September
Dutton’s nuclear policy put to the test
Several of the fundamental arguments made by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to underpin the Coalition’s nuclear policy do not convince independent energy experts.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Cannon-Brookes’ Grok fails to back AGL board on exec pay
The decision by Mike Cannon-Brookes’ private company to abstain on the remuneration vote signals tensions over emissions reduction plans are unresolved.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Coalition nuclear policy relies on coal for longer than experts expect
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has conceded that the Coalition’s nuclear policy relies on an extended use of coal power and a sharply increased role for gas power.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith and Phillip Coorey
- Exclusive
- Carbon challenge
Shell says ‘dysfunctional’ rules putting energy transition at risk
The London-listed group’s local chairwoman, Cecile Wake, says high hurdles for its gas projects are now emerging in its big renewable generation portfolio.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
- Analysis
- Nuclear energy
Nuclear debate stalls as detail goes missing in action
The information vacuum includes the costings behind the Coalition’s nuclear vision and a realistic assessment from Labor about the problems in the way of 2030 climate targets.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
WA opens narrow window for onshore gas exports
The Cook government’s revised policy may not be enough to achieve the aims of encouraging more gas exploration and development, some commentators say.
- Tom Rabe, Angela Macdonald-Smith and Brad Thompson
Australia and Germany in $660m hydrogen funding initiative
Chris Bowen has rejected commentary about the death of hydrogen industry, claiming production could reach a million tonnes a year in five years.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith and James Hall
Renewables record tumbles but may be close to pause
Renewables’ share of generation hit a fresh record on Monday, but with coal plants having to run at minimum levels it may be near a temporary limit.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Origin reworks coal power stalwart for final years
The giant Eraring coal generator faces a dynamic last few years to cope with the influx of renewables as the baseload site reinvents itself.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Gas ‘reality dawning’ for Victorian government, says exploration firm
Lakes Blue Energy chief operating officer Tim O’Brien has welcomed the Allan government’s public softening of its stance on gas.
- Gus McCubbing
Shell well flare in Qld fires up east coast gas hopes
An apparent success by Shell in the little-known Taroom Trough in Queensland has industry insiders excited about a potential large new source of gas.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Wild winds blow up solar farm profits
Almost 80 per cent of NSW solar farm output was turned off on Sunday to avoid losses as prices plunged due to oversupply amid plentiful rooftop solar and wind power.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
August
Power market ‘beginning to fail’, energy users say
Manufacturers say forecasts for slower EV uptake are a short-term reprieve and that the regular use of voluntary usage cutbacks shows the market isn’t working.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Pressure on power grid eases as EV uptake falters
The Australian Energy Market Operator also cited softer economic growth and the bigger size of rooftop solar systems for the cut in forecast demand from the grid.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith and Ben Potter
Snowy Hydro’s Kurri Kurri generator to run on diesel for months
The new 660-megawatt power station will begin operating in December but only switch to gas early next year, with green hydrogen now a long-term option.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Power squeeze worries linger despite Eraring extension
Delays in renewable energy zones and rising electricity demand from data centres mean concerns about power supply reliability haven’t gone away.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Snowy Hydro adds fourth tunnel borer in bid to keep project on track
Snowy’s decision to spend $75 million on an extra tunnel boring machine signals it is prioritising start-up timing over cost pressures at the project.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Choke in gas supply makes imports, once unthinkable, almost inevitable
Falling production at a large plant and a forecast slide in supply from fields off the south-eastern coast is adding to the anxieties of major users.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
Indonesia suffers the consequences of cosying up to China
China helped Indonesia become the world’s dominant producer of nickel, a mineral essential for electric vehicles. As a result, it’s struggling to access the huge US market.
- Christina Lu
Productivity Commission set to lead power market reforms
Paying generators not only for the power they produce but also their ability to plug supply gaps will be critical to ensure grid reliability as coal plants shut down.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith and Ben Potter