utterly squandered. Even Japan, which is forced to import virtually all its energy needs (mostly from Australia) has lower electricity prices ($US0.22) than Australia.

Why net zero targets are impoverishing our nation

If we stick with them, our economy will weaken, living standards will suffer and the electricity price advantage we once enjoyed will be even more of a distant memory.

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said the deal offers future opportunities for further partnerships with Aramco.

Woodside takes $214m hit after ditching major US hydrogen project

The oil and gas producer also said it’s still negotiating with the government on the approval for the 40-year extension of the North West Shelf venture.

This Month

Omega Oil & Gas carried out fracture stimulation at a well in its Taroom Trough acreage in Queensland in 2024.

Investors follow Shell into Taroom, the next big thing in oil and gas

While the petroleum potential of the Queensland region was recognised decades ago, only advances in drilling technology and higher prices have opened it up.

Santos’ production at its Moomba hub in South Australia’s north was reduced by flooding in the June quarter.

Santos’ $6.1b gas project on track as investors await bid news

The oil and gas company, which is the subject of a $36.4 billion takeover bid, has lowered its expected output for the year.

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Squadron’s Port Kembla LNG import terminal is almost complete, minus the floating import vessel.

APA warns AEMO on relying on lowball LNG import terminal costs

An LNG import terminal is likely to cost over $1 billion in total, not $250 million, the pipeline owner has told the energy market operator.

How to turn your solar battery into a side hustle

Some people can get their home battery system working so hard they eliminate bills and even make money.

The Yadnarie project will involve 150 fields of sun-tracking mirrors plus a water-based storage system.

AGL raises bet on after-dark solar with SA acquisition

The innovative project to be built on the Eyre Peninsula will make solar power available after the sun sets, but will require government support.

The costs of building new large energy projects need to be reined in to lift flagging productivity, Ai Group says.

Step up on energy rollout or lose out: industry’s warning

Faster approvals, smarter planning and efficient gas development rules should be on the table at the government’s productivity roundtable, Ai Group says.

Gas pipelines in WA.

One-third jump in West Australian gas pipe fees ‘a warning’ for all

The increase in transportation charges next year will inevitably hit energy prices for businesses, a state regulator said.

A virtual power plant involves coordinating solar panels and batteries installed across thousands of individual dwellings.

AGL buys Tesla home battery network in community power push

The acquisition of thousands of batteries and solar panels in South Australia takes AGL closer to its growth target in distributed energy assets.

Chris Miller, chief executive of State Electricity Commission Victoria, says the government investments will help the grid as well as make returns.

Vic govt selling power to business is ‘good for competition’

Victoria’s resurrected State Electricity Commission will be taking on heavyweight energy retailing rivals when it starts to target business customers later this year.

June

Australian Energy Regulator chair Clare Savage.

Basslink U-turn puts faith in long-term power price benefits

The energy regulator was swayed by arguments from Hydro Tasmania and others that regulating the power cable between Victoria and Tasmania was the best option.

AGL says it pays up to $25 million a year on meeting regulation costs – some of which is inevitably passed on to consumers.

$25m a year on red tape is driving up power prices: AGL

The boss of the country’s largest energy retailer says excessive red tape is contributing to the hefty price hikes that Chris Bowen blames on high retail costs.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

Power price crackdown to aid households: Bowen

The system used to cap standing offer prices for household electricity isn’t working and will be overhauled, the energy minister says.

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The single-digit temperatures have arrived.

Double-digit power price hikes coming just in time for winter

Retailers are telling customers they will be hit with increased electricity prices of up to 14 per cent – well above the rises in the regulated default market.

Victoria’s gas budget is under strain.

Victoria uses 13pc of entire year’s gas budget in just three days

Breakdowns at a major coal power plant and weak renewable energy generation have left the state running down its stores faster than expected in a cold winter.

Data centres need huge amounts of power to process information used in artificial intelligence.

Runaway energy build-out costs threaten data centre opportunity

Australia’s hopes of an outsized share of the data centre market will come to nothing unless it can rein in the cost of the clean energy expansion.

There is no shortage of gas.

Billions of dollars and plenty of jobs at stake in Labor’s gas plans

Long-suffering east coast gas users justifiably want access to more affordable supplies, but putting domestic needs ahead of exports would come at a big cost.

Western Australia’s gas reservation scheme has kept prices in the state low.

Australians are upset about gas prices. This chart shows why

Western Australia reserves a portion of its export gas for domestic use – and has some of the lowest prices in the world.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/energy-prices-1mpp