SDG 13 - Climate Action

Below are all Australian news items from all ESG Snapshot issues that are relevant to SDG 13 (climate action), listed with most recent items appearing first.

Issue 74, 16 December 2024

A House of Representatives select committee on nuclear energy is holding two hearings in Western Australia this week. 

A hearing today in Collie will hear from Traditional Owners, the Electrical Trades Union of WA, and the Climate Justice Union. 

A hearing in Perth on Tuesday will hear from groups including the Minerals Council, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA, the WA Conservation Council, Engineers Australia, and Tellus.

A Senate select committee on energy planning and regulation is due to report this Friday. 

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has announced 19 successful projects under round 1 of the Capacity Investment Scheme. The 19 projects have a total capacity of 6.4GW.

The seven NSW projects have a capacity of 3.7GW, plus 900MWh of battery storage, and the seven Victorian projects have a capacity of 1.GW (plus 1,500MWh of storage).

The two South Australian projects have a joint capacity of 574MW, and the three Queensland projects have a capacity of 550MW, plus 1,200MWh of storage.

The successful projects have committed to provide a total of $660 million for community development initiatives, and $280 million for First Nations benefits. 

Most of the projects are expected to start operating between 2026 and 2028.

Consultation opportunity - planning the future of the NEM. The Australian Energy Market Operator is consulting on draft 2025 inputs, assumptions, and scenarios. 

AEMO is proposing three scenarios for work including its 2026 Integrated System Plan:

• a refined version of its 2023 Step Change scenario, in which consumers are more hesitant to share their energy resources via their energy retailer, virtual power plants, and vehicle to grid.
• a Progressive Change scenario, which assumes less economic growth, and a weaker and slower energy transition globally, "meaning local benefits from new green industry opportunities are relatively unrealised".
• a Green Energy scenario, involving two variants - Green Energy Exports (but with lower NEM-connected hydrogen production than envisaged in 2023), and Green Energy Industries (which would exclude developments that would support hydrogen exports as an energy carrier). 

Consultation closes on 11 February. 

Meanwhile, an independent panel reviewing NEM settings has issued a paperspecifying issues on which it would value early stakeholder input. 

Associate Professor Cris Brack has released his latest independent review of the performance of human-induced regeneration projects registered under the ACCU scheme. The report analyses 33 HIR projects. 

Climateworks has issued a report on leading climate policies from Australia's states and territories.

A review of the application of the EPBC Act to large-scale renewables projects, conducted by Herbert Smith Freehills and the Clean Energy Investor Group, identifies ten "quick wins" to solve common problems.

The design of the federal government's Energy Price Relief Plan was largely effective, and its development was informed by sound policy advice, concludes an audit report by the Auditor-General.

The five-year plan, worth up to $3.5 billion and encompassing measures including electricity bill rebates, was developed in response to global energy price volatility triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

CSIRO has published a series of business case reports exploring the technical and economic feasibility of developing a low emissions carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) hub near Darwin.  

One report outlines a pathway to expand CO₂ capture and storage to more than 25 million tonnes annually by 2040.

A second report concludes that rapid decarbonisation in the Northern Territory will require a combination of technologies like renewable electrification, hydrogen, and CCUS.

A third assesses demand for low-emissions hydrogen, ammonia and chemical feedstocks in the NT's major trade markets - Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, and Taiwan. 

A fourth provides an overview of international CCUS projects, with a particular emphasis on European hub examples, while a fifth examines sector coupling to create a low emissions production hub for ammonia, urea, methanol and derivatives. 

Other reports provide a concept-level overview and costings for a CCUS hub, analyse power generation options, assess transnational CO2 shipping options, and explore opportunities for CO2 utilisation in the NT.

CSIRO has released its draft GenCost report for FY25. Key findings include:

• Large-scale PV capital costs have fallen 8% for two years in a row. 
• Battery costs recorded the largest annual reduction, with capital costs falling 20%. 
• Onshore wind generation costs increased 2%, reflecting ongoing but moderate increases in equipment and installation costs. 
• Gas turbine costings increased 11%, reflecting the additional cost of being hydrogen ready, which is now an industry standard. 
• Modelling nuclear's long operational life factor across all new-build electricity generation technologies presents no unique cost advantage over other technologies.  
• Based on global analysis, the total development lead time for nuclear in Australia would be at least 15 years.  

The federal government has declared an area off northern Tasmania's Bass Strait as suitable for offshore wind development. The government says the zone has the capacity to generate 20GW of offshore wind energy. 

The area is the sixth offshore wind zone to be declared - following declarations for Gippsland, the Hunter, the Southern Ocean, the Illawarra, and Bunbury. 

The federal government has gazetted Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Amendment (Overlapping Applications) Regulations. 

An explanatory statement says the regulations are required to address the interpretation of the offshore wind licensing scheme adopted by the Federal Court in the Seadragon case. 

Meanwhile, the government has gazetted new regulations under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act. 

The 2024 amendments include licensing scheme requirements for management plans, a design notification scheme, financial security, safety and protection zones, work health and safety, record keeping, and fees. 

Submissions on the draft regulations are available here. 

The federal government has launched a $10.8 million Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Climate Resilience Grant Program to build climate resilience and address climate change impacts in the region.

The program which will fund the recruitment of local First Nations climate resilience officers to conduct adaptation actions and projects to support regional climate adaptation.

The Coalition has released costings by Frontier Economics that it says show nuclear power, "offers a cheaper, cleaner, and more consistent alternative, delivering massive savings for Australian families and businesses".

The federal government has gazetted amendment regulations under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act to ensure hydrogen production from electrolysis is eligible for exemption from RET liability. 

The regulations also adjust the exemption from liability provisions for iron and steel, to better allow for potential future changes to production processes. 

Export Finance Australia is providing a US$79 million loan to a major renewable energy project in Thailand, supporting a USD820 million equivalent construction facility arranged by the Asian Development Bank. 

The financing will enable Gulf Energy to develop eight solar projects, and four solar plus battery energy storage system projects, with a total capacity of 649MW.

ARENA's latest annual report says that in FY24 the agency increased funding committed to $392.5 million and doubled the number of projects committed to 72, up from $358 million and 35 projects in 2022-23.

Former Reserve Bank deputy governor, Dr Guy Debelle, has been appointed to the CEFC Board.

Dr Debelle is a board member at FundsSA, a non-executive director at critical minerals company Tivan, and co-chair of the ASFI Taxonomy Technical Experts Group that is developing an Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.

The latest annual report of Coal Innovation NSW provides an update on technologies to destroy ventilation air methane, and on work to establish CO2 storage potential in the state.

Consultation opportunity - biodiversity impacts of renewable energy projects. The Victorian government is consulting on proposed new guidance on the impacts of renewable energy facilities on Victoria’s biodiversity.

Consultation materials comprise a discussion paper and a draft handbook for managing the biodiversity impact of renewable energy projects. 

The materials favour a "no net loss" approach to biodiversity impacts, rather than a "net positive" approach. 

Consultation opportunity - electrification. The Victorian government has developed a Regulatory Impact Statement exploring options and pathways to electrify all new residential and some new commercial buildings.

The RIS examines four options and favours an option involving electrification of all new residential and commercial buildings. The preferred option also includes the replacement of gas hot water and heating with electric at end-of-life in existing residential buildings, with the exception of cookers. 

Comments are due by 28 February.

The Victorian government has issued a Critical Minerals Roadmap, which signals the establishment of a Victorian Critical Minerals Coordination Office, and the classification of priority development zones. 

The state government will also develop a benefit sharing model for the community and Traditional Owners, and convene an advisory group to investigate the establishment of a critical minerals downstream industry in regional Victoria.

Victoria's critical mineral resources include globally significant quantities of titanium, zirconium, and associated rare-earth elements in mineral sand deposits in the northwest of the state. 

Central Victoria has Australia's largest antimony deposits and the nation’s only operating antimony mine.

Promising early-stage mineral exploration for other critical minerals is also underway.

The latest annual Victorian Renewable Energy Target Progress Report states that renewable energy sources accounted for approximately 37.8% of Victoria’s electricity generation in FY24.

In addition:

• 13 large-scale generation projects with a combined capacity of 2,199MW were under construction or undergoing commissioning as at 30 June 2024.
• Victorian households and businesses installed 630MW of rooftop solar systems in FY24, resulting in rooftop solar providing 9.3% of Victoria's electricity generation, up from 7.9% during the previous year.
• 557MW of commissioned energy storage capacity and 12 utility-scale storage projects with a combined capacity of 1,115MW were under construction or undergoing commissioning as at 30 June 2024.

The WA Appeal Convenor has issued its first advice that takes into account a recently released state government policy that leaves it to the federal Safeguard Mechanism to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from major projects.

The advice is in its report on 134 appeals lodged over an EPA report recommendation to conditionally approve the expansion of South32's bauxite mine near Boddington, which services its Worsley alumina refinery.

The Appeals Convenor notes that the EPA report preceded the release of the new greenhouse gas policy, but says the EPA was cognisant of the Safeguard, and that in any case the policy is now the measure by which carbon emission conditions must be set.

The Convenor proposed deleting the EPA-proposed greenhouse gas conditions, and inserting new conditions. The proposed new conditions include references to "non-Safeguard GHG emissions", such as those arising from land clearing. 

Environment Minister Reece Whitby has decided to accept the recommendations made by the Appeals Convenor on all matters relating to the mine expansion, including those dealing with greenhouse gas emissions.

The WA government has appointed an industry advisory board for its new Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence, and named the centre's general manager. 

The centre has been allocated $70.5 million in federal and state funding over five years. 

The WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy has released a report on the state's green iron potential.

The WA government has awarded grants totalling $3.2 million to six projects, under the latest round of its Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program.

Issue 73, 9 December 2024

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has published an information paperoutlining the objectives of a Climate Vulnerability Assessment that it is conducting with Australia's five largest general insurers.

The assessment is exploring how the affordability of general insurance might change between now and 2050 in response to physical and transition risks, modelled against two future climate scenarios.

The findings will be released next year. 

Meanwhile, the latest quarterly statement from the Council of Financial Regulatorssays understanding, measuring and preparing for the effects of the physical and transition risks of climate change "is a key priority for the financial system, in line with the government's sustainable finance strategy".

Consultation opportunity - clean energy and net zero. The Productivity Commission is seeking ideas to inform its recommendations to government as part of five new inquiries, one of which is an inquiry into investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and net zero.

The PC will combine the public input with its own research to identify three to five policy reforms under each inquiry, which it will explore further.

Suggestions should be submitted by 15 January. 

Santos has registered two ACCU soil carbon projects in Queensland, and Treasury Wines has registered an ACCU soil carbon project in South Australia.

A CSIRO report on hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing has projected that Australia's hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing sector could generate $1.7 billion in revenue and create nearly 4,000 jobs by 2050. 

A meeting in Adelaide of climate and energy ministers has released a "version 2" Home Energy Ratings Disclosure Framework, which aims to facilitate a nationally consistent approach to home energy ratings disclosure, for states and territories that choose to implement it. 

It updates an initial version released in July, and now includes apartment buildings. 

An associated cost benefit analysis says there is a net economic benefit nationally, and in all jurisdictions, for implementing mandatory disclosure at point of sale.

There is a net economic benefit in all jurisdictions for implementing mandatory disclosure at point of lease, if scheme design decisions to reduce compliance costs and other supporting initiatives are incorporated, it concludes.

Meanwhile, ministers also instructed senior officials to develop options tostrengthen consumer protections and modernise the consumer regulatory framework.

The meeting communique is here.

The federal government has announced a review of the NEM wholesale market settings by an independent expert panel.

The review will be chaired by Associate Professor Tim Nelson. Other panel members include Paula Conboy, Ava Hancock and Phil Hirschhorn.

The expert panel will consult states and territories, and will not consider options that involve carbon trading schemes, carbon markets, "or that entail governments supporting new fossil fuel generation".

The federal government has released the inaugural First Nations Clean Energy Strategy. 

The strategy has three goals - power First Nations communities with clean energy, enable equitable partnerships, and achieve economic benefits with First Nations peoples. 

A supporting plan will be developed.

Australia has announced a $75 million contribution to Singapore's FAST-P program, which aims to accelerate the move to net zero in Southeast Asia. 

Singapore announced at COP29 that it was committing US$500 million in concessional funding the program, which aims to bring together public, private and philanthropic funding.

ARENA has awarded a $10 million grant to Fortescue to develop, build, and demonstrate world-first fast EV chargers for heavy electric vehicles.

The project will develop 6MW fast chargers capable of charging 240-tonne battery-electric trucks within 30 minutes.

The grant is the first awarded under the $400 million Industrial Transformation Stream of the federal $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund.

The CEFC has made a $25 million commitment to energy network owner and operator Energy Locals, to support the deployment of clean energy in apartments, aged care centres, and commercial sites. 

The CEFC finance comes from its Powering Australia Technology Fund (PATF), under its growth equity investment strategy, which supports fast-growing technology businesses.

Meanwhile, the CEFC is also committing $50 million to Bank Australia to support up to $100 million in green home loans, as part of the $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund. 

The investment follows similar deals with Plenti, Westpac, and ING Australia.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has formally declined to take into account climate change impacts in her consideration of three coal mine expansion projects. 

The decisions regarding the basis for assessing expansions of Idemitsu's Boggabri coal project, BHP Mitsubishi's Cabal Ridge coal project, and Jellinbah's Lake Vermont coal project leave the way clear for the government to approve the projects at any time.

The Minister's decision follows unsuccessful efforts by the Environment Council of Central Queensland, which sought to have the basis for assessing the projects reconsidered, so that climate impacts would be taken into account.

An alliance of organisations including the Energy Efficiency Council, the Australian Industry Group, and the Property Council has issued a report titled Demanding Better, which calls for a new national energy performance agency and targets.

Grant opportunity - clean energy supply chains. Applications are now being accepted under Round 1 of the Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program.

Grants will fund research and development projects and feasibility studies to develop, diversify and reduce vulnerabilities in supply chains for solar PV, hydrogen electrolysers, and batteries.

Projects must be delivered jointly with Indo-Pacific organisations. Organisations in India, Japan and the US can also be additional project partners.

Up to $25 million will be available under the funding round, with grants of up to $2.5 million available. 

The federal government has announced grants totalling $21 million for five critical minerals projects that involve international partnerships.

AEMO has released its first Transition Plan for System Security, an annual report focussed on maintaining power system security as the NEM shifts towards lower emissions.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins last week convened a roundtable of key industry leaders in Sydney to discuss the development of the agriculture and land Sector net zero plan.  

Solquartz Pty Ltd has lodged an EPBC referral for Project Green Poly, near Townsville, which will include a facility that processes quartz into metallurgical silicon, then into polysilicon.

The $8 billion project could provide north Queensland with an opportunity to be an integral part of the global solar PV manufacturing supply chain, the referral says. 

The project will also include a biochar processing facility, and a battery energy storage system.

Solquartz is a subsidiary of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners.

ENEOS, Japan's largest oil company, is to increase production of a green hydrogen carrier at Bulwer Island, the state government has announced. 

For two years from 2026, ENEOS will produce up to 680 kilograms of methylcyclohexane (MCH) at Bulwer Island, following a previous successful pilot project at the site. 

MCH is a liquid that can be transported at room temperature and normal pressure, making it easy to store and transport. 

This project is a demonstration project commissioned by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and supported by its Green Innovation Fund.

The NSW EPA is considering a range of licence variations for the 59 coal mine licences that it administers, including additional reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and tougher standards for non-road diesel equipment.

The announcement follows consultation as part of a five-yearly review of coal mine licences.

The EPA has also released a summary report of its consultations on coal mine licences.

The NSW government has tabled in Parliament a review of provisions in the National Parks and Wildlife Act that empower the Minister for the Environment to create and deal with carbon sequestration rights on National Parks Service land.

The review notes that national parks represent one of the largest carbon stores in NSW, covering more than 10% of the state, and equating to 40% of the total NSW forest carbon stock. 

"Providing secure, long-term protection for these carbon stocks is a vital contribution to managing climate change risk," it says.

The review says two National Parks Service vegetation regeneration projects are expected to generate 738,000 ACCUs over 25 years. Various existing environmental plantings projects are expected to generate 191,875 ACCUs over 25 years. 

The review concludes the provisions remain valid and appropriate.

The NSW government has released a Seaweed Prospectus, which aims to develop a globally competitive seaweed industry, and highlights opportunities for investment in the sector. 

Opportunities include the global nutraceuticals market, the pet food market, methane-reducing supplements, animal feed additives, and alternative proteins. 

The prospectus says seaweed farming is one of the world's fastest growing industries.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition the EIS for Elgin Energy's proposed 600MW Mayfair solar farm and associated battery storage system, which would be located in the Central-West and Orana REZ.

Consultation opportunity - energy efficiency. The Victorian government is consulting on 2026 to 2027 targets for its Victorian Energy Upgrades program.

A webinar will be held on 11 December, and responses are due by 16 January.

The WA EPA has recommended approval for BHP Iron Ore to increase the capacity of its Yarmina gas power station in the Pilbara. The assessment report says it is "highly likely" that BHP will need to use carbon credits to comply with the project's proposed emissions reduction trajectory.

If BHP relies solely on ACCUs to comply with the trajectory, it will require 220,000 ACCUs a year from FY27 to FY30, rising to 940,000 by FY51 to FY52.

KMPG estimate that post FY30, the proposal's annual ACCU demand volume could be more than 2.5% of total ACCU supply.

The WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has granted works approval for construction of BP's H2 Kwinana Renewable Hydrogen project, on the site of the company's former refinery.

The facility will produce 48 tonnes of green hydrogen each day.

Clean energy and decarbonisation, environment and sustainability, mineral supply and value-adding, and sustainable food production are among the strategic action areas listed in a new 10-year state science and technology plan. 

Grant opportunity - wind industry manufacturing. The state government is offering up to 50% co-investment funding under a new Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program.

Both financial and non-financial support is being made available through the program.

Priority areas include the manufacture of wind tower foundations, anchor cages, transmission poles and specialised transport trailers.

Grant opportunity - mineral carbonation. The Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia is inviting expressions of interest for grant funding for research into mineral carbonation.

The NT EPA is inviting comment on the proposed Lei Lithium project, proposed by Lithium Plus Minerals, which would be located approximately 30km south of Darwin.

Issue 72, 2 December 2024

Statutory development - Future Made in Australia. Parliament has passed the government's Future Made in Australia legislative package.

The package comprises:

• the Future Made in Australia Bill that establishes a National Interest Framework to support decision-making about public investment that facilitates private sector investment in the national interest.
• an associated omnibus amendments Bill that amends the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act and ARENA's establishing legislation. 
• a Guarantee of Origin Bill that establishes a voluntary Guarantee of Origin (GO) certification scheme, which will authenticate low-emissions products, starting with hydrogen, as well as renewable electricity.

Statutory development - production tax incentives. A production tax incentives Bill designed to implement the next stage of the Future Made in Australia package, has passed the House of Representatives. The Bill establishes two tax incentives:

• a Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive worth $2 per kilogram of renewable hydrogen produced between FY28 and FY40, for up to ten years per project.
• a Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive worth 10% of relevant processing and refining costs between FY28 and FY40, for up to ten years per project.

In a related move, the Senate has instigated a committee inquiry into the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024. Submissions are due by 9 January and the inquiry will report by 30 January.

A Greens-chaired Senate select committee on the impacts of climate risk on insurance has issued its final report, with the majority report recommending that Treasury develop options for a levy on coal and gas extraction companies.

The funds should be used to help fund disaster mitigation and resilience measures, and the cost of rising insurance, it recommends. 

In additional remarks, Labor senators said they "agree in principle that securing funding from fossil fuel producers to contribute towards supporting policy holders is an idea that has merit". 

"However, we cannot endorse such a significant change to Australia's taxation system when it is not supported by any modelling or evidence of its intended or unintended consequences," they stated.

Any such levy "could act as a perverse incentive to future Governments to prop up the thermal coal sector", they added.

Coalition senators said that they "oppose in principle the idea of a levy of this kind because the cost will likely be passed on to consumers through the higher costs of goods and services". 

"Any review of the taxation of fossil fuel companies should be of a broader examination of Australia’s taxation system as to whether it will play a key role in the transition to a carbon neutral future or arrest biodiversity loss," they said.

The federal government has issued its latest Annual Climate Change Statement, along with new emissions projections, and a new quarterly update of its emissions inventory. 

In addition, the Climate Change Authority has issued its latest Annual Progress Report, assessing Australia's progress in reducing emissions.

Registration for the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 4 - NEM Generation - is now open.

CSIRO has successfully trialled what it describes as a game-changing hydrogen production technology at BlueScope's Port Kembla Steelworks.  

CSIRO's technology, which has been licensed to CSIRO spin-off Hadean Energy, has completed 1,000 hours of successful operation in the trial with BlueScope Steel, which commenced in October 2024.  

Unlike conventional hydrogen electrolysers, which rely heavily on electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, the CSIRO technology also makes use of waste heat (for example, steam from the steelworks) to help produce hydrogen.  

The technology can reduce the electricity needed to produce renewable hydrogen by up to 30%.

Meanwhile, a new CSIRO venture called FPR Energy has secured $15 million in seed funding to commercialise next generation solar thermal technology. 

FPR Energy was launched in collaboration with global advisory and funds management firm RFC Ambrian and utilities leader Osaka Gas. 

FPR Energy aims to cut emissions in heavy industries such as minerals refining, steel, cement and chemical production using CSIRO’s particle-based Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) technology, which is capable of producing temperatures up to 1,200 degrees Celsius. 

Squadron Energy has made an EPBC referral for its 300MW Conargo wind farm in NSW, and an associated 150MW/1,200MWh battery storage system.

Meanwhile, Jinko has referred a 600MW solar farm and 400MW/800MWh battery storage system, proposed for a site near Goondiwindi. 

In addition QEM Ltd has made a referral for its Julia Creek vanadium and energy project in Queensland's North West Minerals Province, and Aeris Resources has referred its Constellation copper project in NSW. 

The federal government has called for expressions of interest to develop voluntary emissions estimation and reporting standards for the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

The standards are intended to improve the consistency of calculating and accounting for emissions on agricultural land.

The federal government has appointed David Shankey, a former deputy director-general at Queensland's Department of Energy and Public Works, as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Net Zero Economy Authority.

The Net Zero Economy Authority will ensure Australian workers, industries and communities share the benefits of the net zero transition.

The NSW Net Zero Commission's first annual report has been tabled in state Parliament.

"The achievement of the emissions targets the Parliament of NSW has established for 2030, 2035 and 2050 are far from assured," the report says.

"Unless action is accelerated, NSW may not reach net zero by 2050 and we will fail to meet our nearer term targets. This will require ongoing cooperation from governments at all levels, along with businesses of all sizes, as they work together with households and the wider community."

The report says the Commission is concerned about the risks to the state's targets due increased emissions in the resources sector, due in large part to new coal mining projects.

The NSW government has granted planning consent for EnergyAustralia's $1 billion 500MW/2,000MWh Mt Piper battery energy storage system.

The project will create 177 jobs during construction, with developer EnergyAustralia to invest up to $2 million into the Lithgow City LGA through a Voluntary Planning Agreement.

Construction has started on a Synchronous Condenser (SynCon) in Ararat that will help to stabilise and balance the grid as more wind and solar energy from Western Victoria enter it.

Statutory development - managing coal plants in the National Electricity Market. In its role as lead legislator on matters relating to the National Electricity Market, the South Australian parliament has passed coal power plant "orderly exit" legislation.

The EPA has confirmed a detailed environmental assessment is required to determine the extent of the Western Green Energy Hub proposal's environmental impacts.

The hub proposal entails the construction and operation of 3,000 wind turbines, 35 solar farms, and a renewable hydrogen facility, about 440km east of Kalgoorlie.

The proponent’s referral states that about 95% of the proposed 22,690km² development envelope will remain undisturbed. 

The state government has introduced new support measures for lithium producers affected by a sudden and unexpected plunge in lithium prices. 

Fee waivers worth up to $90 million will be provided for up to two years two downstream processors, and two-year fee waivers, worth a total of $9.37 million, will be provided to lithium miners.

A $50 million loan facility will also be available to help lithium miners access temporary interest-free loans to help sustain their operations, based on demonstrating their current financial position and operational plan. 

WA's main electricity grid hit a new renewable energy record last month, with renewables peaking at 85.1% of energy on the South West Interconnected System on 17 November. 

The state government says it has more than doubled the renewables on the grid since 2017, from 14% in 2017 to more than 34% in 2023.

Issue 71, 25 November 2024

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has convened the fourth annual Investor Roundtable, with a focus on new industries and energy, as well as housing.

Chalmers said the government will establish an Investor Council to better coordinate investment in national priorities. The Council will work closely with entities including ARENA, the CEFC, the Future Fund, and the Net Zero Economy Agency.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced a new investment mandate for Australia's sovereign wealth fund, known as the Future Fund, and issued the fund with a Statement of Expectations.

"The independent Future Fund already plays a crucial role in our economy and the Government wants to make sure it can play an important role in the decades ahead," Chalmers said.

"The Fund's primary focus will remain on maximising its returns," he said. However, it will now also be required to consider Australia's national priorities - housing supply, the energy transition, and improved infrastructure.

The Fund's benchmark return rate will remain at between four and five per cent above CPI per annum over the long term, and there will be no change to its risk profile.

Statutory development - energy system governance. Assistant Climate Change Minister Josh Wilson has introduced the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Energy Regulator Separation) Bill 2024.

The Bill would separate the Australian Energy Regulator (the AER) from the ACCC, establishing the AER as a non-corporate Commonwealth entity with operational control of its staff, resources and governance arrangements.

The federal government has approved a new version of the ACCU Scheme environmental plantings method, just in time for proponents to use it this planting season.

Australian companies are increasingly linking executive remuneration to climate transition efforts, according to a new study from the Investor Group on Climate Change and climate and nature investment and advisory firm Pollination.   

However, many attempts to do so are ineffective because they aren't linked to a climate transition strategy, the study concludes.

The federal government will contribute $50 million to the international Loss and Damage Fund that was instigated two years ago at COP27.

The Fund will help developing countries to respond to extreme weather, focusing on both the economic and non-economic impacts of climate change.

Other Fund contributors include Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Australia, 24 other countries, and the EU launched a Call to Action at COP29 to end the construction of new coal power plants.

The signatories to the Call to Action announced their intention to put forward national climate plans that reflect no new unabated coal in their energy systems, and called on others to do the same. 

Statutory development - clean energy bonds. Nationals MP Sam Birrell has introduced the Requiring Energy Infrastructure Providers to Obtain Rehabilitation Bonds Bill 2024. The private member's Bill would require wind and solar project developers to obtain rehabilitation bonds.

"Regional communities are bearing the brunt of the renewable energy rollout, and certainty is needed for the end-of-life rehabilitation of onshore wind and solar farms," Birrell said.

Speaking at the G20 summit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen and his UK counterpart Ed Milliband would sign a Climate and Energy Partnership at COP29.

The PM also welcomed the launch of the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership. 

"Our new partnership will boost two way investment in renewable energy projects like solar PV manufacturing, battery and mineral processing, green hydrogen and green iron," Albanese said. 

"One of the key early projects under the partnership is the establishment next year of the India-Australia Rooftop Solar Academy," he said. "Australia will partner with India's Skill Council for Green Jobs and the private sector to train 2,000 young Indian technicians on solar PV."

A Senate committee inquiry into the Impact of Climate Risk on Insurance Premiums and Availability is due to report tomorrow.

Labor's Bill Shorten has described climate change as "unfinished business for the nation", in his valedictory speech to Parliament. 

"Climate change is not a Labor issue or a Liberal issue or a Greens party issue or a teal issue," Shorten said. "It's the world we live in, and it's the country we pass on to our grandchildren. It concerns every Australian."

The federal government's advisory scientific body on unconventional gas and large coal mines spent its most recent meeting discussing its draft advice on the potential impacts of unconventional gas exploration in the Beetaloo Basin.

The Clean Energy Council has released a report on emissions reductions in Australia attributable to the uptake of renewables.

Since 2015, 40GW of new rooftop solar and large-scale renewable energy capacity has been deployed across Australia, the report notes.

This has resulted in emissions being 30% lower today than they would have otherwise been without the renewable energy investment since 2015.

The federal Coalition has released a report by Frontier Economics titled Developing a base case to assess the relative costs of nuclear power in the NEM.

Edify Energy has lodged an EPBC referral for its proposed Pleystowe battery system, to be located near Mackay.

A Legislative Council committee has issued a report on the Planning system and the impact of climate change on the environment and communities. 

The report makes 18 recommendations, and urges amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, which currently doesn't mention climate change. 

Alternatively, it suggests the introduction of a state environmental planning policy to properly integrate climate change within the planning system.

The NSW Parliament's Research Service has released a report by Professor Penelope Crossley on Energy regulation in transition.

"Despite the significant changes associated with the energy transition, the cooperative energy laws that underpin the NEM have only been subject to piecemeal changes," the paper says. 

"This has resulted in a complex legal, institutional and governance structure that is increasingly unworkable and not fit for purpose."

"A reformed legal framework that integrates these principles would enable the electricity sector to remain efficient and reliable while meeting consumer and industry needs in the face of rapid transformation," it says.

A video presentation by Professor Crossley is here.

The NSW government has awarded more than $1 million in new grants to several NSW universities through its Electrification & Energy Systems Network Seed Grant Scheme. 

The grants of between $50,000 and $200,000 support early-stage projects that are working to resolve the technical, economic, social and environmental challenges of electrification technology.

Victoria's State Electricity Commission will invest $370 million to build a renewable energy park near Horsham, with its first stage comprising a 119MW solar farm and an associated battery system. 

The SEC will also set up a community benefits fund that will invest $42,000 a year back into the local area during the project's construction, and a further $70,000 every year once the project is operational.

The Renewable Energy Park will come online in 2027.

The South Australian government has secured an agreement with ATCO Australia to contract GE Vernova to supply gas turbines capable of running on 100% hydrogen, for the planned Whyalla hydrogen power plant.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku. Commissioning is expected in early 2026.

Premier Peter Malinauskas was in Baku for the COP, with the state government hoping that Adelaide will be the host city if COP31 is secured by Australia and Pacific neighbours.

The SA government has signed a letter of intent to support a feasibility study by energy company Zero Petroleum that will explore the development of a low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel production facility in Whyalla.

Zero Petroleum, a producer of synthetic fuel, is exploring the opportunity for a commercial-scale production plant - Plant Zero.SA - to be located in South Australia’s Upper Spencer Gulf.

Adelaide Airport and Qantas will also be involved in the feasibility study.

Statutory development and consultation opportunity - firming capacity. The South Australian government is consulting on a framework to ensure the state has sufficient long duration firm capacity.

Under the proposed framework, the state government will define a rolling five-year Firm Energy Target (FET).

To meet the FET, long duration firm capacity generators would annually
tender for contracts that underwrite a portion of their revenue through
a Firm Energy Reliability Mechanism (FERM). Comments are due by 20 December.

The WA government has released Western Australia's inaugural CCUS Action Plan, which aims to develop "a world leading CCUS industry" in the state.

"Although the gas sector is likely to be the main driver of CCUS in Western Australia in the short to medium term, in the long term, modelling indicates that the dominant use of the technology will be in other sectors," it says. 

"CCUS will particularly have a role in other emissions-intensive, hard-to-abate industrial sectors, such as fertilisers, other chemicals, cement and lime, and iron and steel, as well as in low-carbon industries, such as hydrogen, ammonia, and synthetic fuel."

The state government has also announced $26 million in funding for two CCUS projects.

A $15 million grant will support the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group to develop an onshore transmission pipeline for an offshore multi-user CCS hub in the Pilbara. 

"The project will help transport CO2 from facilities on the Burrup into depleted gas fields, sequestering up to five million tonnes of carbon dioxide in its first phases," the state government said. 

Another $11 million grant will support Mitsui E&P Australia and Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers to develop the Cygnus CCS hub in the Mid West. The hub will initially store around 530 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide annually from the Waitsia Gas Plant and the Wesfarmers CSBP ammonia plant in Kwinana.

Meanwhile, the WA government is also offering $4 million under the second roundof its Carbon Innovation Grants Program, which aims to build the capacity of heavy industry to transition to net zero emissions by 2050. Applications close on 28 February.

Issue 70, 18 November 2024

The Capacity Investment Scheme Tender 3 is now open. Tender 3 aims to provide revenue underwriting for 4GW of 4-hour equivalent dispatchable capacity in the National Electricity Market.

Projects with a minimum storage duration of two hours and a minimum size of 30 MW are expected to be eligible.

The federal government's independent Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) is reviewing the ACCU Scheme's the Alternative Waste Treatment method for earning carbon credits.

The existing method encompasses the processing of waste by enclosed composting, anaerobic digestion, or the manufacture of process engineered fuel. Projects under the method have generated around 4.9 million ACCUs to date.

The existing version of the method, which reduces emissions by processing waste that would have gone to landfill, is due to expire on 31 March next year. Comments to ERAC are due by 2 December. 

Meanwhile, ERAC is also seeking feedback by 26 November on a proposed variation to the wastewater ACCU method, which would extend the crediting period for non-biomethane projects from 7 years to 12 years.

The wastewater method focuses on capturing methane from treatment ponds.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has published the findings of its second climate risk survey of banks, insurers and super funds.

The survey found that, on average, larger entities have continued to improve their climate risk maturity, but broad variations remain.

The federal government is guaranteeing up to US$200 million (about A$300 million) worth of Asian Development Bank climate change lending, through the ADB's Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia and the Pacific.

Other countries supporting IF-CAP include the US, the UK, and Japan.

IF-CAP will ultimately support the ADB to deliver up to US$11 billion in climate-related loans, and boost private sector capital mobilisation.

Meanwhile, the federal government has also announced an additional $125 million investment in Pacific renewable energy projects.

The funding comprises a $75 million investment through the REnew Pacific program and $50 million through the Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition (APPET) program.

ARENA has announced a $1.7 million grant to support UNSW's $4.3 million Project CICCADA, which aims to better understand the integration of consumer energy resources (CER) into the National Energy Market. 

The project will analyse large real-world datasets from CER such as rooftop solar, household batteries and electric vehicles to help better understand integration challenges.  

Over 1,400 MW of new large-scale renewable energy generation projects, worth $3.3 billion in new investment, were committed in the third quarter of 2024, according to the Clean Energy Council’s latest Quarterly Renewables Report.

Meanwhile, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has said the nation is on track for a near record of 3.15GW of rooftop solar capacity to be added this year.

In early November, the Australian carbon market saw its second-highest weekly traded volumes on record, according to carbon and energy analyst Reputex. 

As a result, generic ACCU prices rose above $40 for the first time in more than two years. Much of the activity is driven by demand from entities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism.

Statutory development - energy storage. The NSW Parliament has passed the Energy Amendment (Long Duration Storage and Investment) Bill 2024, which establish a new long-duration storage infrastructure objective of an additional 12GWh by 2034.

This is in addition to an existing objective of constructing a minimum of 16GWh of long-duration storage by 2030.

The NSW government has issued updated planning guidelines for renewable energy projects. Further details are available here. 

Key changes include:
• a revision of setbacks for wind turbines.
• a revision of visual magnitude thresholds and viewpoint sensitivity levels to be consistent between development types.
• a requirement that proponents of transmission projects consider viable project options (including undergrounding) in their scoping report.
• the addition of a benefit-sharing rate for battery energy storage systems and guidance on how benefit-sharing rates should be distributed to communities.
• simplification of the private agreement guideline.

Some parts of the framework will apply immediately, while others are subject to transitional arrangements. The Clean Energy Council welcomed the updated guidelines.

The $4.8 billion HumeLink transmission project has been approved by the NSW government, and will now proceed to the Commonwealth Government for final approval.

The project will provide a 365km renewable energy infrastructure spine across southern NSW, connecting energy infrastructure including Snowy 2.0. 

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved TotalEnergies' proposed 320MW Middlebrook solar farm and associated battery, which will be located approximately 22 km south of Tamworth.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition the EIS for Lightsource bp's proposed 400MW Gundary solar farm, which would be located in the Southern Tablelands.

It has also placed on exhibition the EIS for the proposed 74MW/148MWh Hume North battery energy storage system, which would be located near Albury.

In addition, it has placed on exhibition the EIS for ACEnergy's proposed 250MW/1,100MWh Yanco battery energy storage system, which would be located near Leeton.

The Victorian government is providing grants to four manufacturers through the Made in Victoria – Energy Technologies Manufacturing Program.

The four businesses will share funding of more than $1 million.

Statutory development - orderly exit of coal legislation. As lead legislator for National Electricity Market legislation, the South Australian government has introduced a National Electricity (South Australia) (Orderly Exit Management Framework) Amendment Bill 2024.

Introduction of the Bill follows a September meeting of national, state and territory energy ministers that approved the legislation.

The Bill establishes a process that enables jurisdictions to:

• Firstly, identify whether the early retirement of a thermal generator creates system reliability or security risks. 
• Secondly, investigate alternatives to replace the outgoing capacity, undertake voluntary negotiations with the generator.
• Thirdly, as a last resort, direct the generator to continue to operate until the risk of its retirement is managed. 

The NT Department of Mining and Energy is seeking feedback on the proposed development of the Darwin Renewable Energy Hub, including input on the preferred site location.

The hub, proposed for a site 30 kilometres from Darwin, would comprise six large-scale solar farms with a generation capacity of up to 210MW. Comments are due by 28 February.

Issue 69, 11 November 2024

"If you want to talk about what will drive up the cost of electricity, it's nuclear," Climate Change Authority Chair Matt Kean has told Senate Estimates. 

"Nuclear will drive up the cost of electricity for millions of families and businesses across the country," Kean said, in his first appearance before federal Estimates. 

"The CSIRO GenCost report, AEMO, the Australian Energy Regulator —all of these bodies have very clearly said that nuclear is the most expensive form of electricity," he said. 

"There is no bigger rent-seeking parasite than the nuclear industry," he told Estimates.

"I know you're trying to get your grabs up on Sky at the moment," Kean added when Nationals Senator Ross Cadell spoke about nuclear energy cost modelling.

The Clean Energy Regulator has released a recording of a Sydney forum on the Safeguard Mechanism.

The Investor Group on Climate Change has released a guide on Investor Expectations for Corporate Just Transition Planning, as well as a research report on Activating Private Investment in Adaptation that was co-written with ERM Energetics.

The adaptation research paper says the National Adaptation Plan should be legislated and on par with the Net Zero Australia plan.

The paper recommends that the mandates of all specialist investment vehicles, including the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, Regional Investment Corporation, Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and ARENA, should expressly include adaptation and resilience.

Assistant Climate Change and Energy Minister Josh Wilson will lead Australia's COP29 delegation in the first week of the talks. Minister Bowen will lead the delegation in the second week.

"A COP with a less than ideal outcome is not a good thing," Minister Bowen told the IGCC conference last week. "So we will be arguing for strong language on ambition."  

ARENA has announced that an additional $100 million in funding will be available under the Driving the Nation program to support transitioning heavy vehicles to electric.

ARENA is separately providing $28.6 million in funding to two projects with $19.6 million committed to Linfox and $9 million to Toll.

Linfox will deploy 26 battery electric trucks and charging infrastructure across three distribution centres in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

Toll will roll out 28 battery electric trucks and required infrastructure at 10 customer and Toll-owned sites across Australia.

A CSIRO-developed technology to increase oil yield from plants, which will help advance the production and use of biofuels such as sustainable aviation fuel, has been acquired by ASX-listed Nufarm.  

The Biomass Oil Project aims to extend commercial oil production from just the seeds and fruits of plants, to encompass leaves and stems.   

"We were inspired to develop this technology in response to the world’s need for increased production of plant oil without impacting on food security," said CSIRO's Dr Thomas Dr Vanhercke. 

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has issued charter letters to each of his ministers.

• Jarrod Bleijie, Minister for State, Development Infrastructure and Planning, is instructed to "amend laws to ensure renewable energy projects are impact assessable with approval processes consistent with other land uses like mining and agriculture". 
  
  He must also explore opportunities for new industries across Queensland. 
• David Janetzki, Minister for Energy, must facilitate private sector investment in new energy infrastructure while maintaining public ownership of existing assets. 
  
  He must "prioritise the delivery of an energy system that is affordable, reliable and sustainable" and "progress early work on the Borumba Pumped Hydro project".
  
  Janetzki must also investigate other smaller pumped hydro schemes, and must work with industry to progress a code of conduct for renewable energy proponents.
  
  In addition, he must work to progress transmission infrastructure, like Copperstring.
  
  Janetzki, who is also Treasurer, must also create an Office of Social Impact and work with impact investors, philanthropists, corporates and others to co-design a roadmap for social enterprise and impact investing.

The new Queensland government has released a report prepared by Queensland Hydro for the former government on the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project that it had proposed for a site near Mackay.

The new government, which is not proceeding with the project, said in its media release that the report demonstrates the project was neither financially viable, nor environmentally appropriate. 

The report says the project would add between $14,479 million and $16,598 million to the Mackay region's gross regional product, between 2024 and 2054.

It also says the project was in the public interest and there were no impediments to its development.

The report says local opposition to the project "is not unified and centres on concerns for displaced landholders and changes to the area’s natural values. Many local and regional businesses are positive and seeking economic benefits."

Coexistence Queensland has released a Landholder guide: Negotiating onshore gas activity.

The guide provides landholders with practical information and tips for negotiating land access agreements with gas companies.

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has granted planning approval to Canadian Solar's 250MW Gunning solar farm, and an associated 150 MW/ 600MWh battery.

The Victorian government has released a Zero Emission Bus Plan to guide the shift from a diesel bus fleet to zero emissions buses. 

From mid-2025, new buses ordered for the public fleet will be required to be zero emission – with almost 690 zero emissions buses so far funded through the state government's $20 million ZEB trial and current contracts with bus operators. 

Issue 68, 4 November 2024

The Carbon Leakage Review second consultation paper is now available. 

The paper concludes that a "border carbon adjustment" applied to imports of some commodities could be appropriate. This would be broadly similar to the EU CBAM.

The policy would mean that imports of specified commodities would be liable to pay a border carbon adjustment if they have a higher emissions intensity than the relevant Australian Safeguard baseline for that commodity. 

"Cement and clinker would be suitable for initial consideration for a border carbon adjustment," the paper says. 

Lime would also be suitable for early consideration. Ammonia and derivatives, and steel, as well as glass, could be candidates for a border carbon adjustment later.

For domestic producers of commodities benefitting from a border carbon adjustment, the paper suggests it might be appropriate to reduce the Safeguard Mechanism threshold for domestic coverage from 100,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, to a level that covers all domestic production. 

The federal government has agreed to prioritise the development of four new methods for earning credits under the ACCU scheme. 

Two of the methods were proposed by Indigenous groups, and the other two were proposed by state governments. 

The four proponents will each lead work on the drafting of their respective proposed methods. 

The Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation said the two methods proposed by state governments had the potential to sequester up to 3.7 million tonnes of CO2 annually. 

Meanwhile, the government has also committed to finalising an updated version of the ACCU environmental plantings method before the end of the year, and will release an exposure draft of an integrated farm and land management method in the first half of next year. 

The contribution of renewables to the National Electricity Market reached a new milestone during the September quarter, according to AEMO's latest  Quarterly Energy Dynamics report.

At the end of Q3 2024, 45.6GW of new capacity were progressing through the connection process from application to commissioning, a 36% increase compared to the same time last year.

This capacity included 14.6GW of battery projects, representing an 87% increase on the same time last year.

The third quarter of 2024 also saw a new peak renewable contribution record set on 9 September, when renewable sources supplied 72.2% of total NEM generation. 

The federal and NSW governments are jointly investing more than $60 million over five years to establish the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at TAFE NSW's Newcastle campus. 

ARENA has provided $17.2 million to Mars pet food for a demonstration project of using concentrated solar thermal technology to provide process heat. 

The $39.3 million project is set to be the first deployment of parabolic trough concentrated solar thermal technology in Australia, and will be the sixth largest deployment of solar heat for an industrial process, globally.

Meanwhile, ARENA has also committed almost $4 million to Australian technology company AnteoTech Ltd to commercialise its new lithium-ion battery anode technology.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has released its latest annual report. 

"Since we began investing, $4 billion of CEFC capital has backed 7.6 GW in large-scale new renewable generation capacity and energy storage," says an introduction by CEFC chief executive Ian Learmonth. 

"We have supported $2.3 billion in discounted finance for more than 70,000 smaller-scale clean energy projects, and our natural capital portfolio, already at $400 million, is underpinning a sustainable future for our agriculture sector."

The Clean Energy Regulator has released its latest annual report. 

CSIRO and BOM have released the 2024 State of the climate report, which confirms Australia's weather and climate has continued to change, with an increase in extreme heat events, longer fire seasons, more intense heavy rainfall, and sea level rise.  

Meanwhile, CSIRO has opened a $6.8 million facility in Victoria, which prints flexible solar cells on thin plastic films.  

The technology is lightweight, portable, and suitable for various applications including urban construction, space, defence, mining, emergency management, disaster relief, and wearables. 

A Senate select committee on energy planning and regulation last week held three public hearings. 

Australia will host a major global conference on carbon capture use and storage in 2026.

The conference, run by the International Energy Agency, will be co-hosted in Perth by the CSIRO, CO2CRC and DCCEEW, as well as the industry association representing the upstream oil and gas industry.

Consultancy EY's Net Zero Centre has released a new report on the voluntary carbon market. The global report estimates credit prices will rise to US$75-125 per tonne by 2035 across Paris-consistent scenarios. While prices will vary across market segments, it projects that 30% to 50% of credits will cost more than US$50 per tonne by 2035 in these scenarios.

"Advanced economies and high-capacity companies must not only meet but sustain deeply net-negative CO2 emissions," the report says. 

The Centre's analysis finds that using high integrity credits in combination with ambitious internal abatement lowers decarbonisation costs by 45% to 65% in Paris-consistent scenarios, compared to relying only on internal abatement measures.

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved Squadron Energy's proposed $2 billion Spicers Creek wind farm, to be located in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone near Gulgong.

The project will comprise a 700MW wind farm and associated 400MW/1,800MWh battery energy storage system.

Statutory development - gas. The Victorian Parliament has passed the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill, which allows holders of a petroleum production licence to temporarily store fossil gas in offshore natural reservoirs for later recovery and use.

The Victorian government has released the latest annual Victorian Renewable Energy Target progress report, which shows that 13 large scale renewable energy generation projects with a combined capacity of 2,199MW were under construction or undergoing commissioning as at 30 June 2024.

A total of 557MW of energy storage capacity and 12 utility-scale storage projects with a combined capacity of 1,115MW were under construction or undergoing commissioning, as at 30 June 2024, the report says.

Victorian households and businesses installed 630MW of rooftop capacity in FY24.

The Victorian government has announced that households can receive up to $140 off the cost of a new induction cooktop, if they will replace a gas cooktop. 

The Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme discounts will be available through VEU accredited providers, or through participating retailers.

The WA government has released an updated Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, with a major focus on green products and value-adding. 

Issue 67, 28 October 2024

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has announced the next round of auctions under the Capacity Investment Scheme will be significantly expanded. 

"We originally planned that the next two tender rounds would call for 2GW of dispatchable renewable power and 4GW of renewable energy generation," the Minister told an AFR Summit.

"I’m announcing today that this auction will now be for 4GW of dispatchable power and 6GW of renewable generation," he said. 

Market briefs will be released shortly and the tender process will open in mid-November.

NGER emissions and energy reports for FY24 must be submitted to the Clean Energy Regulator by this Thursday. 

The federal government has made public CLARA Energy's EPBC referral for the project Rosedale hydrogen facility, which would be built near Wagga. 

It has also made public the referral for Spark Renewables' Wattle Creek solar farm, which would be located on the NSW Southern Tablelands.

Meeting on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and UK PM Kier Starmer have agreed to negotiate an Australia–UK Climate and Energy Partnership.

The partnership will focus on the development and accelerated deployment of renewable energy technologies, and will also "build upon the two countries' long-standing cooperation on international climate action, including on renewable energy and climate finance".

Meanwhile, the two leaders also announced six grant recipients under the Australia-UK Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnership Program. 

The government-commissioned review of carbon leakage (which includes an assessment of the feasibility of an Australian Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), which was due to report in September, is yet to report. 

The federal government has appointed Arek Sinanian as a member of its advisory Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee.

A new guide titled Renewables that are good for nature, people and your businesshas been released by the Business Renewables Centre-Australia, ERM Energetics and WWF Australia.

Australia's infrastructure sector has released a new consultation paper titled Defining infrastructure net zero.

The consultation is being undertaken through a new Infrastructure Net Zero taskforce, which has members including the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, and the Green Building Council of Australia.

The paper notes that about 70% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are directly attributable to, or influenced by the infrastructure sector. 

The Future Fund is a top 10 shareholder in Woodside Energy, Santos and Whitehaven Coal, and has not supported any climate-related shareholder proposal at these three companies since 2021, says a new analysis by Market Forces.

The Clean Energy Council has announced the 10 recipients of the 2024 Chloe Munro Scholarship for Transformational Leadership. They will join the network of 36 women who have been awarded this scholarship since its first round in 2021. 

Defence, which is Australia's largest energy user, has released a Net zero strategy. The strategy notes that "climate change is a national security issue", and says Defence will aim to source 100% of its grid-provided electricity from renewables by 2030.

The LNP's victory in Saturday's Queensland election will put the state's renewable energy targets at risk, based on its approach to Labor climate legislation introduced earlier this year.

In April, the LNP supported Labor's Clean Economy Jobs Bill, which mandates an emissions reduction target of 75% on 2005 levels by 2035, and net-zero by 2050.

"Our decision to support the targets ... is significant and it has been carefully considered," Sam O'Connor, LNP environment spokesperson, told Parliament at the time.

But the LNP's attitude to the renewables Bill, which went through Parliament on the same day, was different, with the then Opposition party arguing that renewables targets should be reviewed every two years.

Even so, LNP energy spokesperson Deb Frecklington at the time acknowledged in Parliament the importance of Queensland's active involvement in the energy transition.

"We do not want to miss the once-in-a-generation chance to create new careers and keep our brightest kids in the bush," she said. "We do not want those energy careers going across the border or to another country."

Notably, in October last year, the Queensland parliament did pass on a bipartisan basis, the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill, which expands the scope of legislation regulating the transport of petroleum and fossil gas to encompass hydrogen and other renewable gases. 

Statutory development - long duration storage. NSW Climate Change Minister Penny Sharpe has introduced the Energy Amendment (Long Duration Storage and Investment) Bill 2024. 

The Bill retains the minimum objective of 16GWh of long-duration storage to be constructed by 2030. It builds on this to establish a new long-duration storage infrastructure objective of an additional 12GWh by 2034.

"Currently the National Electricity Market has just over 3GW of utility-scale storage. The energy market operator's Integrated System Plan shows the national market will need at least 15GW of additional utility-scale storage by 2030," the Minister told the Legislative Council.

The NSW government is expanding the functions of the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW, empowering it to provide information and a dispute resolution service to landholders and community members affected by new renewable energy and transmission infrastructure.

The Victorian government is consulting on an application by AGL to access water for rehabilitation of its Loy Yang coal mine, when its Loy Yang A power station closes in 2035. 

AGL has applied for a new bulk entitlement to access up to 35.8 GL of water annually for the water-based rehabilitation of the Loy Yang mine, for a period of 30 years. 

This is slightly lower than the amount that AGL is currently entitled to take for cooling water for the Loy Lang A power station.

The government is also consulting on two related developments. One would amend AGL's existing Loy Yang A generation water entitlement to clarify when power generation stops. 

The other would allow Southern Rural Water (as the system manager) to plan for the resulting change in water system operations.

AGL will also seek to extend its separate entitlement to extract about 20GL of groundwater, so that the same amount can be used in mine rehabilitation. The company's groundwater licence will expire in September 2026.

Issue 66, 21 October 2024

Shadow climate minister Ted O'Brien has announced a Coalition government would amend the Capacity Investment Scheme so that it can support new gas projects.

The federal government has established a Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Estimation and Reporting Standards Reference Group, which will provide guidance and advice to support the development of standards for agriculture, and the incorporation of the standards into GHG calculators and accounting tools.

Members include representatives of various agricultural organisations and agencies, agriculture value chain businesses, and First Nations groups.

Consultation opportunity - energy efficiency. DCCEEW is inviting views on a Regulation Impact Statement on a proposal to impose stricter GEMS energy efficiency requirements on distribution transformers. 

Distribution transformers are components of the electricity grid. They typically lose less than 2% of the energy that passes through them, but as they are energised 24 hours a day, even small increases in efficiency result in large electricity savings.

The existing performance requirements for distribution transformers have not been revised since 2004. Comments are due by 6 December. 

The federal government will provide $5 million to Australian Strategic Materials Limited (ASM), to cover half the cost of a study that will investigate more efficient ways of refining rare earths. 

The new $5 million grant to help develop ASM's proposed rare earths project in Dubbo is on top of a $6.5m grant provided to ASM last year through the Critical Minerals Development Program. 

ASM has also received a non-binding Letter of Interest from the US Export-Import Bank for up to US$600 million, and Export Finance Australia has previously provided a letter of support for $200 million in debt funding. 

The Dubbo project will produce critical minerals such as zirconium, niobium and hafnium, as well as a number of rare earth elements. 

Consultation opportunity - the National Electricity Law. DCCEEW has released a consultation paper on a proposal to the National Electricity Law to better enable the Australian Energy Market Operator to support administration of the tenders for the Capacity Investment Scheme.

Initial submissions are now available to a Senate select committee inquiry into energy planning:

• Professor Bruce Mountain says there is no need for an Integrated System Plan, criticises the Australian Energy Market Operator, and says transmission planning should be an issue for the states. 
• The Australian Energy Council says AEMO should include in its ISP modelling a scenario "of what it thinks is likely", which would be a baseline that other scenarios can be compared with.

The federal government has announced 13 new carbon farming capacity-building grants.

The GEMS energy standards and labelling scheme is conducting a stakeholder satisfaction survey.

Transcript is now available from a recent hearing of a Senate select committee inquiry into the impact of climate risk on insurance premiums.

Satellite observations of methane emissions from 20 Australian methane hotspots suggests their emissions may be around double what they are currently reporting through NGER. 

The data has prompted the Superpower Institute to call for an urgent overhaul of how methane is reported and accounted for in Australia.

The NSW government will defer royalties up to $250 million to improve cashflow and investment feasibility for new critical minerals projects.

The royalties deferral scheme is one of several measures outlined in a new NSW critical minerals and high-tech metals strategy.

Statutory development - long-duration storage. The NSW government has pledged to legislate a new minimum objective for the construction of 28 GWh of long-duration storage by 2034.

The pledge, which builds on an existing objective of 2GW/16GWh long-duration storage by 2030, is made in a new Long Duration Storage Review: Position Paper.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition Winterbourne Wind's proposal for a 700MW wind farm near Walcha.

Detailed maps are now available showing the 19 highway upgrades that will improve connections between the Port of Newcastle and the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

ARENA is providing a total of $5.4 million for a project that will electrify 500 north Illawarra households. Brighte will be the project lead, with Rewiring Australia as the research partner, and Endeavour Energy as the network partner. 

By 2035, Victoria is forecast to need 25GW of new renewable energy and storage capacity, says a new SEC Infrastructure annual report.

"By partnering with industry, we expect to contribute around 4.5GW of new capacity, which is approximately 20% of the total new generation and storage capacity Victoria is expected to require by 2035," it says. 

"This includes distributed solar and batteries as well as all committed, and future utility-scale projects.

The Victorian government has launched a Carbon farming outreach program, which will deliver more than 130 training events over two years.

The training will be delivered by Agriculture Victoria, Victoria's Catchment Management Authorities, Melbourne Water, and Landcare Victoria.

The Victorian government has gazetted the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Amendment (Induction Cooktops and Co-payments) Regulations 2024, which allow the VEU energy efficiency scheme to support the installation of induction cooktops.

Statutory development - emissions and renewables targets. The Legislative Assembly has passed the Greenhouse Emissions Reduction (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill.

The Bill is now before the Legislative Council. 

Neoen has made an EPBC referral for its Goyder North (SA) renewable energy stage 1 project. The project would comprise a 600MW wind farm and a 225MW/900MWh Battery Energy Storage System.

A revised WA government greenhouse gas policy for major projects will result in the emissions from these projects only being regulated through the federal Safeguard Mechanism.

State ministerial statements that specify approval conditions for existing major projects will be amended to ensure they also only have their greenhouse gas emissions regulated through the Safeguard Mechanism.

The state government has released an accompanying information sheet on the changes.

Issue 65, 14 October 2024

The federal government has instigated a House select committee inquiry into nuclear energy, which will report no later than 30 April next year. The inquiry will consider matters including deployment timeframes and costs. 

Shadow climate change minister Ted O'Brien has unsuccessfully sought to have the government's Guarantee of Origin bills referred to the House economics committee. 

O'Brien later told the House that the bills risk "being a Trojan horse for a broader economy-wide carbon price", and show "a clear bias" against hydro in favour of wind and solar. 

Consultation opportunity - carbon market infrastructure. The Clean Energy Regulator is seeking feedback on its proposed exchange trading model for ACCUs, and its proposed new units and certificates registry. 

The Regulator is also seeking views on broader measures to facilitate liquid and transparent carbon markets. Comments are due by 22 November.

Virescent Ventures, which was spun out of the CEFC in 2022, has announced the $100 million first close of its new climate technology fund (Fund II). 

The CEFC is a cornerstone investor in Fund II, and Virescent Ventures manages a portfolio of CEFC investments in specialist early-stage climate tech on the CEFC's behalf.

Grant opportunity - long-rotation plantations. The federal government is inviting applications for grants under the third round of a $74 million program to support the establishment of new long-rotation softwood and hardwood plantations.

The government will provide up to $2,000 per hectare of new long-rotation plantation forest established. Applications close on 5 November next year. 

Leading Pacific Islands researcher, Salā Dr George Carter, has been appointed to the scientific council that will advise the COP29 Presidency in Azerbaijan.

Dr Carter's appointment "signals the rising prominence of Pacific voices in the global climate discourse, particularly in advocating for small island states most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change", said an Australian National University statement.

VicGrid has made an EPBC referral for the 2GW Gippsland offshore wind transmission project. 

The project encompasses the construction of an overhead transmission line from an onshore connection hub to a proposed grid connection substation near the Loy Yang Power Station, in the Latrobe Valley.

A House of Representatives inquiry into electric vehicles held a hearing on Friday and will hold another this Thursday. 

The federal government has granted EPBC approval to Lightsource BP's proposed 450MW Goulburn River solar farm and battery system near Merriwa, in NSW's Central-West Orana REZ.

Meanwhile, Vena Energy Services has withdrawn its referral for surveys for the 2GW Blue Marlin offshore wind project, off Victoria's Gippsland coast. 

The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity has released a recording of a recent webinar for businesses on maximising the return on investment from batteries and solar.

WWF Australia has released a Blueprint for Australian oceans leadership.

The NSW government has released updated projections of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over coming years.

The projections are based on two abatement scenarios - one in which programs provide the abatement they are designed to deliver, and another based on the abatement they are currently tracking to deliver.

Under the scenario in which policies deliver the abatement they were designed to deliver, NSW remains on track to achieve its targets, reaching 50% below 2005 levels in 2030 and 70% below 2005 levels in 2035. 

But the more cautious "currently tracking" scenario "indicates more work may be needed", according to the projections. 

"Accounting for abatement uncertainty, NSW is projected to be 44% to 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 and 65% to 70% by 2035," according to the projections.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition a proposal by Edify for the 100MW Burroway solar farm and energy storage system, which would be located near Narromine and Dubbo in the Central-West and Orana renewable energy zone. 

In what the NSW government terms a "first-of-its-kind initiative", seven landholders from the Murray-Riverina are now protecting, enhancing and extending patches of important native vegetation while generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) with restorative plantings.

Between them, the landholders are permanently 788 hectares of threatened native habitat under conservation agreements with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust.

An additional 141 hectares has been registered with the Clean Energy Regulator to restore, connect and extend habitat through environmental plantings projects under the ACCU scheme.

The state government has signalled it will introduce legislation to extend its Victorian Energy Upgrades program, which supports household and business energy efficiency initiatives.

Currently, the scheme is due to expire in 2030, but the proposed Bill will extend it, as the state aims for net zero by 2045. The government recently initiated a two-year review of the VEU program. 

Stage one of what will be the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere has begun feeding into Victoria's electricity grid.

Once both stages are fully operational, TagEnergy's Golden Plains wind farm near Geelong will have a capacity of 1.3GW, supported by a 300MW battery.

As the 756MW stage one of the project starts generating power, Ikea has announced it has taken a 15% stake in the project's 577MW stage two, through its Ingka investment arm. 

Ikea already has a 15% stake in the 756MW stage one of the project. 

Last month, EnergyAustralia entered into a landmark 10-year renewable Power Purchase Agreement with TagEnergy to offtake 40% of Stage two's capacity.

Issue 64, 7 October 2024

Minister Chris Bowen and US Secretary for Energy Jennifer Granholm have met on the sidelines of a G20 energy meeting in Brazil.

The two ministers announced that Australia would become an international collaborator of the U.S DOE's Long Duration Storage Shot, which aims to reduce the cost of grid-scale energy storage by 90% by 2030, for systems that deliver 10+ hours of duration.

The ministers also committed to signing an MOU between the US Department of Energy and ARENA before the end of the year. In addition, they will this month hold an inaugural Dialogue on Engaging Tribal and First Nations Peoples in the Energy Transition.

APRA will later this year release an update on the methodology it is using for its insurance climate vulnerability assessment, a Senate committee inquiry into climate change and insurance premiums has heard.

APRA's assessment aims to gauge the potential impact of climate change on household insurance affordability in the decades out to 2050, and the results will be published in the first half of 2025. 

Engineers Australia, through Engineering Education Australia (EEA) and Deakin University, will launch a suite of hydrogen energy micro-credential training coursesto upskill the engineering workforce. 

Training courses cover hydrogen handling, hydrogen fuel cell operation, safety and maintenance, hydrogen electrolyses, and hydrogen in the built environment. 

The Australian National Audit Office has released an Emissions Reduction Plan describing the actions it is taking to reduce operational emissions and contribute to the APS Net Zero 2030 target.

The plan notes that ANAO plans to participate in a whole of Australian Government renewable electricity purchasing arrangement currently being established by the Department of Finance.

New Queensland government agency annual reports include CleanCo's FY24 annual report, which notes it signed renewable energy agreements with new customers including North Queensland Airports, BHP, Mitsubishi Alliance, Aurora Group, and Vinidex.

The total capacity of its renewables PPAs has reached 1,071MW, of which 631MW is now in service. 

CleanCo's integrated portfolio, including owned assets and projects where it has offtake agreements, generated 3,065GWh of clean energy in FY24, an increase of 652GWh compared with FY23. Its owned assets generated 1,959GWh. 

Meanwhile, the annual report of the Department of Energy and Climate shows that renewable energy as a percentage of total energy consumed in Queensland has grown from just 7% in FY17 to 28.2% in FY24.

The federal government has decided that that the X-Elio's proposed 420MW Sixteen Mile solar farm near Chinchilla (Qld) does not need EPBC approval. The project will also comprise 120MW/240MW of storage.

RES Australia has withdrawn its EPBC referral for the proposed 476MW Barneys Reef wind farm near Gulgong (NSW), within the Central-West Orana REZ. 

The NSW government has placed on exhibition Yancoal's proposal for a $1.8 billion renewable energy hub, comprising a major pumped hydro project and a 320MW solar farm on the site of its Stratford open-cut coal mining complex.

Mining operations at the site are due to conclude by the end of the year.

Renewable energy developer BrightNight has received Victorian government approval to start construction on the $700 million Mortlake Energy Hub in the state's southwest.

The project will combine a 360MW solar farm with a 300MW battery. It was approved under the state's fast-track Development Facilitation Program.

A major expansion of Gippsland Water's composting facility will increase the plant's capacity to process organic waste by 70,000 tonnes to 250,000 tonnes.

The $12.2 million upgrade of the facility is being funded by a combined $4.8 million from Sustainability Victoria’s Circular Economy Organics Sector Transformation Fund and the federal Food Waste for Healthy Soils Fund. 

The Victorian government has issued a declaration for the 2GW Gippsland offshore wind transmission project, which describes procedures and requirements for the project Environment Effects Statement.

The declaration applies to the construction of an overhead transmission line from the proposed onshore connection hub to the proposed grid connection
substation near the Loy Yang Power Station, in the Latrobe Valley.

It also encompasses the onshore connection hub and the Loy Yang grid connection substation.

With Solar Victoria funding, the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre is offeringonline and in-person training for plumbers and fourth-year apprentices on new building efficiency standards, and designing and installing hot water system heat pumps.

The City of Hobart has released a new Climate ready Hobart strategy.

Issue 63, 30 September 2024

The federal government has appointed National Farmers Federation chief executive Tony Mahar as Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner. 

The Commissioner's office facilitates the resolution of complaints about large-scale renewable energy infrastructure, and promotes best practice planning and development. 

Mahar joined the NFF in 2013 and became its CEO in 2016.

The federal and Queensland governments will contribute $14 million towards a proposed $36.8 million facility in Townsville capable of annually producing 110 megalitres of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. 

The federal government will provide $9 million through ARENA, and the Queensland government will contribute $5 million to establish feedstock supply chains. 

Jet Zero Australia has formed a consortium of partners to support delivery of the project, with the technology to be supplied by LanzaJet, and Qantas, Airbus and Idemitsu Kosan being among the key investors.

The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) has approved the mandatory Standard AASB S2 on climate-related disclosures. 

The move follows the passage of federal legislation that will phase in a mandatory regime of climate-related disclosures.

The AASB has also approved the voluntary Standard AASB S1 on general requirements for disclosure of sustainability-related financial information.

Both AASB standards are very closely based on international IFRS standards.

ARENA has released its latest General Funding Strategy, which guides how the agency provides financial assistance in accordance with its statutory requirements.

Submissions have now been made public to a Senate committee inquiry into offshore wind consultation processes.

Pacific Green Energy Park Portland Pty Ltd has made an EPBC referral for the construction and operation of a massive 1GW/2.5GWh battery energy system near Portland, in western Victoria. 

Pacific Green's Portland Energy Park - to be located near Alcoa's Portland aluminium smelter - will comprise four 250MW battery 'parks'. 

Meanwhile, Minister Chris Bowen has made a preliminary decision to grant a feasibility licence for the 1.2GW Spinifex wind farm, which would be located off the Victorian coast.

Proposed by Alinta Energy and Parkland, the wind farm would be located off the coast of Port Fairy, reasonably close to Alcoa's Portland aluminium smelter. 

If a feasibility licence is granted, the proponents would need to undertake consultation, conduct detailed studies, and develop management plans.

Grant opportunity - energy supply chains. Applications for round one funding under the Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program will open in November, the federal government has announced. 

Grants are available for R&D projects and feasibility studies to develop more diverse supply chains for solar PV, hydrogen electrolysers, and batteries. 

Up to A$25 million will be available under the first round, with grants ranging from A$100,000 to A$2.5 million.

The Senate Select Committee on climate risk and insurance premiums has scheduled hearings for today and tomorrow.

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson is visiting Laos to represent Australia at the East Asia Summit's 18th Energy Ministers Meeting.

The Assistant Minister will use his visit "to strengthen ties with ASEAN partners and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the region’s energy transition, as well as the economic potential presented by the global transition to net zero".

Meanwhile, the Lao government, with support from the Australian government and the Global Green Growth Institute, has hosted a carbon markets forum to foster the country's participation in international carbon markets.

Engineers Australia has released a report titled Making a clean transition, that provides advice for engineers moving from fossil fuel industries to the renewables sector. 

Meanwhile, the Institute for Sustainable Futures and the Australian Energy Market Operator have released a report on Australian electricity workforce requirements out to 2050, based on the 2024 Integrated System Plan.

Grant opportunity - critical minerals exploration. The Queensland government is inviting applications by 11 December for critical minerals exploration grants of up to $250,000.

Renewable Energy Partners Pty Ltd has made an EPBC referral for the 900MW Proserpine wind farm, which would be located between Bowen and Mackay. The wind farm would be built in two stages.

A review of NSW's energy savings and peak demand reduction schemes, newly tabled in Parliament, says energy saved by the energy savings scheme (ESS) in 2022 equated to 4,016GWh of electricity and 217GWh of gas. 

"These energy savings reduced bills for households and businesses by an estimated $513 million, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 3.22 million tonnes," the IPART review says.

"Activities that have taken place before 2023 will deliver an estimated 18,928GWh of electricity savings and 928GWh of gas savings over the 10 years after 2022," the review adds. 

The peak demand reduction scheme created an estimated 4.77MW of peak reduction capacity for the summer of 2022–23, which is estimated to be available over the seven following summers. 

In conjunction with the Renewable Fuel Scheme, the three schemes are known as the Energy Security Safeguard schemes.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition an application by Snowy Hydro Ltd to initially use diesel instead of gas to fuel a new 750MW power station near Kurri Kurri. 

The power station will be commissioned late this year, but delays in construction mean the gas pipeline won't be ready until late next year.

The Victorian government has appointed a committee to advise on the Environment Effects Statement and public submissions on the Victorian aspects of the Marinus Link project.

The committee is part way through a 13-day hearing that will conclude in mid-October.

The Tasmanian government has announced that two projects will pilot its new, streamlined Renewable Energy Approvals Pathway (REAP). 

The two projects are the Equis 224MW Bell Bay wind farm and the Cellars Hill wind farm.

Countrywide Hydrogen will become the first recipient of support under the Tasmanian government's $8 million Green Hydrogen Price Reduction Scheme, following the execution of a funding agreement.

Countrywide Hydrogen, which is a subsidiary of ReNu Energy Ltd, will receive funding on a per kilogram basis of green hydrogen sold to end-users to cover the gap between the cost to produce the green hydrogen and what end-users are able to pay. 

The company has three renewable hydrogen projects under development in Tasmania, and two in Victoria. 

The Tasmanian government has released its inaugural annual Climate change activity statement.

Statutory development - emissions and renewables targets. The South Australian Opposition has signalled it will move amendments to a government Bill that would establish new emissions reduction and renewable energy targets.

The Opposition says it will seek the addition of a "residential power price guarantee target", which would legislate a target of reducing power prices for the average household by the end of 2027.

It also proposes the introduction of a similar small business power price guarantee target, and a grid reliability guarantee. 

The government described the proposed amendments as "meaningless and obstructive politicking".

Rio Tinto has lodged a works approval application for its $215 million BioIron pilot plant near the Kwinana industrial strip, which would produce up to one tonne of pig iron per hour.

BioIron uses raw biomass and microwave energy instead of coal to convert Pilbara iron ore to metallic iron. 

When combined with the use of renewable energy and carbon-circulation through the use of fast-growing biomass, BioIron has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 95%, compared with current blast furnace technology.

The pilot plant would operate for up to five years.

Issue 62, 23 September 2024

The Senate has established a Select Committee on Energy Planning and Regulation, to inquire into the regulation and operation of the Australian energy market.

The inquiry will examine the National Electricity Law, the National Gas Law, and the National Energy Retail Law, as well as the key institutions that administer and operate energy markets. 

Committee members include senators Karen Grogan (Labor), Matt Canavan (Nationals), Jonathon Duniam (Liberals), David Pocock (independent), and Larissa Waters (Greens). 

The committee is due to report on 20 December 2024.

Consultation opportunity - support for transformational investments. Treasury is inviting feedback by 4 October on a new "front door" for major, transformational investments, that could entail coordinated engagement with relevant agencies, and facilitating public financing.

Organisations appearing before last Friday's hearing of a Senate select committee inquiry into the impact of climate risk on insurance premiums included ASIC, APRA and the ACCC, as well as the Insurance Australia Group. Transcript is not yet available.

The committee has scheduled further hearings for 30 September and 1 October. 

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is providing finance totalling $120 million to facilitate the development of the Victorian component of the VNI West transmission link.

The project will help unlock some 3.4GW of additional renewable generation in Victoria and facilitate an estimated additional 1.9GW of transfer capacity between Victoria and NSW. It will also enhance the energy reliability of Victoria by enabling access to Snowy 2.0.

Meanwhile, the CEFC is also providing a $70 million loan to Flinders Port Holdings, marking its first direct finance in the maritime sector.

The CEFC capital will finance electrification initiatives across FPH’s seven South Australian ports.

ARENA has provided a $2.2 million grant to an alliance of three western Melbourne councils to support an $8.9 million project that aims to facilitate the electrification of their vehicle fleets, including waste and parks maintenance vehicles.

The Queensland government will provide an unspecified grant through its Low Emissions Investment Partnerships (LEIP) program to support a project that will capture methane from Kestrel Coal Resources' Kestrel underground metallurgical coal mine, which will be used to generate electricity.

The grant will help fund the construction of a 30MW power station, that will generate electricity from the methane. Kestrel, which is covered by the federal Safeguard Mechanism, earlier this year started mining in a part of its site which has significantly higher methane levels. 

The state government several weeks ago announced funding for a similar project at the South Walker Creek coal mine.

The Queensland government and the University of Queensland's Sustainable Minerals Institute have formed a Critical Minerals and Circular Economy Research Alliancethat will oversee an $8 million research program to help develop a critical minerals industry that encompasses a circular economy approach.

The federal and Queensland governments are funding the establishment of a TAFE Clean Energy (Batteries) Centre of Excellence that will operate state-wide under the auspices of TAFE Queensland SkillsTech. 

The NSW government has released a Consumer energy strategy that aims to maximise the benefits of the energy transition for households and small business. 

The strategy includes $290 million in new funding to be spent over four years.

Electric vehicle fires are relatively rare, and less common than internal combustion engine vehicle fires, according to a new report from the NSW Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on fire risks in EVs and personal mobility devices. 

"However, when EV battery-related fires do occur, they are severe and more difficult to extinguish," it says. 

"Batteries used in personal mobility devices present higher fire risks than batteries used in other electric vehicles," it adds.

The report recommends that the state government advocate for federal action to strengthen quality control measures for personal mobility devices.

The Victorian government has announced that Sharan Burrow and Cameron Garnsworthy will join the SEC's board of directors.

Burrow is a former general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation and a former president of the ACTU. Garnsworthy is the managing direct of SunCable Australia, and has previously served on the board of the Clean Energy Council.

The Western Australian government has updated its domestic gas policy, and will require new onshore gas projects to reserve 80% of their gas production for use in the state, up until 2030.

After that time, these projects will need to reserve 100% of production for domestic use.

The existing 15% reservation requirement for offshore LNG projects remains unchanged. A 15% reservation will also remain in place for the 'first-mover' in the Canning Basin, to encourage development in the state's north.  

The WA government has released a new Guide to future climate projections for water management in Western Australia. The guide is targeted at water planners, scientists and decision-makers.

Issue 61, 16 September 2024

Statutory development - Guarantee of Origin. The federal government has introduced a Bill to establish a Guarantee of Origin scheme that would track and verify the emissions of low-emissions products, such as hydrogen. 

The scheme will issue two types of digital certificates: Product GO certificates and Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates.

Statutory development - mandatory climate risk disclosure. The House of Representatives has agreed to Senate amendments to the Bill that introduces a mandatory regime of climate risk disclosure, which means the Bill has now passed both Houses of Parliament. 

Meanwhile, the Australian Accounting Standards Board will formally vote on related Sustainability Reporting Standards in the very near future. 

Statutory development - Net Zero Economy Authority. The House of Representatives has agreed to Senate amendments to the establishing legislationfor the Authority, which means the Bill has now passed both Houses of Parliament.

EPBC referrals made last week include:

• preliminary surveys for Iberdrola's proposed 3GW Aurora Green offshore wind farm, which would be located about 25 kilometres offshore from Gippsland in Victoria.
• marine surveys for Parkwind's proposed 1GW Blue Mackerel North wind farm, offshore from Gippsland.
• the proposed 330MW Meadow Creek solar farm near Wangaratta in Victoria.
• ZEN Energy's proposed 230MW Solar River project in South Australia. 

The federal government also allowed ACEN's 600MW Birriwa solar and battery project to proceed in NSW's Central-West Orana REZ, concluding that it did not require EPBC approval.

Consultation opportunity - Battery Breakthrough Initiative. ARENA has issued a consultation paper on the proposed $523.2 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative. The program will be capable of awarding grants or production incentive payments. Comments are due by 7 October.

An alliance of more than 50 organisations, called Renew Australia for All, has launched an energy bills savings plan at Parliament House in Canberra. 

The plan calls for a $5 billion investment to deliver immediate subsidies that reduce or eliminate the upfront cost of home energy upgrades. It also calls for at least $50 billion over 10 years to repower Australian homes and communities.

Alliance members include the Clean Energy Council, a range of environment groups and businesses, ACOSS, and the ACTU. 

The federal government has released a new National hydrogen strategy, that incorporates its proposed $2 per kilogram green hydrogen production tax incentive program and the expanded hydrogen headstart program.

The strategy has a 2050 "stretch target" of producing at least 15 million tonnes by 2050, and up to 30 million tonnes, supported by five-yearly milestones.

To achieve the base production target, around 3GW of electrolyser capacity could be needed by 2030, with this subsequently growing to 150GW by 2050. 

Approximately 1,200TWh of electricity could be required across the
economy for hydrogen production by 2050.

The strategy quotes a submission by the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia which states that prioritising the decarbonisation of ammonia is "a promising strategy", and should be part of a broader approach that also promotes hydrogen use in transport, energy, and steel production.

Meanwhile, Australia and Germany have signed what Minister Bowen has termed a declaration of intent to deepen cooperation on new green hydrogen supply chains through a co-funded $660 million (€400 million) H2Global funding window, which will form part of Germany's H2Global auction mechanism. 

The latest renewable projects quarterly report from the Clean Energy Council notes that the capacity of financially committed renewable electricity generation projects in 2024 (1.6 GW) has now surpassed the total for 2023 (1.3 GW).

Onshore wind increased, with another 577MW reaching financial commitment in the quarter, it says. This comes after no onshore wind projects reached financial commitment in 2023.

The report says a big acceleration in financial commitments will be required in the rest of this calendar year, in order to achieve an annual run rate of 6–7 GW per annum of financial commitments for large-scale generation, which is the rate required in order to be on track for 82% renewables by the end of 2030.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will this coming Saturday attend a meeting of Quad leaders in the US, hosted by President Joe Biden.

Climate change and clean energy will be among the issues discussed by leaders, along with security, health, and cybersecurity. 

ARENA is providing global fleet electrification specialist Zenobē with $8.5 million from its Driving the Nation Fund to develop a $19 million BEV truck charging hub in Sydney.

Zenobē, will own and operate the 22-charging station hub, which will service 60 electric trucks that will be leased by Woolworths.

It's the second ARENA lease for Zenobē, which received $5 million in 2021 to help develop a $37.2 million electric bus depot in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt.

The CEFC is lending US$7 million to Australian startup Siltrax to help it develop an innovative technology that makes lighter, more efficient fuel cells for use in power generation and heavy vehicles. 

The Siltrax technology has been developed by renowned solar entrepreneur Dr Zhengrong Shi and semiconductor expert Dr Jim Zhu.

Organisations including the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and Next Advisory appeared before a hearing last Friday conducted by a Senate inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles.

Interest in the first tender for South West Renewable Energy Zone (NSW) access rights has attracted around four times the indicative tender target, according to AEMO Services.

At the close of bids, AEMO Services had received bids for access rights to the South West REZ from projects representing more than 15GW of generation and storage infrastructure, against an indicative capacity of 3.98 GW.

The Independent Planning Commission last week approved two renewable energy projects - the $166 million, 100MW Wallaroo solar farm near Yass, and Engie's proposed $826.4 million, 372MW Hills of Gold wind farm near Tamworth. 

Meanwhile, the state government has placed on exhibition Terrain Solar's proposed 60MW Maison Dieu solar farm near Singleton. 

Statutory development - firm capacity. The NSW government has gazetted the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Firm Capacity) Regulation 2024.

The regulation deals with the calculation of firm capacity for the purposes of the state's energy security target. 

Grant opportunity - Indigenous carbon farming. The state government is investing $2.5 million to support Aboriginal organisations in establishing and managing carbon projects on their land.

The Carbon on Country initiative will support Indigenous communities in restoring Country and participating in the carbon market.

Eligible projects can register to earn carbon credits and apply for up to $250,000 in funding to cover up to 90% of their implementation costs. Expressions of interest must be submitted by 24 October.

The federal and ACT governments have signed a Renewable Energy Transformation Agreement (RETA) that commits them to work together in support of the national energy transformation. 

The agreement will:

• bolster work underway to electrify homes and businesses across the ACT. 
• support Australia’s 82% renewable electricity by 2030 target.
• improve community engagement.
• drive better social and economic outcomes.

The ACT government has released a report on the impacts of the introduction of a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard in April 2023 that will require the installation of ceiling insulation in rental properties. 

The report found that the Standard has not triggered rent increases, nor has it reduced the availability of rental properties.

Statutory development - gas restrictions. The Victorian government has introduced the Building Legislation Amendment and Other Matters Bill 2024. 

The Bill will establish regulation-making powers to implement key components of Victoria's Gas substitution roadmap, including bans on new connections to fossil gas.

"These regulation making powers will enable draft regulations and a regulatory impact statement to be released later this year ... on options for the electrification of Victorian buildings, including understanding how we can support Victorians to transition to electric appliances as older gas appliances reach their end of life," Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said when introducing the Bill. 

However, the draft regulations implementing new gas restrictions won't apply to agriculture, industrial buildings, and the use of liquefied petroleum gas, Minister Kilkenny said.

Gas cooktops in existing homes, as well as gas appliances in existing commercial buildings will also be excluded from any regulatory restrictions, the Minister said. 

The Bill does not enable regulations to be made that can prohibit the maintenance or repair of a reticulated gas appliance, the Minister added.

Statutory development - gas storage. The Victorian government has introduced the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill 2024, which would permit holders of a petroleum production licence to temporarily store fossil gas in offshore natural reservoirs for later recovery and use. 

The Victorian government has released a supplementary EES for the proposed Viva Energy gas terminal project, with comments due by 24 October. 

Meanwhile, the government has also invited comments on a licence application by Lochard Energy (Iona Operations) Pty Ltd to construct and operate a 5.3 kilometre pipeline near Timboon and Port Cambell in western Victoria to transport fossil gas or hydrogen, or a blend of the two. Comments are due by 16 October. 

The Victorian government has granted a planning permit for the $651 million, 450MW Hazelwood North solar farm.

The Victorian government has launched a Request for Information process on a Wind Worker Training Centre and Renewable Hydrogen Worker Training Centre.

The Victorian government is inviting survey responses in the first stage of the review of the Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme. Comments are due by 22 September. Further consultation will be undertaken in the first half of 2025.

NT First Minister Lia Finocchiaro has appointed Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maleyas Minister for Renewables, Mining and Energy, and Agriculture.

Minister Josh Burgoyne will hold the Lands, Planning and Environment portfolio, and will also be Minister for Water Resources.

Issue 60, 9 September 2024

The Climate Change Authority has released its review of potential technology transition and emissions pathways for six sectors – agriculture and land, built environment, electricity and energy, industry and waste, and transport and resources.

The report is backed by CSIRO modelling which focused on two main scenarios. One scenario is consistent with Australia's current emissions targets - a 43% reduction on the 2005 level by 2030 and net zero by 2050 - in a world tracking to temperature rise of less than 2°C. 

The other is consistent with greater ambition and limiting global warming to 1.5°C with no or limited overshoot, with Australia reaching net zero by 2040. 

In conjunction with releasing the review report, the Authority has releasedsubmissions to the review discussion paper. 

Six new projects have been successful under the Victorian-South Australian Capacity Investment Scheme tender round, and are expected to start operating by mid-2027.

The successful projects are:

• EnergyAustralia's 350MW/1400MWh Wooreen battery system in the Latrobe Valley.
• Progress Power's 115MW/230MWh Springvale Energy Hub battery system to be developed on the site of a former landfill in south-eastern Melbourne.
• Pacific Green Energy's 250MW battery system near Mount Gambier.
• Zen Energy's Solar River 170MW/653MWh battery, located north of Adelaide between Burra and Morgan.
• Pacific Blue's 60MW/143MWh Clements Gap battery, at the Clements Gap wind farm in South Australia's mid-north. 
• Energy Australia's 50MW/200MWh Hallett battery in Canownie, 210 km north of Adelaide.

A Senate committee inquiry into the Future Made in Australia Bill has issued its report, with crossbench senators making numerous recommendations. 

Both the Greens senators (nine recommendations) and Senator Pocock (also nine) recommend that it be made clear that the National Interest Framework won't be used to support fossil fuel industries. 

They also urge more support for the electrification of Australian households. 

Independent, former Liberal Senator David Van made seven recommendations. 

Coalition senators participating in the inquiry described the Bill as "highly flawed, incoherent and ineffective".

A Senate committee inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles has scheduled hearings for 13 September, 11 October and 17 October. 

The federal government has launched a new digital Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus, showcasing more than 55 investment-ready projects to potential investors and buyers from around the world.

The Climate Council has released a new report rating the clean energy performance of each jurisdiction.

The consortium behind the Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQ-H2) project, to be located near Gladstone, have lodged an EPBC referral for a 23-kilometre hydrogen transport pipeline. 

Referrals have already been made for other parts of the project - the hydrogen production and liquefaction facilities, an industrial water pipeline, and a jetty. 

Queensland’s $45 million Zero Emission Vehicle rebate scheme, which started in mid-2022, concluded last Monday.

The scheme initially offered means-tested rebates of $3,000, which were subsequently increased to $6,000. More than 10,000 Queensland individuals and businesses received rebates.

The ACT government has issued a Low carbon concrete policy, which commits it to using low carbon concrete in all future government construction projects, where appropriate.   

The policy will be implemented in a phased approach, with phase one commencing on 1 January next year. From this date, designers, engineers, and builders will be required to provide options for using low carbon concrete in government projects, including detailed specifications where applicable.

The Victorian government has awarded Victoria’s first zero emission bus contracts, intended to fast track the replacement of diesel buses with 600 new electric buses by 2035. 

The new contracts to provide electric bus services have been awarded to Dysons, CDC and Kinetic. 

The Victorian government is inviting survey responses in the first stage of the review of the Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme. Comments are due by 22 September. Further consultation will be undertaken in the first half of 2025.

The federal government has declared an area in the Indian Ocean off Bunbury, between Cape Naturaliste and Dawesville, as a renewable energy zone.

The South West Interconnected System is predicted to need 50GW more electricity by 2042, and the declared area could generate up to 11.4GW of wind energy.

The declared area covers about 4,000 square kilometres, which is about half the size of the originally proposed area, and is further offshore, being 30 kilometres offshore at its closest point.

Issue 59, 2 September 2024

At the instigation of the Senate, a Joint Select Committee will conduct a new inquiry into energy, food and water security in Northern Australia. The committee will present an interim report by 28 November, and a final report next May.  

A Senate committee inquiry into the Future Made in Australia Bill conducted hearings last Wednesday and Thursday, and is due to report this coming Friday. 

The ACCC has released a final determination authorising collaboration between renewable energy businesses to resolve overlapping geographic areas in their applications for feasibility licences under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 and the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Regulations 2022.

The application for authorisation was lodged by DCCEEW in March. The ACCC granted interim authorisation on 20 March 2024 for the Gippsland and Hunter declared offshore electricity generation regions.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has gazetted the NGER Legislation Amendment (Best Practice Emissions Intensities Update) Instrument 2024.

The instrument includes another tranche of international "best practice emissions intensities" that will be used to set Safeguard baselines for new facilities and facilities producing new products.

Minister Bowen last Thursday hosted China's Minister for Ecology and Environment, Huang Runqiu, for the 8^th Australia-China Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change. Minister Huang Runqiu also met with Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek.

The federal government has released its response to the recommendations in the Climate Change Authority's 2023 review of the NGER scheme, and has accepted nearly all of them. 

The government has agreed in principle to undertake a study of using the NGER scheme to estimate scope 3 emissions at the entity level, and will explore options to make public emissions data from facilities with annual emissions greater than 5,000 tonnes. 

Currently, public NGER data does not provide any insights into scope 3 emissions or into facility-level emissions. 

The government has also agreed in-principle that NGER coverage be extended to publicly-owned landfills.

However, it has only noted a recommendation by the Authority that agricultural emissions be brought into the scheme. 

As part of its response to the NGER review report, the government has also appointed Chief Scientist Cathy Foley to lead an expert panel to ensure the reporting for coal mine methane is accurate and transparent.

The federal government has also released its response to the Climate Change Authority's 2023 and 2020 reviews of the Carbon Farming Initiative Act, and has agreed or agreed in principle to all the Authority's recommendations. These include recommendations that:

• if an ACCU method is updated, then projects relying on the old version of the method should generally be required to align with the new version within two years. 
• non-carbon attributes of ACCUs should be visible on the ACCU register. 
• ACCU methods be developed for engineered emissions removals.

Grant opportunity - Solar SunShot. ARENA is inviting applications for funding under the first round of the Solar SunShot program, with grants available under two streams.

A total of $500 million will be available under round 1A, which is focused on solar PV manufacturing innovation. 

Another $50 million is available under round 1B, which will support feasibility studies and FEED. 

Consultation opportunity - network connection. Federal, state and territory governments are seeking views on streamlining network connection processes for EV charging equipment, solar systems on the rooftops of commercial and industrial facilities, and neighbourhood-scale batteries. Comments are due by 22 September. 

The Australian Energy Market Operator has released its latest Electricity statement of opportunities, which concludes that the NEM reliability outlook has improved, helped by the progress of 5.7GW of grid-scale generation and storage, and 365km of new transmission developments.

However, modelling indicates reliability gaps at times over the next 10 years if these projects are delayed. 

The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority has released its FY25 corporate plan, which says lifting expectations to consider the financial impacts of climate risk will be one of its top priorities. Over the coming year, APRA's activities will include:

• increasing expectations for regulated entities to consider climate related risk in their lending, underwriting, and investing. 
• increasing industry and supervisory awareness of the impact of nature risk on the resilience of entities, the financial system, and the community. 

APRA will undertake a Climate Vulnerability Assessment of Australia's five largest household insurers, which between them cover about 80% of the household insurance market. Through the assessment, APRA will seek to understand the impact of climate change on household insurance affordability out to 2050.

The Australian Accounting Standards Board has released a new action alert, which describes key decisions on its climate-related financial disclosure project. 

DCCEEW has released the 2024 Australian energy update, which shows energy productivity improved 1% in FY23. In calendar year 2023, renewable generation in Australia grew to a record 35% of total generation. 

The federal government has updated the climate change considerations chapter of the Australian Rainfall and Runoff: A Guide to Flood Estimation (ARR), which is used to assess flood risk for the built environment.

The federal government has released the Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory: March 2024.

The update shows emissions totalled 440.2 million tonnes in the year to March 2024, down 0.6% (2.7 Mt CO₂-e) compared with the previous year.

A project to reduce methane emissions at Stanmore Resources Ltd's South Walker Creek coal mine has become the first project to be supported through the Queensland's government's $520 million Low Emissions Investment Partnerships program.

The government will provide an undisclosed amount towards a new 20MW power station, fuelled by methane drained from the open-cut metallurgical coal mine. 

If successful, the project could pave the way for faster emissions reductions across the broader coal sector. The power station will be completed by 2027, and will meet the mine's entire electricity requirements.

The Queensland government has announced six collection sites for a pilot solar panel recycling program being run in partnership with the Smart Energy Council.

Further collection sites will be announced in coming weeks, and the project will inform decision-making on a national scheme. The state government has provided almost $5.5 million to support the pilot program.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition a proposal by Ratch-Australia for its proposed 100 MW/200 MWh Beryl battery energy storage facility near Gulgong, in the Central-West Orana REZ.

Victoria's Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has approved the first renewable energy project fully processed under a new fast-tracked approvals pathway for eligible energy projects.

ACEnergy has received a planning permit for its proposed $250 million 250MW Joel Joel battery energy storage system in the Northern Grampians, just nine weeks after submitting its approval application via the fast-track Development Facilitation Program.

Meanwhile, two other battery projects last week lodged planning permit applications under the DFP.

Grant opportunity - neighbourhood batteries. The Victorian government is inviting applications by 29 October for round two grants under its $42 million 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Programs.

Statutory development - climate change. South Australia's Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close, has introduced the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction (Miscellaneous) Bill, which will overhaul the state's existing climate legislation.

The bill introduces a net zero by 2050 target, and a short-term target of at least 60% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (from 2005 levels). It will also legislate a state target of 100% net renewable electricity generation by 2027. 

The bill also introduces a requirement to prepare a publicly available statewide emissions reduction plan and a statewide climate change risk assessment.

Grant opportunity - energy upgrades. Small businesses in South Australia can now apply for grants of between $2,500 and $50,000 to help reduce their energy bills, under round two of the $154 million Economic Recovery Fund. A total of $20 million will be distributed.

In a recent speech to the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, federal Resources Minister Madeleine King said she has long been "a very strong supporter of CCS and trust in the science". 

"We need to mobilise every tool at our disposal to get to net zero," the Minister said. In that context, we need CCS. I might also add that we need to show the public that CCS can work effectively. Industry simply must get runs on the board in that respect." 

The Chamber has recently released a report titled Capturing our future: Why carbon capture is critical to Australia's energy transition. 

"Western Australia's unique geology, geographical location, concentration of industry in key industrial hubs, and our skilled workforces all work in WA's favour to facilitate carbon dioxide imports from Asia, as well as decarbonising local industries," the report says. 

"Significant public investment in carbon capture initiatives relates back to the launch of CO2CRC in 2003, with successive federal governments announcing funding initiatives and policy positions," the report notes. 

"However, the topic became heavily politicised prior to the 2013 federal election when the Abbott Liberal Government heavily opposed any initiatives to address climate change, including carbon capture introduced under the Rudd Labor Government from 2007."

Issue 58, 26 August 2024

Statutory development - Net Zero Economy Authority. The Senate has passed with amendments the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill, which aims to "to promote orderly and positive economic transformation", according to the explanatory memorandum. 

The Coalition unsuccessfully moved an amendment describing the Bill as "a long-held union wish list item that masks itself as being an authority for the regions and for the net zero transition, but is really another Canberra bureaucracy".

As coal-fired power stations close, "zero-emissions nuclear technology will provide well-paid employment opportunities and economic security for generations in rural, regional, and remote communities", the Coalition amendment said.

Statutory development - mandatory climate disclosure. The Senate has also passed with amendments the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill, which phases in a mandatory climate-related financial disclosure regime.

The federal government has established a new green metals advisory panel, with Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic saying green metals could deliver up to $122 billion a year to Australia's economy by 2040. Panel members include:

• Mark Cain, chief executive of the Australian Steel Institute.
• Paul Farrow, national secretary of the Australian Workers Union. 
• Paul Howes, national managing partner, KPMG. 
• Marghanita Johnson, chief executive of the Australian Aluminium Council.
• Steve Murphy, national secretary of the AMWU.
• Jenny Selway, CEO of the Heavy Industry Low-Carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre.
• Rebecca Tomkinson, CEO of the WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy.

Government and Coalition senators involved in a Senate committee inquiry into the proposed Middle Arm development precinct in Darwin have all expressed support for the project.

In the newly-released committee report, government senators described Middle Arm as "an important way of diversifying industry in the NT and setting up our economy for a sustainable future".

Coalition senators described it as "essential to protect and promote the Northern Territory economy".

However, Greens senators said the government's decision to commit $1.5 billion to the precinct constituted pork barrelling, and no money should go to fossil fuel projects within it. 

Independent Senator David Pocock said Middle Arm would have fossil gas "at its core", and described carbon capture and storage as "a figleaf for the expansion of the fossil fuel industry".

Senator Lidia Thorpe said "the life threatening and ecocidal" precinct must not proceed.

The head of DCCEEW's new Office of the Capacity Investment Scheme, Matt Brine, has described "evolving areas of the CIS design that we are working on for upcoming tenders", in a speech to the recent Clean Energy Investor conference.

The areas discussed by Brine include demand response and virtual power plants, which until now have been excluded. 

"We are keen to address industry calls to include, for example, virtual power plants and aggregations of facilities that on their own would not meet the minimum 30 MW threshold for CIS participation," he said.

DCCEEW is accepting applications until 8 September for its new Youth Advisory Council on International Climate Change. 

The council will advise Minister Chris Bowen on issues to support Australia's commitment to reach net-zero by 2050 and to advance the energy transition.

It will consist of 10 young people aged 18 to 30, and will operate until December 2025.

When Australia's new 2035 emissions reduction target is set in February, it is likely to immediately impact the ACCU market, according to energy and climate analyst Reputex.

The decision will re-shape ACCU prices just prior to the first (31 March) compliance deadline for the reformed Safeguard Mechanism, Reputex points out.

Reputex concludes that Safeguard baseline decline rates (currently set at an average of 4.9% annually) will need to be strengthened in FY27 if Australia adopts a 2035 target that requires greater than a 67% reduction on 2005 levels.

The Climate Change Authority has suggested in its initial advice that a 2035 target of between 65% and 75% might be appropriate.

Parliament's joint committee on treaties has recommended that the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty be ratified.

The treaty will strengthen cooperation on responding to climate change, as well as cooperation on broader national security interests.

A Senate committee inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles has scheduled a September 5 hearing in Brisbane.

The Insurance Council of Australia has released its latest annual Catastrophe resilience report, showing that the impact of extreme weather on the Australian economy has more than tripled over the last three decades.

The NSW government has granted planning consent to Lightsource's $880 million 450MW Goulburn River solar farm and battery energy storage system.

The project, located between the Central-West Orana REZ and the Hunter-Central Coast REZ, will eliminate about 733,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas annually, and will have access to existing transmission infrastructure, according to the state government. 

The project is the ninth solar farm and twenty-fifth renewable energy project approved by the Minns state government.

New climate modelling contains the finest resolution modelling ever made available to state and local governments.

The projections indicate that NSW is expected to experience average warming of 1.2°C by 2050, and 1.3°C by 2090 in a low-emissions scenario, and warming of 2°C by 2050, and 4°C by 2090 in a high-emissions scenario.  

The NARCliM projections, which were developed in consultation with other state governments, are available at the 4km scale for south-east Australia, and a coarser (20km) scale for Australasia generally.

The Clean Energy Council says it doesn't support the state government's proposed design for a mandatory, industry-financed, VicGrid-administered Community Energy Fund that would make payments to councils in renewable energy zones. 

In a submission to the state government, the Clean Energy Council estimates that a hybrid 150MW battery energy storage system and 300MW solar farm in NSW would be liable to pay $10,000 annually to the relevant local government, plus an amount specified through a voluntary planning agreement.

"If the same project was in Victoria it could be liable for $750,000," the submission says. 

"In 2020, the Clean Energy Council surveyed members on rates paid across the country, the data showed that per MW, projects in Victoria were paying between $3000 and almost $3500 per MW, well above the 2nd highest of almost $1,000 per MW in Queensland," the submission adds. 

"Projects have finite resources and the Clean Energy Council has heard from members that mandatory contributions to a REZ Community Energy Fund would be reallocated from project-led benefit funds," it says.

"If VicGrid is determined to mandate proponent contributions towards REZ Community Energy Funds, CEC submits that VicGrid should explore opportunities [for] lowering electricity bills for families and residents living in REZs," it adds.

The Victorian government is conducting a Request for Information process for a Wind Worker Training Centre and a Renewable Hydrogen Worker Training Centre.

The government is also designing an SEC Centre of Training Excellence, which aims to attract and train the workforce needed to support Victoria's energy transition.

The South Australian government has placed on exhibition the EIS for a battery anode material facility proposed by Renascor Resources, which would produce spherical graphite for use in lithium-ion batteries. Comments are due by 27 September. 

Stage one construction is expected to start next year, resulting in the production of about 50,000 tonnes of spherical graphite. In stage two, production would expand to 100,000 tonnes. The federal government last month awarded a $5 million critical minerals grant to the project.

The Northern Territory's incoming CLP government says the gas industry will be able to "proceed with certainty" when it takes office, stating that the gas from the Beetaloo "can be used to transition to renewables and create a new clean energy source".

In a plan released in the lead-up to Saturday's election, the CLP says it also aims to halve the time it takes to get development approvals in the Territory. 

The CLP will also double the Territory's solar feed in tariff in peak times "lowering your energy bills and creating a greener future for our kids", the plan says.

"We'll also double the battery bonus up to $12,000 so you can store the energy your solar panels produce," it says.

Issue 57, 19 August 2024

Australian Energy Regulator Chair, Clare Savage, has urged network service providers to submit innovative proposals to help reduce the capex costs of the energy transition, which can be tested through a "regulatory sandbox" approach.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has gazetted the Industry Research and Development (First Nations Renewable Hydrogen Engagement Fund Program) Instrument 2024. 

An explanatory statement says the growth of Australia's hydrogen industry is expected to take place largely on land traditionally owned by First Nations people. The $4 million Fund will support First Nations communities and organisations to: 

• represent their interests and concerns in ongoing project consultations and negotiations based on free, prior, and informed consent to development; and
• capture ongoing social and economic value from renewable hydrogen projects; and
• respond to the growing number of renewable hydrogen projects that are in development.

From 26 August, Westpac can access a discount variable home loan to make energy efficiency improvements or improve climate resilience. 

The discount loans are being provided with $160 million in financial support from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which is being delivered through the CEFC's $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund.

The Queensland government will provide a renewable energy-based support package to Rio Tinto to secure the long-term future of its Boyne Island aluminium smelter near Gladstone.

The support package, which will be accessible to Rio Tinto from 2029, requires the company to operate the smelter at full capacity until 2040. 

Rio Tinto has also committed to invest in energy demand response capabilities, so that it can reduce its electricity demand at times of tight supply.

The partnership "will use firmed renewables to safeguard jobs at Boyne Smelter for the future", said Premier Steven Miles. 

Rio Tinto chief executive for Australia, Kellie Parker, said the agreement "paves the way for a competitive, green-energy powered Boyne Smelter, supporting employment and lowering Australia’s carbon footprint". 

“While this is a critical part of the puzzle, we have more to do," Parker said. "We will continue to engage with the federal government on supportive industry policy to help sustain Australia’s green aluminium sector for the future."

The Queensland Labor government says it will build a new $15 million skills and training facility in Townsville to help develop the region's green hydrogen industry workforce, if it wins this year's state election, with another proposed for Rockhampton.

Statutory development - renewable energy. Government minister Jihad Dib has signalled that Labor is open to supporting a renewable energy Bill proposed by independent MP for Barwon, Roy Butler, subject to an agreement on amendments. 

The Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Renewable Energy Sector Plan) Bill 2024 proposed by Butler would amend provisions for planning by the Renewable Energy Sector Board, which comprises representatives of unions, consumers, and energy specialists.

The amendments aim to increase the scope for public involvement in the Board's preparation of a renewable energy sector plan, to better ensure local businesses and communities benefit from Renewable Energy Zones. 

Butler's far-west electorate covers about 40% of the state.

The Queensland government has placed on exhibition Goldwind's proposed $2.8 billion 1,400MW Baldon wind farm project, which would be located in the Southwest Renewable Energy Zone. 

The project would be accompanied by a 200MW/400MWh energy storage system. It would be built in two stages, with stage one comprising 45 turbines and stage two comprising 135. 

A community survey identified 72% support for the project and its potential community benefits.

Clean energy technology scientist Dr Bjorn Sturmberg, whose research focuses on integrating EVs and batteries into the grid, has been awarded the 2024 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award.

The ACT government has issued an updated Transport infrastructure plan.

Issue 56, 12 August 2024

In a move that could pave the way for regional CCS hubs, the federal government has issued greenhouse gas assessment permits to deepC Store (Australia) Pty Ltd and Azuli (Australia) Pty Ltd, as well as to InCapture Pty Ltd, SK Earthon Australia Pty Ltd, and Carbon CQ Pty Ltd. 

The two consortiums are both interested in establishing hubs that provide carbon storage for the region, as well as for domestic emitters. 

Azuli is a UK-based CCS specialist, and deepC Store is based in Perth. Their permits are for greenhouse gas acreages in the Bonaparte and Browse basins off the WA coast. 

Azuli and deepC Store have entered into a study agreement with Japan's J-Power, to develop a full value chain project shipping liquified CO2 from locations in Japan and Australia to floating storage and injection facilities in Australian waters. 

SK Earthon is a South Korean oil and gas company, which is developing its CCS business, while Carbon CQ is an Australian-based CCS consultancy, and InCaptureis a Perth-based carbon storage project developer.

InCapture has a 75% stake in the North West Shelf potential CCS project, with SK Earthon having 20%, and Carbon CQ 5%.

The federal government has also issued two greenhouse gas assessment permit to Beach Energy.

The federal government has given EPBC approval for NSW's Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission project, which will connect renewable energy generation and storage projects within the REZ to the national electricity network.

The project has previously received $490 million in finance from the Rewiring the Nation Fund.

Meanwhile, the federal government has invited comment on an EPBC referral for the NSW component of the Victoria-NSW Interconnector West project, known as VNI West. 

It has also invited public comment on APA Group's referral of the East Pilbara network stage 1 project, which will establish a new transmission line connecting APA's Port Hedland gas-fired power station and its 45MW Port Hedland solar farm and 35MW/36.7MWh battery project, to De Grey's proposed Hemi gold project. 

APA says in the referral that future stages of the East Pilbara network would enable the transmission of electricity from APA's inland renewable hub projects. 

The federal government has also invited comment on ACEN Australia's proposed 600MW Birriwa solar farm in NSW, which would also have a 600MW/1,200MWh battery energy storage system.

The federal government has established an expert advisory group to provide advice on reducing the impacts of climate change on the nation's health.
 
The Climate and Health Expert Advisory Group, which will be chaired by assistant health minister Ged Kearney, will also support implementation of Australia's first National Health and Climate Strategy, which was launched at COP28.

DCCEEW has released a training package is now available under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program to help farmers and land managers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and store carbon.

Meanwhile, four more feed additive projects have been awarded grants under the Methane Emissions Reduction in Livestock (MERiL) research and development program.

The Queensland government has approved the development of the 436.5MW Tarong West Wind farm, which will be located about 30 kilometres south-west of Kingaroy, in the Southern Queensland REZ.

The 97-turbine wind farm is being developed by global renewable energy developer RES, in conjunction with Stanwell.

A new community information centre will be established in Gladstone to coordinate hydrogen industry events and build awareness of the opportunities associated with the growth of the clean energy sector.

The Gladstone region is currently home-base for around half of Queensland's 50-plus registered hydrogen projects.

The NSW Parliament has launched an inquiry into the impact of Renewable Energy Zones on rural and regional communities and industries.

The inquiry will examine matters including compensation, fire risk, alternatives to large-scale wind and solar, and community consultation.

The NSW EPA has released the results of a survey of all its licence holders, which was carried out to assess their carbon emissions, and where EPA assistance and regulatory intervention could be useful.

The survey found:

• about 40% of licensees do not have a dedicated person or group responsible for managing climate change issues.
• about 50% have quantified their greenhouse gas emissions.
• about 25% have an emissions reduction plan that applies to their facility.
• less than 40% have carried out a climate change risk assessment.
• less than 20% have identified measures to adapt to climate change.
• less than 10% have an adaptation plan.

Consultation - climate information. Victoria's Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is seeking feedback on Victoria's Future Climate Tool, which was released in 2021 to provide climate information to help inform decision-making.

The tool, which was developed by the state government and CSIRO and provides local-scale climate projections data for Victoria out to the 2090s, will be updated based on the feedback. Comments are due by 6 September.

The Tasmanian government has welcomed news that Marinus Link Pty Ltd has signed a contract with Prysmian PowerLink to design, manufacture, and install stage 1 of the Marinus Link interconnector.

Tasmania's Climate Change Office has released the state's 2024 Greenhouse gas emissions report, which provides data for 2022.

Winners of this year's SA Climate Leaders awards include the City of Mitcham, which was awarded a $10,000 prize by the Premier's Climate Change Council for its Community Renewable Energy Program.

Electrolux received the large business and industry award for its new energy-efficient electric furnace, which is used to fire enamel onto the insides of ovens. 

The new furnace, which has replaced a gas-powered furnace, is the first of its type to be installed within the Electrolux Group and the project will be used as a template for Electrolux plants globally.

A proposed Maitland-Karratha-Burrup transmission line could be the first Western Australian project to attract concessional finance from the Commonwealth's Rewiring the Nation fund, according to WA Energy, Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby. 

The transmission line would link renewable energy generation in the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area with Karratha and major Pilbara projects.

Issue 55, 5 August 2024

Finance and climate change ministers from Australia and New Zealand have held a climate and finance dialogue. Ministers agreed to:

• review regulatory barriers to the net zero transformation, with an
  initial focus on batteries and electric vehicle charging. 
• convene sector-based roundtables on the maritime sector to identify the conditions required for trans-Tasman green shipping corridors.
• investigate ways to develop a regional sustainable aviation fuel industry
• invite NZ aviation companies and representatives to join the Jet Zero Council.
• promote trans-Tasman regulatory alignment on net zero product certification.
• invest in long-term emissions reduction opportunities for agriculture.

Submissions to a Senate committee inquiry into the Future Made in Australia bills are now available. Submitters include:

• Fortescue, which is "concerned that without the Australian government, WA government and industry uniting to develop a focused and funded green iron plan for the Pilbara, the nation runs the risk of losing its long established and high earning place in the global steel supply chain". 
• SunDrive Solar, which calls for stronger local content requirements.
• BHP, which calls for large-scale investment in supporting infrastructure, robust and streamlined permitting, "competitive taxation", and a renewed industry-government effort to alleviate skills shortages.

Consultation opportunity - house rating scheme expansion. DCCEEW is consulting on a proposed expansion of the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) to include energy assessments and ratings for existing homes.

NatHERS is currently only used to assess new homes, and the expanded version is expected to launch in mid-2025. Webinars will be held over the next few weeks, and comments are due by 30 August.

The expanded NatHERS scheme could underpin the introduction of point of sale or lease disclosure regimes. 

The first Expression of Interest round for new ACCU Scheme methods, which ran from 21 May 2024 to 12 July, resulted in 39 EOIs being submitted, according to DCCEEW. 

More information about the EOIs will be released once Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen decides which of them to prioritise for development. 

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will loan Ampol $100 million to support EV charging, hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, solar PV, and the development of low carbon liquid fuels.

Ampol expects the finance will enable it to deliver more than 200 new public fast charging bays across its service station network by 2025. It will also use some of the finance to support its renewable fuels programs

Meanwhile, the CEFC is also investing an additional $20 million to expand the electric vehicle fleet of Splend, which leases vehicles to drivers with rideshare services such as Uber.

The CEFC move builds on a $20 million initial investment made last June, which boosted the number of EVs in Splend’s fleet by 500 cars, "showing the strong demand for EVs among rideshare drivers", Climate Minister Chris Bowen said.

ARENA has awarded grants totalling more than $3.2 million to two solar projects.  PV Lighthouse Pty Ltd has received $1.97 million to expand its SunSolve yield modelling software and Built Robotics Australia Pty Ltd received $1.3 million for its autonomous piling robots project.

Meanwhile, ARENA has also awarded $15 million to the Australian Energy Market Operator, to accelerate readiness for major power system changes and provide greater visibility to investors on emerging requirements and opportunities.

The federal government has granted a greenhouse gas storage assessment permit to Pilot Energy (CH CCUS) Pty Ltd. 

Pilot Energy is proposing the Cliff Head offshore CCS project, south of Geraldton. When operating, the project aims to annually store more than one million tonnes of CO2 – with first injection targeted for 2026. 

Infrastructure Australia has released a report on Embodied carbon projections for Australian infrastructure and buildings, which establishes a baseline for the upfront embodied carbon in Australia's built environment. 

The report forecasts that Australia's construction pipeline for buildings and infrastructure will produce between 37Mt and 64Mt of greenhouse in upfront embodied carbon each year for the five years to 2026-27, equating to a total of 247Mt of CO₂e over the period. 

The report says that close to a quarter of these emissions (23%) can be abated by employing practical decarbonisation strategies by 2026-2027. Infrastructure Australia recommends that the federal government:

• develop a comprehensive national plan to promote the decarbonisation of embodied carbon in the built environment.  
• build confidence and literacy to enable the uptake of low carbon products and solutions. 
• develop a nationally standardised embodied carbon measurement system.   
• implement a common national approach to drive market demand for low carbon solutions.  
• develop new methods for project delivery, which share risks and rewards for innovative approaches.   
• work with industry to drive national alignment on low-carbon expectations, through performance-based standards and specifications.

The Business Council of Australia has released four submissions on climate change matters - dealing with the transport and infrastructure net-zero plan, the coal orderly exit draft Bill, sustainability collaborations and competition law, and low-carbon liquid fuels.

Meanwhile, the Clean Energy Council has released submissions on unlocking Australia's green minerals processing and metals refining, the Future Made in Australia Bill, and Victoria's proposed minimum standards for rental accommodation.

he state government has announced the members of its new, advisory Clean Economy Expert Panel. 

The panel will be chaired by Professor Frank Jotzo, and other members include Professor Kerrie Wilson, Monica Richter, Kylie Porter, Dr Andrew Ash, and Professor Neville Plint.

The state government has released a methodology for calculating the proportion of electricity generated in Queensland that comes from renewables sources. 

Queensland's new Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act requires that the government publish the methodology, as well as an annual statement on progress towards achieving the state's renewable energy targets.

New data shows more than 2,750 new jobs have been created across Queensland's six publicly owned energy businesses alone in less than two years, according to the state government.

Employment figures from Powerlink, Energy Queensland, Stanwell, CleanCo, CS Energy and Queensland Hydro show a 28% rise in full-time-equivalent staff between November 2022 and 30 June 2024, up from 9,792 to 12,562.

Consultation opportunity - renewable fuels. The state government has released a report on Opportunities for a renewable fuel industry in NSW, which asks about the merits of targets and mandates. Comments are due by 30 August.

The ACT government has awarded a $750,000 grant to New Frontier Technologiesto develop an innovative storage solution for hydrogen.

It has also provided $300,000 to RenewMap to support the further development of its web platform, which maps energy projects across Australia and New Zealand.

Statutory development - a safe climate. Victorian Greens MLC Sarah Mansfield has introduced the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Amendment (Right to a Safe Climate) Bill.

The 312MW Wimmera Plains wind farm and 100MW/400MWh battery energy storage system, to be built near Horsham, has received EPBC approval.

In the first round of its Solar for Apartments program, co-funded by the federal and state governments, Solar Victoria received 438 applications from owners' corporations for 12,000 kilowatts of solar capacity, which would service more than 5,000 apartments. Applications for round two will open later this month.

Statutory development and consultation opportunity - planning for decarbonisation. The South Australian Department of the Premier and Cabinet has released a draft State Development Coordination and Facilitation Bill, designed to ensure the regulatory and planning system is fit-for-purpose for the net-zero transition.

The Bill provides for "state development areas" (SDAs) that would be proactively assessed by regulators as environmentally and economically suitable for key developments.

SDAs could take the form of infrastructure corridors, green manufacturing hubs, port- industrial zones, or common-user infrastructure areas.

The Bill will also establish a one-stop-shop state government assessment and approvals pathway for major and complex projects. Comments are due by 31 August.

The NT Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet has released an updated NT Gas Plan to 2030, which focuses on economic, energy security, and environmental aspects. 

"The integration of natural gas, solar and CCS will be vital in achieving
domestic and regional emissions targets," the plan says.

The plan signals the development of CCS legislation for the Territory, to facilitate the development of a CCS industry servicing Australian and international customers.

Issue 54, 29 July 2024

A Cabinet reshuffle has resulted in several changes for portfolios that involve a strong focus on climate and sustainability matters. 

At the ministerial level, Murray Watt will move out of agriculture, and Julie Collins will take on responsibility for agriculture, with Murray Watt moving to employment and industrial relations.

Senator Jenny McAllister will be elevated from the role of assistant climate change minister, and will become Minister for Cities and Emergency Management - a portfolio in which climate change and sustainability will still be crucial issues. 

At the assistant minister level, Josh Wilson is the new assistant minister for climate change and energy.

Senator Tim Ayres is the new assistant minister for a Future Made in Australia, while continuing to serve as assistant minister on trade. Senator Anthony Chisholm now has assistant ministerial responsibilities for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and will continue to serve as assistant minister on regional development. 

The ASX has launched three Environmental Futures contracts covering Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs), and New Zealand carbon units (NZUs).

The contracts, which build on existing ASX futures contracts for electricity, gas and grains, are hedging instruments that help customers to price and manage the risk of the energy transition, up to five years ahead.

The ASX has released an information sheet and FAQs on the new contracts.

A new report from the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) has found a growing number of ASX200 companies are integrating climate considerations into their financial statements and pricing carbon to test business resilience. 

In total, 131 ASX200 companies (66%) have made a net zero commitment, an 8% increase on 2023. A total of 82% of the market capitalisation of the ASX200, representing approximately $2.2 trillion, is invested in companies that have set net zero ambitions.

The report found 21% of the ASX200 disclosed that they use an internal carbon price when making investment and capital decisions – consistent with the previous year. However, the prices used vary significantly, as does the way in which they use them. 

Of those revealing the prices that they use, the lowest was $12.90 per tonne, and the second highest being NZD$250 (A$224.77) per tonne.

The report also found:

• 29% of the ASX200 disclosed how climate change is considered when evaluating their financial performance and position.
• 66% analysed and disclosed their exposure to physical risks arising from climate change – a significant rise on the previous year.
• 29% have set Scope 3 targets.
• 30% say their targets are science-based.
• There is a dearth of reporting on carbon credits use, holdings and quality, with disclosures varying significantly.

Round two of the Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Program has awarded grants totalling $41.2 million to more than 1,700 small and medium businesses. 

CSIRO has released a report assessing Australia's mid-stream processing capacity for critical minerals. It has also released detailed, supplementary reports for lithium, cobalt, graphite, rare earths, silicon, and lithium-ion battery recycling.

The Australian Academy for Technological Sciences and Engineering has released a report on small modular reactors, which concluded it is unlikely that they could be part of Australia's energy mix until they reach market maturity, in the mid- to late-2040s.

A House of Representatives committee inquiry into electric vehicles held hearings last Thursday and Friday, with another hearing scheduled for 8 August.

AEMO has published its June connections scorecard for the National Electricity Market, tracking the progress of generation and storage project applications to connect to the NEM.

Compared to the previous 12 months, the capacity of projects working through the connection process have surged from 30 GW to 43 GW, the scorecard shows. 

The Australian Accounting Standards Board has released an action alert from its most recent meetings, which outlines its decisions on climate-related financial disclosures. 

Inefficient halogen lights will be phased out, if LED equivalents are available, under changes to the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) scheme.

With the support of the NSW and Victorian governments, the Energy Efficiency Council has released a Roadmap for heat pump water systems in Australia, along with a background report.

The roadmap's 17 recommended actions include revising standards, and putting in place end-of-life stewardship measures.

In the last 12 months, the uptake of domestic heat pumps in NSW and Victoria has been significant, with more than 104,000 installed across both states, driven by the Victorian Solar Homes Program and the NSW Energy Savings Scheme. 

The two state governments will establish a consultation group of industry representatives to support and oversee the development of systems and standards.

Alinta and Parkwind have made an EPBC referral for the proposed 1GW+ Spinifex offshore wind farm off the coast of Portland, doing so a week after Macquarie Green Investment Group lodged a referral for the Great Eastern offshore wind project. 

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has reached a significant investment milestone, with $2 billion invested in infrastructure projects across northern Australia.

Last year the federal government committed an additional $2 billion to the Facility, taking the total financing available to $7 billion, and earlier this year the government updated NAIF's investment mandate. 

The federal government says it is finalising 10 carbon capture and storage exploration permits, and several gas exploration permits.

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council has appointed Toby Kent as its new chief executive. 

Kent was most recently a partner in the PwC energy transition team, and was previously the City of Melbourne's chief resilience officer. He is also a board member of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia.

EY has released a new briefing paper on How Australia can fast-track energy transmission projects. 

Consultation opportunity - renewable and the grid. VicGrid has released draft Victorian transmission plan guidelines and a renewable energy zone study area map. The final guidelines will be published in September, as a prelude to finalising the state's first transmission plan by July next year. 

Comments on the draft guidelines are due by 25 August.

The federal and WA governments have signed a Renewable Energy Transformation Agreement, with the federal government agreeing to underwrite the construction of 6.5 terawatt hours of new wind and solar projects in WA, as well as 1.1GW of new storage.

Meanwhile, registrations opened last week for the first Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender for Western Australia.

The federal and NT governments have signed a $250 million agreement as part of the Rewiring the Nation Program, to be delivered through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

Issue 53, 22 July 2024

The Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council has released a national roadmap for Consumer Energy Resources, to coordinate the role of household solar and batteries in the grid, and maximise their benefits. 

At their meeting in Melbourne, ministers also appear to have put on hold scheduled annual increases in the estimated value of emissions reductions (VERs), which were set earlier this year on an interim basis by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

The values - which are not a carbon price, but allow the benefits of emissions reductions to be quantified - were in turn used by AEMO in the finalisation of its Integrated System Plan.

The AER had proposed that the interim values increase gradually, from $66 last year, to $70 this year, to $80 in 2026, then rising to $105 in 2030. 

However, in a move that appears to temporarily halt the gradual rise, ministers agreed "to extend the interim Value of Emissions Reduction to June 2026 to allow sufficient time for the development of a longer-term VER whilst still providing certainty to market bodies and participants". 

In addition, the Council agreed to develop a new strategic plan for the national E3 energy efficiency and labelling scheme, and undertook to expedite the implementation of minimum energy performance standards for heat pump hot water systems as a priority.

Ministers also:

• received an update on work by the federal and NT governments on scope 3 emissions from the Beetaloo Basin.
• agreed to release national guidelines for community engagement for transmission infrastructure.
• received an updated on building energy performance reforms.
• discussed progress on the development of Net Zero sector plans, focusing on the plan for the electricity and energy sector. 
• welcomed an update on the First Nations clean energy strategy. 
• agreed to a national statement of intent for regional and remote EV charging infrastructure.
• received a briefing on Victoria's integrated plan for an orderly energy transition.

Ministers are scheduled to meet again in December. 

A Senate committee inquiring into Glencore's now-prohibited proposal for an onshore CCS project has recommended that the water trigger in the EPBC Act be updated "to include onshore CCS".

The committee's report into the project, which has been halted by the Queensland government, also recommends that states and territories consider a legislated ban on CCS activities across the Great Artesian Basin "to ensure this important natural asset is uniformly preserved".

Coalition members of the committee supported both recommendations "in principle". However, they did not support a "blanket" application of the water trigger to national CCS projects, and they noted that that Coalition remains supportive of CCS. 

Meanwhile, the National Farmers Federation has launched Federal Court proceedings seeking to have set aside a decision by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek that the Glencore proposal was not a controlled action under the EPBC Act. Hearings are scheduled for the first two days of August. 

Statutory development - Guarantee of Origin. The federal government is working to finalise legislation for its Guarantee of Origin scheme, with the aim of having the emissions accounting scheme operational early next year.

Assistant Minister for Climate and Energy Jenny McAllister described the scheme as "the most important green industry program you never heard of".

"As the world decarbonises, it will be increasingly important for businesses to be able to account for the carbon emissions associated with their products," McAllister said.

The scheme will issue digital certificates that allow producers, exporters and users to prove where a product was made, and the emissions associated with its production and transport.

The scheme will commence with hydrogen, and will then expand to include low carbon liquid fuels like sustainable aviation fuel, green metals like steel and aluminium, and biomethane and biogas.

The Guarantee of Origin scheme will be supported by the Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin scheme, which will issue digital certificates proving when, where and how renewable energy was produced. The scheme will replace the RET in 2030 as the framework for certifying renewable electricity.

"We don’t have the luxury of delaying investment in new generation for another 15 or 20 years while we wait for a new form of energy generation that Australia has never had," Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has told the National Press Club.

"Because this is the critical decade, it also needs to be the decisive decade," Bowen said.

"Now you might have heard certain politicians say it is government policy to build 28,000 kilometres of transmission lines," the Minister said. "This isn’t true. Never has been."

"We are supporting the building of 4,000 kilometres of transmission lines over the next decade plus the upgrading of another 1,000 kilometres."

"Of the 4,000 kilometres actually required – 900 kilometres are complete or well under physical construction."

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen is in China to attend the 8th Ministerial on Climate Action (MOCA), taking place today and tomorrow.

The ASX has said it will this month launch a suite of environmental futures contracts, to help businesses hedge the economic risk of the transition. (An outline of the futures contracts can be found in an ASX chapter in a Carbon Markets Institute publication here.)

The ASX is also listing a new deliverable "natural gas futures contract" in August, covering Queensland's Wallumbilla Gas Supply Hub in Queensland. The contract was developed in collaboration with the Australian Energy Market Operator. 

A new discussion paper from the government-commissioned carbon leakage review headed by Professor Frank Jotzo is expected very soon.

In a speech to the Australian Clean Energy Summit, shadow climate change and energy minister Ted O'Brien said "getting to net zero is so hard, the last thing we can do is take any option off the table". 

"We believe not in putting all our eggs in one basket, but a balanced energy mix," O'Brien said. 

"Today that balance is through renewables, gas and coal. However, as coal retires from the system, we believe it should be replaced with zero emissions nuclear energy," he said.

Meanwhile, in other summit speeches, DCCEEW deputy secretary Simon Duggan detailed precautions built into the Capacity Investment Scheme to prevent unwanted, detrimental impacts, and Australian Energy Market Operator chief executive Daniel Westerman discussed the Integrated System plan. 

A YouTube video of a leaders' panel session from the summit is also available.

A July 19 and 22 meeting of the Australian Accounting Standards Board will consider papers on climate change and sustainability disclosure, including one that recommends stronger alignment with the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards baseline.

The Productivity Commission, in a submission to a Senate inquiry on the impact of climate risk on insurance premiums and availability, recommends that governments increase their investment in natural disaster mitigation works,
and that they phase out taxes and levies on insurance.

Santos, Tamboran Resources, Inpex, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the NT EPA, have aill recently submitted answers to questions on notice as part of the Senate committee inquiry into the Middle Arm development. 

So too have organisations including the Australian Energy Producers and the Australian Conservation Foundation. 

Santos advises in its answer that, for its Barossa project, the company last year executed agreements to build a portfolio of projects supporting the development of five nature-based projects across Queensland, Alaska, and PNG to generate carbon credits.

Last year it also entered into forward contracts for the purchase of 2.5 million ACCUs at fixed prices to be delivered and paid between December 2023 and January 2027. 

"Santos will meet its obligations under the Safeguard Mechanism and subject to a future investment decision may offset emissions through CCS at Bayu-Undan," its response says.

The federal government is providing a $2.5 million grant for a new CSIRO research program to strengthen international collaboration on critical minerals science.

The grant is being provided through the Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub.

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council has released a new rating tool designed specifically for small infrastructure projects valued at $5 million to $100 million.

A new report on the costs of transmission delays finds that for NSW small business customers with a 40 MWh electricity consumption, a three-year delay in transmission delivery has a cumulative impact on bills over 20 years of $7,716.

The impact is significantly smaller for small businesses in other states. For larger NSW businesses with a 4,000MWh annual electricity consumption, a three year delay would add $771,572 to their energy bills over the same period.

The report was prepared by Nexa Advisory, for Re-Alliance, which has members comprising environmental groups and the Electrical Trades Union. 

Eighteen industry and environment bodies, including AI Group, the National Farmers Federation, the Australian Steel Council, and the Investor Group on Climate Change, have issued a joint statement on the need for climate and energy policy certainty.

The Australian Centre for Corporate Responsibility has released the findings of a global survey of investors focused on steel decarbonisation.

Iberdrola has made an EPBC referral for its proposed 500MW Gin Gin Battery Energy Storage System, near Bundaberg.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition the EIS for Iberdrola's Kingswood 500MW/1000MWh battery energy storage system, to be located near Tamworth.

IPART is seeking feedback on draft conditions for granting a transmission operator's licence to ACEREZ Partnership (ACEREZ) to operate the transmission system connecting the Central West Orana renewable energy zone to the NSW grid.

ACEREZ has received planning approval for the project, and is now applying for a transmission operator's licence application on the same day. 

Due to access needs for two Renewable Energy Zones, the NSW government has reclassified two key local roads as state roads.

Great Eastern Offshore Wind, owned by Macquarie Green Investment Group, has made an EPBC referral for preliminary site investigations for its proposed 2.5GW project off the coast of Gippsland. 

Barwon Water, with the assistance of a new $3 million grant from ARENA, will investigate using oxygen to treat wastewater at a Geelong treatment plant. 

The oxygen would be produced as a byproduct of renewable hydrogen production by Viva Energy at its Geelong site, via a 2.5MW electrolyser. 

ARENA chief executive Darren Miller said Barwon Water's project will highlight how renewable hydrogen producers and wastewater treatment players can work together to decarbonise.

Statutory development - coastal policy. The Tasmanian Government has released draft legislation on coastal infrastructure.

The move follows advice received earlier this year about the application of the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy to the Robbins Island wind farm.

The draft Bill seeks to validate previous permits issued for coastal infrastructure under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA) from 25 February 2009 until the date of the commencement of the proposed legislation.

It also ensures that no action can be taken against individuals or organisations that have acted in line with permits issued under LUPAA.

Submissions are due by 1 August.

The Tasmanian government has significantly raised the limit constraining Hydro Tasmania capacity to develop new energy generation.

The legislative constraint has been lifted from 40MW to 300MW.

The NT government has signed two MoUs have been signed with the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOCMEC).

The first MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in fossil gas, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen production. The second focuses on greater collaboration with critical mineral supply chains.

Issue 52, 15 July 2024

The Climate Change Authority is due to shortly submit key advice that will guide the development of the government's Net Zero by 2050 Plan. 

By 1 August, the Authority will submit to Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen its review of the potential technology transition and emissions pathways that best support Australia's transition to net zero emissions by 2050 for 6 sectors–electricity and energy, transport, industry and waste, agriculture and land, resources, and the built environment.

It will make the review publicly available "soon afterwards".

The review is considering matters including:

• existing and prospective opportunities to achieve emissions reductions;
• which technologies may be deployed in each sector to support emissions reductions;
• how public and private finance can support and align with these emission pathways;
• barriers to implementation, such as short-term or longer-term pressures on cost and supply chains and the pace of technology commercialisation;

The review will also inform the Authority's work on Australia's 2035 targets, which is due to be submitted by October. 

Kestrel Coal, Incitec Pivot, Dyno Nobel, CSBP, the Boyne Aluminium smelter, and Viva Energy will share $91 million in decarbonisation grants to heavy industry. 

Kestrel Coal, which mines metallurgical coal, will use its $37.2 million to reduce ventilation methane emissions at its mine near the Queensland town of Emerald.

According to its latest sustainability report, ventilated methane accounts for 72% of its operational greenhouse gas emissions.

Incitec Pivot will use its $28 million to help fund a solar and battery storage system at its Phosphate Hill operations, and Dyno Nobel has received $9.8 million to deploy emissions capture technologies at its ammonium nitrate facility in the Bowen Basin.

CSBP has received $7.5 million to install a low emission waste gas incinerator at its Kwinana sodium cyanide plant. 

Boyne Smelters will use its $5.4 million for energy efficiency upgrades at its Gladstone smelter, and Viva Energy will use its $3 million to help with electrification at its Geelong refinery. 

The latest funding announcement follows grants totalling $330 million to nine projects, announced in April. 

South Australia has become the first jurisdiction to sign a Renewable Energy Transformation Agreement with the federal government, involving a federal pledge to underwrite at least 1GW of new wind and solar.

The federal government will also underwrite an additional 400MW of new storage capacity, building on its previous commitment to support 200MW of storage.

The federal government is negotiating similar Renewable Energy Transformation Agreements with other states. 

The federal government will provide grants totalling $13 million to critical minerals projects in Queensland and South Australia to boost downstream processing and strengthen Australia’s sovereign capabilities.

Queensland Pacific Metals will receive $8 million to bolster domestic nickel and cobalt production, while South Australian-based Renascor Resources will receive $5 million for its pilot purified spherical graphite project.

The grants are being provided through the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program.

Speaking at a carbon capture and storage conference, Resources Minister Madeleine King has noted that Australia has 18 commercial-scale CCS projects either operating, planned or in the test phase.

King said the government is reviewing the CCS regulatory regime to ensure it is "fit-for-purpose in a decarbonising economy". 

ARENA will provide up to $143 million to support the roll-out of up to 370 community batteries across Australia, under its Community Battery Funding Round 1.

The batteries will have an aggregated storage capacity of up to 281 MWh, and ARENA will contribute up to $0.51/Wh in grant funding against an average cost of $1.28/Wh.

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has registered a blue carbon project under the federal ACCU scheme. 

The pilot project is the first to be registered under the ACCU scheme's tidal restoration method, and is part of the Blue Heart initiative in the Maroochy River catchment, which is being developed by the council in conjunction with the state government and Unitywater.

The NSW government has released a major Climate vulnerability assessment that examines the impacts of future climate change on economically significant commodities.

The report, based on research over five years, notes that primary industries contribute about $21 billion annually to the state, and account for more than $13 billion (just over 10%) of the state's exports. 

It examines likely impacts on 28 economically significant commodities, and also assesses likely changes in biosecurity risks.

The NSW government has appointed Dr Paul Grimes as Chair of its Net Zero Commission. 

Other commissioners include Maria Atkinson, Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, Professor Frank Jotzo, Meg McDonald, and Professor Andy Pitman.

Stromlo Energy has made an EPBC referral for the proposed 680MW Devlins Bridge wind farm, which would be located west of Narrandera. 

The NSW government has placed on exhibition an EIS prepared by Ridgey Creek BESS Pty Ltd for a proposed $30 million, 130 MW/260 MWh battery energy storage system near Parkes.

The Victorian government is recruiting a director for a strategic review of the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.

The review will be conducted under the auspices of Solar Victoria, which is now responsible for delivery of the VEU scheme.

Baywa R.E has made an EPBC referral for the 312MW Wimmera Plains wind farm in north-west Victoria, which will have an associated 100MW/400MWh battery energy storage system.

OneSteel, trading as SIMEC Mining, has made an EPBC referral to expand magnetite production in its South Middleback Range mining area from under three million tonnes annually, to about 7.5 million tonnes.

The expansion project "represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of SIMEC Mining as it will convert a business primarily based upon hematite export to one underpinned by the production of high-quality magnetite products, necessary to produce low carbon iron", the referral says.

Horizon Power has released a knowledge sharing report on the ARENA-backed Denham Renewable Hydrogen Microgrid. 

The project, located in the coastal town of Denham, includes a 704kW solar farm, 348kW hydrogen electrolyser and a 100kW fuel cell, providing an alternative to diesel generators. It is expected to offset 140,000 litres of diesel each year.

Issue 51, 8 July 2024

Statutory development - Future Made in Australia. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has told Parliament the Future Made in Australia Bill will "deliver our country's next generation of prosperity".

The Bill gives legislative status to a National Interest Framework that has a net zero transformation stream as well as an economic resilience and security stream. 

The net zero transformation stream will identify sectors which could have a
sustained comparative advantage in a net zero global economy, and where
public investment is likely to be needed.

The Bill also provides for the conduct of sector assessments against the Framework, with these assessments then used as a basis for deciding on government investment, which would aim to unlock more private investment.

Investment decision-makers would also need to have regard to Community Benefit Principles, which are described in the Bill. Recipients of Future Made in Australia support in some cases would need to prepare a written Future Made in Australia Plan showing how their activities are consistent with the principles. 

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen introduced an associated omnibus amendments Bill that allows the government to make domestic investments through Export Finance Australia, if the necessary support is not available through existing funds.

The omnibus Bill will also expand the role of ARENA so it can support innovative technologies and facilities in priority sectors, such as green metals, low carbon liquid fuels, and clean energy manufacturing. 

As part of these changes, the Bill would amend the ARENA Act so that ARENA is also tasked to contribute to reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

The Senate has instigated a committee inquiry into the offshore wind consultation process, with a report due by the end of February.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has welcomed the release of a Green Building Council of Australia discussion paper on reporting and accounting for Scope 3 emissions in the property sector.

The discussion paper, prepared with CEFC support and assistance covers scenarios for buildings that are sold, leased, developed, or built, considering different lease types and their impact on emissions. 

The GBCA will use industry feedback from the discussion paper to create a comprehensive guidance document, in partnership with the Property Council.

NGER reporters can now make their next annual reports, with the Emissions and Energy Reporting System (EERS) now open for 2023–24 reporting. Reports must be lodged by 31 October. 

The Australian Accounting Standards Board has released a summary of decisions at its June Board meeting, dealing with issues including climate-related financial disclosures.

Consultation opportunity - managing coal plant closures. To manage the closure of coal-fired power stations, energy ministers have released an Orderly Exit Management Framework Draft Exposure Bill.

The Framework is intended to allow governments to temporarily seek an extension to their closing dates to maintain energy reliability and security. Comments on the exposure draft Bill and associated rules are due by 24 July. 

The federal government has released a market brief for the Capacity Investment Scheme Tender 2, which will focus on projects in WA.

Tender 2 is expected to open mid-July, and will target 500MW/2,000MWh of dispatchable capacity.

The CEFC is providing $250 million to auto and equipment finance lender Metro, which will in turn offer discounted loans to small businesses seeking electric vehicles, solar PV, batteries, and more efficient farming and building machinery.

Metro, which specialises in auto and equipment finance for businesses, as well as car finance for consumers, received $50 million from the CEFC in 2018, to encourage the take-up of lower emissions passenger and light commercial vehicles.

The Business Renewables Centre Australia has released a recording of its webinar on renewable fuels, with speakers including Energy Estate principal Simon Currie.

The Queensland government has named members of the new Queensland Energy System Advisory Board, which will advise on delivering a coordinated energy transition.

The new Board will be led by Leeanne Bond, a former board member of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and a director of Aurecon.

Other board members include Powerlink chief executive Professor Paul Simshauserand Jo Sheppard, chief executive of the Queensland Farmers Federation.

Acciona has made an EPBC referral for its proposed 1GW Herries Range wind farm, which would be located within the Southern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone.

Meanwhile, BayWa r.e has made an EPBC referral for a proposed 200MW/800MWh Battery Energy Storage System near Gladstone. 

Consultation opportunity - climate impact on heritage places. The Queensland government is seeking comments by 23 July on a proposed Heritage Climate Adaptation Plan.

The NSW government has released its response to the report of a parliamentary inquiry into undergrounding transmission infrastructure.

Ark Energy's 347MW Bowmans Creek wind farm near Muswellbrook has received EPBC approval, after receiving NSW approval in February.

Five businesses have been approved under Solar Victoria's $10 million residential electrification grants program to provide solar and electrification services to a minimum of 50 homes.

Solar Victoria had received 40 expressions of interest for funding through the program.

Agriculture Victoria is seeking views on a state wine strategy, and is inviting survey responses on matters including climate change adaptation and reducing the industry's environmental footprint.

Issue 50, 1 July 2024

Labor and Coalition members of a Senate committee inquiry into Senator David Pocock's intergenerational climate equity Bill - which would amend the Climate Change Act - have recommended that the Bill not be passed.

The private member's Bill would create new statutory duties requiring decision-makers to consider the health and wellbeing of children when making decisions that increase greenhouse gas emissions. 

It would also prevent approvals for the exploration or extraction of coal, oil or gas, if the resulting greenhouse gas emissions are likely to pose a material risk of harm to the health and wellbeing of current and future children.

In their majority report, government and Opposition senators recommend that the government consider using the Australian Human Rights Commission's Child Rights Impact Assessment Tool to assist in decision making.

In their dissenting reports, Senator Pocock and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young recommended passage of the Bill.

Academic Sarah Krause has told a Joint Treaties Committee hearing on an Australia-Tuvalu agreement that its "many notable elements" include the use of the term 'good neighbourliness'.

The term "has specific legal meaning under international environmental law", Krause told the inquiry. 

"The term refers to an obligation owed to neighbouring states to prevent the occurrence of transboundary environmental harm," she said. "Its usage in the treaty is distinctive, as it suggests that Australia recognises the specific legal obligations owed to its Pacific neighbours with respect to climate change." 

In addition to appointing former NSW Treasurer Matt Kean as the new Chair of the Climate Change Authority, the government has appointed Patty Akopiantz to the Authority's board. 

Akopiantz is is a co-founder of Assembly Climate Capital, an impact investment firm which invests in companies and ideas that can have significant climate impact. She is also a non-executive director of Sea Forest, which is pioneering the commercialisation of seaweed supplements to reduce animal methane emissions.

She is a member of Chief Executive Women, and is an external independent board member at KPMG.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has appointed former senior climate change bureaucrat Barry Sterland to the Productivity Commission. Sterland was most recently national lead and global co-lead of KPMG's climate advisory service.

ARENA has awarded a total of $1.98 million to 10 businesses to assess their capacity to use renewable technologies in novel ways.

The funding includes:

• $399,503 for G&K O’Connor to achieve comprehensive decarbonisation for a meat processing facility in Pakenham.
• $110,000 for Paper Australia to investigate using a deep-bore geothermal heating system for a proposed barramundi farm near its Maryvale mill.
• $149,850 for Unilever to develop a decarbonisation roadmap for three factories across NSW and Victoria.
• $242,924 for George Weston Food to modernise refrigeration infrastructure at a smallgoods facility in Castlemaine.
• $205,000 for Beston Global Food Company for site-wide energy efficiency and electrification projects at its Jervois cheese plant.
• $147,800 for Bindaree Beef to investigate biomass processing options to harness energy from waste and a meat processing facility in Inverell.

Meanwhile, ARENA will also provide grants totalling $143 million to support the roll out of up to 370 community batteries across Australia.

Consultation opportunity - hydrogen and critical minerals tax credits. Treasury has released discussion papers on its proposed tax incentives regimes for green hydrogen and critical minerals. Comments are due by 12 July.

ARENA has awarded a $12.8 million grant to freight and logistics provider ANC, to support its $45.5 million Project Spark initiative, which aims to overcome barriers that are deterring its owner-drivers from leasing electric vehicles.

ANC manages a network of contracted owner-drivers that provide last-mile delivery services to brands including IKEA, JB HI-FI, and Bunnings.  

More than half (54%) of the ASX200 now factor in climate change when determining executive bonuses, up from only 10% in FY20, a new Australian Council of Superannuation Investors analysis shows. 

However, the metrics used are often vague and opaque, the study says.  

The first auction of the Capacity Investment Scheme, which will support 6GW of new power, has received more than 40GW of project registrations, according to Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has released a 25-year roadmap to transition the National Electricity Market to net zero by 2050.

AEMO's Integrated System Plan confirms that renewable energy, firmed with storage, and backed by gas-powered generation, is the lowest-cost way to supply electricity to homes and businesses as Australia transitions to a net zero economy.

Resources Minister Madeleine King has issued two declarations regarding identified CO2 storage sites off the WA cost - one in the Cliff Head formation, and one in the Calliance formation.

The Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone transmission project has secured planning approval.

The project is expected to drive up to $20 billion in private investment in solar, wind and energy storage projects, supporting around 5,000 jobs during peak construction.

Planning approval of transmission lines will mean work can begin on the construction of about 240km of lines and supporting infrastructure within the Central West Orana REZ. 

The NSW Energy Corporation has made an EPBC referral for the Hunter transmission project, which will comprise a 500kV transmission line of around 100km, connecting two existing transmission lines. 

"It must be built by the end of 2028 to protect energy security in NSW as the remaining coal-fired powerstations close," the referral says. 

"The proposed action will provide 5GW of additional transfer capacity in the region and unlock the supply of electricity from the Central-West Orana and New England REZs," it says. 

"This electricity will be imported to the core grid via the 500 kV Ring and then delivered to consumers in the Hunter, Sydney andIllawarra where 80% of the State’s electricity is used," it says.

Submissions to a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into climate resilience are now available. The committee is due to report next June.

A separate committee inquiry into Victoria's 2022 flood event is due to report soon.

Tilt Renewables has made an EPBC referral for its proposed 288MW Palmer wind farm in South Australia.

Issue 49, 24 June 2024

"Nuclear energy for Australia is an idea whose time has come", according to a statement by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Nationals leader David Littleproud, and shadow climate change minister Ted O'Brien.

The opposition has proposed nuclear power plants at seven sites. 

Treasury has released a Sustainable Finance Roadmap, which aims to help mobilise large amounts of private capital to help Australia achieve net zero.

The Roadmap notes that Treasury will develop and publish best practice guidance for the disclosure of corporate transition plans by the end of 2025.

It will also start consultation early next year on a sustainable investment product labelling regime, with the aim of launching it in 2027.

The federal government has gazetted the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations. 

The federal government has offered feasibility licences to Equinor and Oceanex for the proposed Novocastrian wind farm in the Hunter offshore wind zone. 

Only one feasibility licence is being offered because the other seven applications for licences in the 1,854km² zone were for overlapping areas and were found by the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator to be of lower merit.

The Novocastrian wind project will have a capacity of more than 2GW, equivalent to powering 1.2 million homes, or two Tomago smelters. It would employ around 3,000 construction workers and create about 200–300 permanent local jobs. 

The proponents aim to start construction in 2028, with energisation of the first array of turbines in 2030.

A new embodied carbon issues paper, released by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council in conjunction with DCCEEW and NABERS, outlines work on embodied carbon at all levels of government, and describes challenges and potential solutions. 

The paper will be followed by a Comprehensive Policy Framework that will explore initiatives to complement the NABERS embodied carbon measurement methodology and tool that is now in its pilot phase. Comments on the paper are due by 26 July. 

Meanwhile, ACT Minister for Sustainable Building, Rebecca Vassarotti, said she had secured agreement at a national meeting of building ministers on Friday to establish a nationally consistent approach to measuring embodied emissions.

Vassarotti said she had successfully proposed at the meeting updates to the National Construction Code to ensure every jurisdiction consistently measures embodied carbon in the construction of commercial buildings, using the NABERS tool.

Communiques from building ministers' meetings are made available here.

Applications for funding through the ARENA-administered $100 million global Solar ScaleUp Challenge are now being accepted. Funding will be focused on projects and activities that can help:

• lower large-scale solar installation costs to 30 cents per watt.
• reduce electricity costs to below $20 per megawatt-hour by 2030.

Applications close in eight weeks, and shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a showcase event.

ARENA will provide a $3.2 million grant to Amber Electric for a residential trial of EV smart-charging and the provision of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services. Amber is developing a software solution to facilitate BEV smart charging and V2G charging.  

Bids must be submitted by next Monday for the Capacity Investment Scheme Tender 1, which aims to support about 6GW of renewable electricity generation across the NEM. 

The Board of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) visited Gladstone last week to discuss further potential investment opportunities.

The visit included a meeting with Alpha HPA, a company developing a high-purity alumina project in Gladstone, which NAIF is backing with a $200 million loan, as well as discussions with other local businesses and interest groups.

European Energy has made an EPBC referral for its proposed 1.3GW Upper Calliope solar farm, west of Gladstone. 

Rio Tinto has signed a contract to purchase all the electricity generated from the project to help power their three main assets in the region – the Boyne Island aluminium smelter, the Yarwun alumina refinery, and the Queensland alumina refinery. 

The project will contribute to Rio Tinto's objective of securing 4GW of wind and solar energy to provide clean power for the three operations, which currently rely on coal-fired electricity.

The Queensland government will establish a mini renewable energy zone in Caloundra, making it the first of 18 Local Renewable Energy Zones to be established across the state. 

The $40 million pilot Caloundra LREZ will allow renewable energy tobe shared among home and small business customers in the town, including those who haven’t been able to invest in solar power.

It will involve the deployment of up to 8.4MW/18.8MWh of battery storage, an additional 2.8MW of solar PV, and 0.9MW of demand management.

Former NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, who also served as Minister for Energy and Environment, has delivered his valedictory speech to the NSW Parliament, ahead of moving into private sector energy industry.

"Climate change is the challenge of our generation, which needs a once in a generation response" Kean said.

"We do not have higher electricity prices in Australia because we have too much renewable energy," he said. "We have higher electricity prices in Australia because we do not have enough renewable energy."

"We need gigawatts of renewables," Kean said.

The NSW Parliament has established a joint standing committee "to inquire into and report on Net Zero Future".

The inquiry will focus on matters including the exercise of the Net Zero Commission's functions, and the annual reports submitted by the Commission. 

Lower House members of the committee will include Labor MP Liza Butler (who will be the committee's deputy chair), Labor MP Trish Doyle (parliamentary secretary for climate change and the environment), and Liberal MP James Griffin (a former environment minister).

Upper House members will include cross-bencher Jeremy Buckingham (committee chair), Labor's Mark Buttigieg, and National's MLC Wes Fang.

tatutory development - clean energy. Parliament has passed the Energy Legislation Amendment (Clean Energy Future) Bill 2024.

Measures in the Bill:

• give legislative effect to the Strategic Benefits Payment Scheme that will provide landowners hosting transmission infrastructure with an extra $200,000 per kilometre, augmenting the existing one-off payment. 
• introduce an accelerated regulatory approval process for electricity system security infrastructure.
• clarify arrangements for giving green hydrogen producers a 90% discount on electricity network charges.
• exempt electricity purchased by battery facilities from liability under the Energy Savings Scheme and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme. 
• make adjustments to pipeline legislation in readiness for the transport of hydrogen and renewable fuels.

Statutory development - energy security. Parliament has passed the Energy Security Corporation Bill 2024, after accepting Greens amendments put forward in the Legislative Council. 

The Bill establishes an Energy Security Corporation that will be seeded with $1 billion, and will co-finance clean technology projects that improve the reliability, security and sustainability of electricity supply.

Consultation opportunity - coal-reliant communities. The NSW government is seeking feedback on a Future Jobs and Investment Authorities issues paper outlining options to support coal-reliant communities. 

The paper says the impacts of a decline in coal mining will likely be concentrated between 2030 to 2040, with 18 coal mines and three power stations expected to close during this time. This will impact about 13,000 direct jobs and about 21,000 indirect jobs across the state's four coal-reliant regions.

Investment case studies included in the report include a BlueScope master plan for the Illawarra that could create 30,000 jobs in emerging industries, and a potential lithium recycling facility on the Liddell/Bayswater power stations site. Comments are due by 12 July.

The ACT government has released a new Integrated Energy Plan for 2024 to 2030, and updated its Infrastructure Plan.

Measures in the Integrated Energy Plan include:

• considering "potential regulatory interventions to support electrification", which will involve "an initial assessment of measures to maximise replacement of gas appliances with electric appliances at end-of-life".   
• reviewing the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme.
• electrifying all feasible public and community housing by 2030.
• providing $5.2 million for a pilot to electrify the appliances of households that most need support.
• introducing a Retrofit Readiness Program to help multi-unit buildings develop a plan to electrify, and providing interest free loans for multi-unit buildings to become EV ready.
• reviewing unit titles management legislation to ensure it is fit-for-purpose to support electrification of multi-unit buildings.
• providing rebates of up to $3,000 for fleet operators to install EV chargers.
• providing training subsidies for priority trades.

The Infrastructure Plan includes a Climate Action, Energy and Environment component.

The federal Clean Energy Finance Corporation is providing an additional $127.5 million loan to help fast-track construction of the 577MW Stage 2 of TagEnergy's 1,333MW Golden Plains Wind Farm, near Geelong.

The CEFC commitment to Stage Two of of the Golden Plains wind farm takes its debt finance in the $4 billion mega project to $350 million. The CEFC previously invested $222.5 million in the 756MW stage one of the wind farm, which is nearing completion.

When both stages are completed in mid-2027, the 1,333MW wind farm will generate enough electricity to power more than 750,000 homes – the equivalent of every home in regional Victoria.

The Victorian government has launched a Renewable Homes Construction program which will run free training sessions in Melbourne and regional areas on how to build, design or retrofit homes to make them more energy efficient.

The program will also train builders on the new National Construction Code 2022 (NCC) which came into effect on 1 May 2024. 

The government is also developing training modules on Efficient Home Design and Construction that will augment its existing Net Zero Homes Skills modules.

The South Australian government has released a new Green Iron and Steel Strategy.

The strategy aims to establish a green iron industry and supply chain in South Australia, involving the establishment of a new hydrogen-based green iron plant by 2030.

The Australian Energy Market Operator's latest annual reliability outlook for WA's South West Interconnected System (SWIS), which presents a significantly improved near-term outlook compared to last year's report.

The improvement is the result of major investment in the SWIS, which is occurring "on a scale not seen in decades", AEMO said.

However, significant further capacity investment is still required, particularly from 2027 onwards.

Issue 48, 17 June 2024

Consultation opportunity - commercial building energy efficiency disclosure. By 2035, information on the energy efficiency of most major types of commercial buildings would have to disclosed when they are offered for sale or lease, a DCCEEW consultation paper proposes.

The introduction of disclosure requirements could be followed by the introduction of minimum energy performance standards, the paper proposes.

Currently, the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program only requires energy efficiency information to be provided when commercial office spaces of 1,000 square metres or more are offered for sale or lease. 

"Since 2010, there has been a 35% reduction in base building energy usage per square meter for disclosure-affected office buildings," the paper says, adding that it is estimated to have delivered $83 million in energy bill savings from 2010 to 2019. 

A supporting paper by KPMG points out that non-residential buildings contribute around 10% of total emissions in the economy, representing a significant opportunity to decarbonise.

The suggested changes would require legislative amendments. Comments are due by 13 September. 

In a related move, the government has released a report by consultancies Paper Giant and Arup that examines Barriers to building energy performance. 

Santos, Inpex, SunCable, government officials, Indigenous and environmental groups will be among those giving evidence to a Senate inquiry into the NT Middle Arm development on today and tomorrow. 

The federal government has declared an offshore wind zone in the Pacific Ocean off the Illawarra in NSW - marking the fourth offshore wind zone declared by the government. The final area for the zone is 1,022 km2 – a third less than was originally proposed.

Compliance with the Safeguard Mechanism has now become the primary driver of demand for ACCUs, according to the latest Quarterly carbon market report from the Clean Energy Regulator.

One million of the 1.2 million ACCUs surrendered to the Regulator and cancelled in the first quarter of 2024 were surrendered for compliance purposes, including 0.9 million ACCUs surrendered and cancelled for FY23 Safeguard compliance. 

FY23 was the last compliance year before the start of the reformed Safeguard Mechanism. 

In addition, Safeguard entities are continuing to accumulate ACCUs for use against future regulatory obligations, with ACCU holdings in Safeguard and Safeguard-related accounts totalling 19.6 million, half (51%) of total holdings, as at the end of March.

The report also says that the first quarter of this year set a Q1 record for approved large-scale clean energy generation, with 0.87GW of large-scale renewable power station capacity approved by the Regulator to generate LGCs. 

In Q1 2024, 0.72GW of large-scale renewable power station capacity reached a final investment decision, the report adds. 

Consultation opportunity - ACCU environmental plantings. DCCEEW has proposed re-making the ACCU method that allows carbon credits to be earned from environmental plantings projects, with some amendments. Comments are due by 15 July. 

The Australian Accounting Standards Board, which is developing a climate disclosure standard, has released several climate-related Board papers ahead of its upcoming 26 June Board meeting.

Papers deal with issues including climate scenario analysis, scope 3, and carbon credits. 

A new edition of the Global Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) Budget shows human-induced)N₂O emissions have increased by 40% in the past four decades, with the period between 2020-2022 showing an accelerated rate of growth. However, Australia's anthropogenic N₂O emissions have been stable over the past two decades.

The research was conducted by an international team of researchers, including CSIRO.

Agricultural production, due to the use of nitrogen fertilisers and animal manure, contributed 74% of total anthropogenic N₂O emissions in the last decade. 

Submissions to a Senate inquiry into the impact of climate risk on insurance are due by 2 July.

Statutory development - coexistence. Queensland's Gasfields Commission will now be known as Coexistence Queensland, and it will have an expanded role in ensuring agriculture, resources, and renewables industries can work cooperatively, following the passage of the Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. 

The Bill, which also amends the mining industry financial assurance scheme, is hereand an explanatory note is here.

The Queensland Budget has allocated $26 billion over four years to Queensland's energy transformation. Budget papers are available here. 

A trio of clean energy projects proposed for Queensland have made EPBC referrals over the past week - Edify Energy's proposed 200MW Callide solar power station project, Genex's proposed 258MW Kidston wind farm (related to the Kidston clean energy hub, and RWE's proposed 1,100MW Theodore wind farm. 

The Queensland government has tabled in Parliament a report on pumped hydro opportunities in Queensland.

At the behest of NSW Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, Planning Minister Paul Scully has told the Independent Planning Commission that the state's Climate Change Act 2023, and scientific advice that the state isn't on track to meet its targets, have ramifications for its decision-making.

As the government doubles down on efforts to address climate change, the Independent Planning Commission should have regard to the Act's targets, Minister Sharpe said in her letter to Minister Scully.

The Commission says on its website that it will explain how it has taken account of the targets in the statements of reasons that accompany its future decisions.

The NSW EPA is calling for nominations for members of its new Climate Change Community and Environment Advisory Group, which will complement existing advisory groups for the mining and agriculture sectors. 

Expressions of interest are open until 27 June. 

A Business Council of Australia submission to the NSW government's review of freight strategy says regulations that restrict the uptake of electric trucks should where practical removed. 

It calls for additional weight allowances for zero emissions trucks, to ensure they aren't penalised by their heavier power systems, and says vehicles with lower noise profiles (such as electric trucks) should be exempt from freight curfews.

The NSW government has hosted the NSW 2030 Renewable Workforce Roundtable in the Hunter as part of its development of a 2030 Renewable Workforce Plan.

The WA government says an environmental approval granted to Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) is the first project assessed through its Green Energy Approvals Initiative. 

YEC - in partnership with ACEN Australia - has received environmental approval for a 150MW solar project in the Pilbara, covered by the Yindjibarndi Native Title Determination Area.

The approved project is one of a suite of YEC solar, wind and storage proposals that are ultimately expected to have a joint capacity of 3GW. 

The assessment process was guided by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's Green Energy Directorate, which worked across multiple agencies to ensure an efficient approvals pathway for the project.

The first electric bus to be manufactured as part of a joint $250 million Australian and Western Australian government initiative has now been completed at the Volgren facility in Perth, and it will be commissioned in the next few months..

The Australian Government has committed $125 million toward electric bus charging infrastructure in Perth, combined with a $125 million commitment from the Western Australian government for the acquisition of 130 locally manufactured electric buses.

A total of 18 electric buses will be supplied, each able to travel 300 kilometres on a single charge. The cost to operate an electric bus across its 18-year service life is about $1 million less than current diesel buses, the state government says.

The NT EPA has issued a revamped version of its guidance on what information on greenhouse gas emissions should be included in referrals.

Issue 47, 10 June 2024

The House of Representatives has passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill, which will phase in a mandatory climate disclosure regime for large businesses. 

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor unsuccessfully moved a motion stating that most of Australia's trading partners do not require the reporting of scope 3 emissions, and the approach to disclosure in the Bill constitutes "a red tape bomb" that would ultimately raise prices.

The Bill now goes to the Senate.

DFAT will be among those giving evidence on 19 June to a Joint Standing Committee on Treaties inquiry into the Australia- Tuvalu agreement that deals with climate change cooperation and migration.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has told The Australian that a Coalition government would remain committed to net zero, but not the existing legislated 2030 emissions reduction target, or a 2035 target.

Meanwhile, in a speech to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dutton said the Coalitions energy goals are "Cheaper power. Consistent power. Cleaner power".

 This must involve an immediate ramping-up of domestic gas production and "next generation nuclear technologies", he said.

The Clean Energy Council has released a new report on The future of long-duration energy storage, which discusses emerging storage technologies -compressed air energy storage, thermal energy storage and redox flow batteries. 

Meanwhile, a separate CEC report shows Q1 2024 saw:

• Large-scale renewable generation projects continue to bounce back from the lows of 2023, with five projects totalling 895 MW of capacity reaching financial commitment during Q1 2024.
• Q1 2024 was the fourth consecutive quarter in which energy storage projects secured financial investment commitments over $1 billion.
• Investment levels in generation projects will need to increase further with financial commitments of at least 6 - 7 GW of new large-scale generation projects needed in 2024 (and successive years) to meet the Federal Government’s target of 82 per cent renewables by 2030.

Carbon project developer Agriprove has recently registered six new soil carbon projects in Queensland and South Australia.

Australia could have long-term comparative advantages for the production of green metals, says a new government discussion paper on Unlocking green metals opportunities. Comments are due by 14 July. 

The CEFC has made a $30 million financial commitment to support Team Global Express, one of Australia’s largest multi-modal transport and logistics operators, to accelerate the electrification of its truck fleet.

Team Global Express will use the finance to deploy more than 300 battery electric trucks, courier vans, hybrid refrigerated trucks and mobile charging units across sites in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland over the next three years.

CSIRO, is calling on SMEs working on clean energy solutions to apply to participate in its Innovate to Grow program, which gives them access to experts to help navigate technical and business challenges. 

CSIRO has partnered with Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) to deliver the program, and applications must be submitted by 23 June. 

An update of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions for the December 2023 quarter shows 432.9 million tonnes were emitted in the 2023 calendar year, a decrease of 0.5% compared with 2022.

The Climate Change Authority's 2035 targets review has received submissions from organisations including:

• The Centre for Policy Development, which says the Safeguard should be "consistently expanded" until it operates as an economy-wide carbon price, and which recommends a 2035 target of a 71% to 90% emissions reduction from 2005 levels. 
• ACOSS, which rejects as inadequate the Authority's suggestion that Australia's 2035 emissions reduction target to be a 65% to 75% reduction on 2005 levels. o be a 65%-75% reduction on 2005 levels. 
• the Carbon Market Institute, which says the Authority should provide advice on planning and regulation to facilitate a fossil fuel phase out, in partnership with Australia's key trading partners.

The Queensland Investment Corporation will be a cornerstone investor in a Climate and Nature Impact Venture Fund launched by global investment and advisory firm Pollination.

The Fund, which will be open to wholesale and institutional investors only, will seek to invest in a portfolio of early stage climate and nature solutions. It is targeting final close of $150 million and aims to make investments of between $4 million and $12 million.

The Fund will focus on investments in Australia and some other OECD economies, and is expected to start making investments later this year. 

The Queensland Budget will be handed down tomorrow, with Premier Steven Miles signalling "a record $26 billion invested in the renewable energy and jobs plan over the next four years – a boost from the $19 billion in last years Budget".

Statutory development - energy security. The government has introduced the Energy Security Corporation Bill. The Energy Security Corporation will be seeded with $1 billion, and will co-finance clean technology projects that improve the reliability, security and sustainability of electricity supply.

The ESC is modelled on the CEFC and will offer concessional debt financing, and make equity investments. It will have the capacity to collaborate with the CEFC. 

"While the grid is decarbonising, we need to make sure the system can provide enough power to keep the lights on," said Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib when introducing the Bill. "Electricity needs to remain secure and reliable."

Statutory development - clean energy future. The government has introduced the Energy Legislation Amendment (Clean Energy Future) Bill, which amends five pieces of legislation. Measures in the Bill:

• give legislative effect to the Strategic Benefits Payment Scheme that will provide landowners hosting transmission infrastructure with an extra $200,000 per kilometre, augmenting the existing one-off payment. 
• introduce an accelerated regulatory approval process for electricity system security infrastructure.
• clarify arrangements for giving green hydrogen producers a 90% discount on electricity network charges.
• exempt electricity purchased by battery facilities from liability under the Energy Savings Scheme and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme. 
• make adjustments to pipeline legislation in readiness for the transport of hydrogen and renewable fuels.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition the referral for the 1.3GW Pottinger wind farm, which is a joint venture between AGL and Someva Renewables. The $2.2 billion project, which would include a battery energy storage system, would be built near Hay. 

The project is part of the Pottinger Energy Park, which would also include a 300MW solar farm.

Consultation opportunity - energy efficiency standards for rentals. Draft energy efficiency regulations would require that rental properties in Victoria have specified thermal comfort and energy efficiency measures in place when new leases are signed, with effect from from 30 October next year.

The regulations would require that rental properties have ceiling insulation, fixed heating and cooling, draught protection, efficient hot water systems, and efficient shower heads. Comments close on 1 July.

Energy efficiency grants. A total of $20 million will be offered in Round 2 of South Australia's Economic Recovery Fund, providing up to 8,000 small businesses and non-profits with grants of up to $50,000 to invest in energy efficient equipment. Applications are expected to open in August. The grants will be offered through the Office for Small and Family Business.

Epic Energy has made an EPBC referral for the Whyalla Hydrogen Pipeline (WHP), which would transport hydrogen from the proposed Whyalla hydrogen facility to Port Bonython, covering a distance of about 43 kilometres.

A company has made an EPBC referral to establish a green steel mill at Collie. The electric arc furnace plant would recycle 500,000 tonnes of WA scrap steel annually - all of which is currently exported. 

"In doing so, the plant will create for the first time, a true a circular economy for steel in WA while abating between 200,000 and 800,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum compared to existing methods of steel production," the referral says.

Acting on the advice of the Appeals Convenor, Environment Minister Reece Whitby has determined that the EPA was justified in not requiring assessment of a proposed onshore conventional gas development project.

The Appeals Convenor found that carbon emissions from Strike Energy's proposed South Erragulla conventional gas development would be under threshold levels.

The state government has named Curtin University as the operator of the state's new GreenTech Hub, which will help build state-wide capability and capacity in green technologies and services. The hub will be jointly funded by the state government and Chevron.

The final report is now available for Project Symphony, an ARENA-backed pilot program in WA that established a virtual power plant involving more than 500 households.

Issue 46, 3 June 2024

The federal government has appointed Dr Iain Ross as acting Chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency, and he will become its permanent chair once legislation to establish the body as an Authority is passed. Greg Combet has until now acted in the role in an interim capacity. 

Debate on the establishing legislation is expected to conclude in the House of Representatives this week, and the Bill will then go to the Senate.

Statutory development - vehicle emission standards. The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Bill has received Assent, after passing Parliament earlier this month.

The CEFC has confirmed its first investment via the $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund (HEUF), which consists of a $60 million commitment to consumer lender Plenti.

The CEFC commitment will support cheaper finance for solar PV, home batteries and other energy efficiency upgrades via discounts on Plenti green loans of up to 2.74% annually.

In addition, eligible customers can get a further 0.6% discount on the green loan if they sign up to a Virtual Power Plant through Plenti’s point-of-sale platform, GreenConnect.

ARENA has awarded a $1.2 million grant to the Australian Energy Market Operator and AusNet to co-design a Consumer Energy Resources (CER) Data Exchange.

The CER Data Exchange aims to simplify and support CER integration into the National Electricity Market.

ARENA is also providing $337,000 to GridWise Energy Solutions for its $800,000 'Dynamic Model Validation' project.

The project will create a standardised assessment platform for project developers to self-validate their renewable energy generator models before making connection applications to network businesses and AEMO.

Australia and the EU have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that is intended to be a platform for forging deeper links between the two economies on critical and strategic materials supply chains.

The partnership follows the recent implementation of the EU’s new Critical Raw Materials Act.

The Clean Energy Regulator has released its latest RET monthly market data.

Senate Estimates transcripts relevant to the environment and climate change portfolios are available here and here.

The Queensland government will introduce a legislative ban on carbon capture and storage in the Great Artesian Basin in the state. The ban will also extend to oil or petroleum recovery activities that propose injecting CO2 to enhance oil and gas recovery. 

Statutory development - renewable energy. The Queensland government has gazetted the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Regulation on the same day that key provisions of the parent Act came into force. 

The Regulation supports the Act by prescribing the organisations from which representatives may be appointed as members of the Energy Industry Council.

The NSW government has given planning approval to a $207.6 million hydrogen hub in the Hunter.

The State Significant Development at Kooragang Island, led by Origin Future Fuels, will start construction in mid-2025.  The hub will initially deliver approximately 55 megawatts of electrolyser capacity by 2026, with the aim of scaling up to over 1 gigawatt of capacity over the next decade.

The majority of the hydrogen will go to Orica’s nearby ammonium nitrate manufacturing facility to help decarbonise its operations by partially substituting green hydrogen for fossil gas.

The NSW government has launched a tender round that is expected to provide financial support for up to 1GW of long-duration energy storage projects. The tender will take NSW closer to its target of 2GW of new long-duration storage by 2030.

The tender will also seek to allocate up to an initial 3.98GW of Access Rights in the South West Renewable Energy Zone.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has gazetted the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (Amendment No. 1) Rule, which specifies provisions for the calculation and creation of Peak Reduction Certificates for prescribed activities.

The NSW government has placed on public exhibition EnergyAustralia's plan for a Battery Energy Storage System next to its Mt Piper power station, which would have a capacity of up to 500MW and duration of up to four hours. 

The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has released its solar feed-in tariff benchmarks for FY25, which lowers the benchmark rate to between 4.9 to 6.3 c/kWh.

Consultation opportunity - Marinus EIS. The Victorian government is inviting comments on the draft EIS for the Victorian part of Marinus Link interconnecter between Tasmania and Victoria.

Key elements of the project in Victoria include subsea cables, a shore crossing at Waratah Bay, underground cables, and a convertor station. The EIS is best viewed here. Comments are due by 12 July.

Victoria's shadow energy minister David Davis unsuccessfully sought to move a motion in state Parliament calling on the state government to amend its Gas Substitution Roadmap, in particular the ban on gas connections in new homes, given that no such ban is proposed in the federal Future Gas Strategy. 

The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning has accepted a referral for RES Australia's proposed Cannie wind farm, to be located near Kerang. The wind farm would have a capacity of up to 1,300MW.

The project also includes a Battery Energy Storage System with 200MW/80MWh of storage capacity.

Issue 45, 27 May 2024

The CEFC has announced its single largest transaction - a $490 million commitment to NSW EnergyCo to accelerate the delivery of grid infrastructure in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone. 

EnergyCo estimates the finance agreement has the potential to deliver as much as a nominal $240 million in benefits to NSW electricity consumers in the form of lower project costs over the 20-year tenure of the loan.

The CEFC commitment will lower the overall financing costs, and will also support the acquisition of biodiversity offsets.

Consultation opportunity - transport. The federal government has released a consultation roadmap on achieving net zero in the transport sector. 

Australia's transport sector is the third largest source of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, amounting to 21% of national emissions in 2023. Since 2005, transport sector greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 19%.

A webinar will take place on 4 June, and comments on the consultation roadmap are due by 26 July.

The CSIRO's final GenCost report reaffirms that renewables, including associated storage and transmission costs, remain the lowest cost, new build technology out to 2050.

GenCost found nuclear is not economically competitive with renewables and the total development time in Australia for large or small-scale nuclear, is at least 15 years.

The report includes a Frequently Asked Questions section at Appendix D.

The government has released more details on how it will allocate $63.8 million announced in the Budget for measures to reduce agriculture emissions.

The largest allocation - $30.8 million over four years - will go towards outreach and education initiatives. 

The next largest allocation, of $28.7 million over 10 years, will go to improved greenhouse gas accounting in the agriculture and land sector.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has published an update to its Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO), which forecasts reliability gaps in all mainland regions of the NEM over the outlook period.

Compared to the 2023 ESOO central scenario, reliability risks have increased in NSW and Victoria from FY25 to FY28, and increased in South Australia in FY27. 

"Federal and state government programs, actionable transmission developments, orchestrated consumer investments and demand flexibility have the potential to address the majority of forecast reliability risks," AEMO says.

Reliability risks have increased in NSW due to delays to battery projects and revised demand assumptions, AEMO says, with Victoria's increased risks due to mothballed generators in SA, and transmission line limitations.

The federal government has released a National Battery Strategy, which notes that Australia mined about 45% of the world's lithium in 2023, but makes less than 1% of global battery materials or components.

The $523.2 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative, announced in the Budget, is a cornerstone element of the new strategy.

The Clean Energy Council has released a report by Egis Consulting on the Levelised Cost of Electricity, which compares the cost of nuclear and renewables.

The Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has determined the CTSCo Surat Basin Carbon Capture and Storage Project is not suitable to proceed due to potential impacts on groundwater resources in the Great Artesian Basin.

The project was rejected because the CO2 would have been injected into an unconfined aquifer, and the CO2 could migrate.

Consultation opportunity - assessing and managing carbon emissions from new projects. Proponents of large-emitting projects would have to provide much more detailed information about their potential emissions, and their alignment with government targets, under two new NSW EPA draft documents.

The requirements are described in a proposed Climate Change Assessment Requirements and an accompanying Greenhouse Gas Assessment Guide for Large Emitters.

Proponents of new or modified projects will have to conduct a greenhouse gas assessment report containing specified information, and prepare a greenhouse gas mitigation plan, as well as a climate change mitigation and adaptation plan. 

They will also have to demonstrate they will be adopting a hierarchy of actions to avoid, reduce or substitute emissions, before using carbon credits.

The requirements will apply to facilities expected to emit at least 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas annually. Proponents expecting their facility to emit more than 100,000 tonnes annually will need to have their assessment report independently reviewed. 

Eventually, all EPA licensees will have to prepare climate change mitigation and adaptation plans. Comments are due by 1 July. 

The NSW government has signed an agreement with Origin Energy to operate the Eraring coal-fired power plant - which provides about 18% of the state's electricity - until August 2027. 

Under the arrangement, the state government will underwrite Origin against a share of its potential financial loss from extending operations at Eraring. 

Origin had previously announced it intended to close Eraring as early as August 2025. 

The NSW government has announced it will subsidise the installation of small business and household batteries through its Peak Demand Reduction Scheme. 

It will offer subsidies of between $1,600 and $2,400. In addition, if the battery is connected to a Virtual Power Plant, an additional incentive of between $500 and $800 can be claimed over a three-year period.

Consultation opportunity - community benefits. Victoria's VicGrid has released a draft Renewable Energy Zone Community Benefits Plan, with comments are due by 16 June.

Under the proposed plan, landholders who host new transmission infrastructure will receive $8,000 per kilometre annually, for 25 years, on top of existing compensation arrangements.

Benefits at the same rate will also be paid into REZ Community Energy Funds that will support energy-related projects in REZ host regions. 

One-off payments will also be made to significantly impacted neighbours, up to a maximum of $40,000.

A formal Expressions of Interest process for companies to partner in developing a green iron industry and supply chain in South Australia will open in June, the SA government has confirmed.

The EOI will seek interest from companies to jointly investigate the development of a hydrogen-based direct reduction iron (DRI) plant in South Australia before the end of the decade.

A recent study commissioned by the state government concluded that a vertically integrated production model, in which a single entity controls all stages of the green iron value chain, from renewable energy and hydrogen supply to final iron production, could produce iron for $678 per tonne.

In contrast, if different entities control various parts of the supply chain, the costs are likely be up to $862 per tonne.

The WA government has released a revised state Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy, which is far more detailed than the 2020 version.

Issue 44, 20 May 2024

A Treasury guide to Future Made in Australia spending and initiatives contained in the Budget is available here. 

A Treasury supporting paper on the National Interest Framework that underpins the Future Made in Australia initiative is available here. 

An outline of Budget energy initiatives, prepared by Energetics, is available here. BCSDA members can access a summary of Budget initiatives here.

Statutory development - vehicle efficiency standards. Parliament has passed legislation establishing vehicle efficiency standards.

The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Bill will reduce CO2 emissions from new cars, SUVs, utes and vans, and stimulate the provision of low and zero emissions vehicles. It will be underpinned by a trading scheme for emissions credits. 

Opposition members of a Senate committee inquiry into a Bill that would establish the Net Zero Economy Authority have recommended that the proposed legislation not be passed.

The proposed new Authority would duplicate the role of organisations such as the CEFC and ARENA, and various state bodies, the Coalition members of the committee said.

The majority of committee members have recommended that the Bill be passed. 

The Senate has agreed to a Greens motion to establish a Select Committee on the Impact of Climate Risk on Insurance Premiums and Availability, with a reporting date of 19 November. The inquiry home page is here. 

Court ruling - climate change. The Federal Court has rejected appeals by the Environment Council of Central Queensland against decisions by the federal Environment Minister to grant EPBC approval for two coal mine extensions.

The Energy Efficiency Council has released a summary of discussions at its inaugural industrial decarbonisation summit.

The Sydney-based Climate Recovery Institute has released a white paper on building an atmospheric carbon removal industry, and another on catalysing a carbon removal industry. 

"Each jurisdiction that wishes to have a carbon removal industry at a Paris-aligned scale needs to lay the foundations urgently and use well targeted mechanisms to accelerate its development," the Institute says.

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute will launch the first round of public consultation on the development of an Australian sustainable finance taxonomy on Tuesday 28 May. Registrations are now being accepted for the launch webinar.

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved a proposal by a Squadron Energy subsidiary for a 64MW gas-fired firming power station and associated hydrogen generation plant at a site north of Dubbo.

The $190 million project will initially operate on fossil gas, but will be capable of operating on a blend of up to 25% hydrogen, as well as on biofuels.

Approval conditions include a requirement that the company report every three yeas on the feasibility of going beyond a 25% blend of hydrogen.

The state government has released First Nations Guidelines for the Hunter-Central Coast and the South West Renewable Energy Zones (REZs), augmenting its earlier Guideline for the Central West Orana REZ.

New Victorian grants for large gas users. Applications are being accepted from large gas users until 30 September to help fund feasibility studies into switching to efficient electric alternatives.

The Large Energy User Electrification Support Program will provide up to $60,000 per site – or $66,000 for regional sites that use between 10 and 100 terajoules of gas per year. 

Victoria's Governor has given Royal Assent to the Energy and Public Land Legislation Amendment (Enabling Offshore Wind Energy) Bill 2024, and the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid) Bill 2024.

The Victorian government has released a discussion paper on a proposed update of the Victorian Freight Plan. 

The paper highlights the increasing occurrence of extreme events that can affect supply chains, and also discusses the freight sector's potential contribution to decarbonisation. Comments are due by 30 June.

South Australia has signed a clean energy letter of cooperation with the State of California, during a trip by Premier Peter Malinauskas to the United States.

WA grant opportunity - decarbonisation. Applications for grants of between $5 million and $15 million are now being accepted by a state government/Chevron backed fund. 

The fund supports large research and innovation activities that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions or test, demonstrate and deploy technologies that support lower carbon projects. Applications must be lodged by 6 June.

Grant opportunity - clean energy. The WA government is offering grants of up to $4 million in the latest round of its Clean Energy Future Fund. The fund supports innovative projects to decarbonise existing industry, develop new renewable energy businesses and improve energy efficiency.

Applications must be submitted by 10 June.

Issue 43, 13 May 2024

Bid registrations for a forthcoming Capacity Investment Scheme tender for 6GW of renewable energy capacity will open on 16 May, according to a Market Brief. 

Minimum capacity targets for each jurisdiction are - NSW 2.2GW, SA 0.3GW, Victoria 1.4GW, and Tasmania 0.3GW. The remaining 1.8GW will be allocated across the NEM, based on merit.

The federal government's new Future Gas Strategy incorporates six guiding principles, including getting to net zero and keeping gas affordable.

The other four principles are - finding new sources of gas to meet demand, shifting gas consumption to higher-value and non-substitutable uses, adapting the gas and electricity markets, and remaining a reliable trading partner for gas. 

The strategy also flags that the government will establish a new Transboundary Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Program "which will provide options for energy security and carbon management solutions for our regional partners". 

The strategy is accompanied by an action plan, and is supported by an analytical report prepared by the Office of the Chief Economist.

The CEFC has invested $15 million in a US$111 million capital raise by Australian advanced electrolyser technology company Hysata.

Templewater and bp Ventures led the investment round, with strong backing from existing major strategic and financial investors IP Group Australia, Kiko Ventures, Hostplus, Vestas Ventures, and BlueScopeX.

Australia wants to host the COP31 climate talks partly because of its own commitment to action on climate change and also to elevate Pacific voices, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has told a press conference in Adelaide.

The federal government will expand its New Energy Apprenticeships Program so that it subsidises apprentices and trainees in a wider range of sectors. It will also remove a requirement that an apprentice's work be solely dedicated to clean energy, "whilst retaining a clean energy skilling purpose for the apprenticeship".

The Queensland government will provide $20 million from its Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund to support drill testing and trial mining at Australia's largest tungsten mine, in Far North Queensland.

The underground deposit of EQ Resources' existing open pit Mt Carbine Tungsten Mine is still relatively unexplored. Tungsten is used in a range of renewable energy applications, including solar cells, wind turbines, and batteries.

The Queensland government will provide $448.2 million from the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund to Stanwell, to double the size of a proposed battery at the Stanwell power station.

Storage will increase from 150MW/300MWh (two-hour duration) to a 300MW/1,200MWh (four-hour duration) battery system.

The EIS for Engie's proposed The Plains wind farm near Hay in NSW, with a capacity of 1,350MW, is now on public exhibition, with comments due by 4 June.

The Victorian budget boosts the metropolitan industrial and municipal waste levy to $167.9 a tonne from 1 July 2025, up from the current $129.27, according to the Waste Management Review. The levy will also be proportionally increased at rural landfills, which are set lower than metropolitan areas.

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association welcomed the change, saying it would align Victoria's landfill levy with the NSW rate. The Ai Group said the increases were "relatively modest", but would increase business costs. The Budget also includes:

• More than $18 million to plan for offshore wind generation, "and $17 million to continue planning, and designing, a renewable energy terminal at the Port of Hastings".
• an extra $37.7 million for the Solar Homes program, which has so far provided rebates totalling $624 million.
• $17.5 million "to accelerate the renewable energy transition with earlier biodiversity assessments and better planning processes for new projects".
• $44 million to the EPA "to crack down on illegal dumping and other waste crimes which threaten our environment".
• $12.5 million for VicGrid to continue developing the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework.
• a further $15 million to progress the state’s circular economy targets "and support Recycling Victoria to boost recycling and help households cut down waste".

The Budget also includes $5.9 million for a strategic review of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, according to the Energy Savings Institute of Australia.

A new Gas Distribution Code of Practice will take effect on 1 October. The new code will require gas distributors to provide clear information to customers on their websites, including on how customers can disconnect or abolish their gas connections. 

The Tasmanian government has signalled it will be retrospectively amending the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy.

The move will remove grounds for an appeal against ACEN's proposed Robbins Island wind farm. The Bob Brown Foundation has criticised the move.

With the help of a $6.2 million ARENA grant, SA Power Networks will lead a $13.8 million Energy Masters trial project that will demonstrate the benefits of demand flexibility, smart appliances and smart energy management systems in homes.

Statutory development - carbon capture. The state Parliament has passed the Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill, which provides a legislative framework for the transport and geological storage of greenhouse gas.

The Bill also enables exploration for naturally-occurring hydrogen.

Gina Rinehart's Atlas Iron has lost an appeal in which it argued that the quantity of emissions from its proposed McPhee Creek iron ore project didn't meet WA EPA criteria for assessment.

The EPA had proposed greenhouse gas conditions for the project, on the basis that its annual scope 1 and 2 emissions would be just over the 100,000 tonne threshold.

However, Atlas Iron argued to the WA Appeals Convenor that the EPA had incorporated an annual 70,450 tonnes of greenhouse gas from haulage activities as part of the project's scope 1 and 2 emissions.

The company said the emissions should have been treated as scope 3, in line with NGER criteria.

But the Appeals Convenor found that the EPA was correct in concluding that "greenhouse gas emissions resulting from haulage of iron ore to a processing facility, regardless of contracting arrangements, should be considered Scope 1 emissions".

"This is consistent with other EPA reports for contemporary assessments in the region, where haulage has been considered by the EPA as a part of its assessments," it said.

The NGER Act "is deliberately flexible, and differences between State and Commonwealth may occur", it said.

Issue 42, 6 May 2024

Statutory development - climate risk disclosure. The Coalition is wary of a government Bill mandating climate risk disclosure, a new Senate committee reporton the Bill shows.

Coalition members of a Senate committee inquiring into the Bill said they had "significant concerns about the scope, design, and implementation" of the Bill's climate disclosure provisions. 

"The Coalition will continue to reserve its final position ... until it is satisfied these concerns are properly addressed," Coalition senators said. 

The Greens, in their additional comments, call for mandatory scenario analysis, as did independent Senator David Pocock.

The comments by the various parties suggest that the government will need to make scenario analysis mandatory in order to secure passage of the legislation, if the Opposition decides to vote against the Bill.

The forthcoming Future Made in Australia Act will specify five key tests for determining whether government support will be considered, according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers: 

• Is the industry one where we can be competitive, and more productive?
• Does it contribute to an orderly path to net zero?
• Can it "build the capabilities of our people and especially our regions"?
• Will it improve Australia’s national security and economic resilience?
• Does it recognise the key role of the private sector and deliver genuine value for money for government?

The Act will also outline criteria for two streams - a national interest stream, and a net zero transformation stream, Chalmers told the Lowy Institute.

Energy ministers have revealed how they want the Australian Energy Market Operator to approach the preparation of its next Integrated System Plan.

Ministers want a better integration of gas into the 2026 ISP, which will involve AEMO collecting information on gas pipeline closures or conversions, and on the long-term ramifications of biomethane and hydrogen for gas generator fuel costs. 

They also want:

• better demand forecasting.
• an analysis of alternative coal-fired generation shutdown scenarios".
• consideration of community sentiment impacts. 

The Australian National Audit Office has concluded that the Clean Energy Regulator's administration of the ACCU scheme is "largely effective", in a new audit report.

The audit report makes only one recommendation, which is directed at DCCEEW, and not at the Clean Energy Regulator.

Representatives of Glencore told the Senate greenwashing inquiry that although the company has recently dropped its coal annual production cap of 150 million tonnes, which was introduced in 2019, the company now has "enhanced" emissions reduction targets that mean production won't exceed the cap.

A group of 14 Australian and international marine and climate scientists has written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing the extent of bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef, and saying Australia's new national nature protection laws must be delivered before the end of this term. 

"They must include a clear requirement to assess whether projects will cause more climate harm for nature as part of the assessment process," the letter says. 

New grants for startups and SMEs. Applications for grants of up to $5 million to help innovative startups and SMEs to commercialise their ideas are now available through the Industry Growth Program. Grant scheme priorities include renewables, and value-adding in resources. 

Meanwhile, the Australian Hydrogen Council (through its business arm Hydrogen Mobility Australia) has received a $920,000 grant to advise start-ups and SMEs that are participating in the Industry Growth Program.

The Clean Energy Regulator has included four NGER reporters (three of them covered by the Safeguard) in its annual audit program "because we were unable to satisfactorily verify the accuracy of their reports based on a desktop assessment".

Consultation - NGER. DCCEEW is consulting on the latest proposed annual changes to the NGER Scheme, which include: 

• phasing out the use of default emission factors to calculate fugitive emissions from open-cut coal mines.
• publicly disclosing the method used by coal, oil and fossil gas companies to calculate fugitive methane emissions.

Comments are due by 24 May. 

Consultation opportunity - landfill gas. DCCEEW has released a discussion paper on proposed changes to the ACCU Scheme's landfill gas methods. Comments are due by 31 May. 

DCCEEW has also released submissions to its consultation paper on proposed second tranche changes to the ACCU scheme.

The federal government has appointed former secretary of the federal environment department, Dr Paul Grimes, to the independent committee that oversees the integrity of ACCU scheme methods. 

Dr Grimes has also held senior roles in the NSW public service (where he was secretary of Treasury), and in the South Australian and Victorian public services.

"If we are to successfully meet the great global challenge of climate change, we must have government programs and regulations that have deep integrity and rigour," Grimes said. 

"It is wonderful being able to join the committee and contribute to its work supporting the ACCU Scheme alongside the dedicated public servants in DCCEEW and the Clean Energy Regulator."

The Victorian Opposition will attempt to revoke in the Legislative Council a Planning Scheme Amendment that removes the right for opponents of renewable energy projects to make appeals to VCAT.

The motion would need the support of most minor parties in order to succeed.

Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security, David Davis, said the government was "adopting a scorched earth policy, imposing wind and solar farms and long-distance high voltage transmission wires on communities without their approval or social licence".

The newly appointed board of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria will be chaired by high-profile renewable energy industry figure and former ACT climate change and energy minister Simon Corbell. 

Other board members include Anna Skarbek, Jo Benvenuti and Damien Barnes. 

The federal government has issued the first offshore wind feasibility licences for the seas of Gippsland, with recipients including the proponent of the Star of the South project. 

Other recipients are High Sea Wind Pty Ltd, Gippsland Skies Pty Ltd, Blue Mackerel North Pty Ltd, Kut-Wut Brataualung Pty Ltd, and Ørsted Offshore Australia 1 Pty Ltd (Gippsland 01).

The Government intends to grant another six feasibility licences, subject to First Nations consultation, to Iberdrola Australia OW 2 Pty Ltd (Aurora Green), Greater Gippsland 2 OWP Project Pty Ltd (Gippsland Dawn), Navigator North Project Pty Ltd, Ørsted Offshore Australia 1 Pty Ltd (Gippsland 02), Kent Offshore Wind Pty Ltd, and the Great Eastern Offshore Wind Farm Project Co Pty Ltd.

The 12 projects could generate 25 GW of electricity, which is more electricity that the entire state of Victoria generated last year.

Issue 41, 29 April 2024

The Australian Accounting Standards Board has announced it aims to release its Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards on climate-related financial disclosures by the end of August this year. The AASB released drafts of the standards last October.

The Clean Energy Regulator has opened a new "exit window" opportunity for carbon project developers that are interested in exiting their contracts to deliver ACCUs to the government, so they can instead sell them on the private market. 

In this fourth exit window round, developers must deliver at least 20% of their contracted delivery volume before they will be allowed to exit their contracts. 

The Regulator expects that between 9 to 15 million ACCUs will be become available to the market during the exit window, excluding between 2 to 4 million ACCUs that will be delivered to the government to meet the 20% delivery requirement.

Fifteen organisations representing business, finance and investors have jointly backed a government Bill to establish a mandatory climate related financial disclosures framework.

The signatories include the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Business Council of Australia, the Investor Group on Climate Change, and the Property Council of Australia.

Organisations including ASIC, Treasury, the ASX, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Investor Group on Climate Change, and the Carbon Market Institute appeared before a Senate committee hearing into the Bill to establish a mandatory climate related financial disclosures framework. Transcript is available here.

Consultation - costs and benefits of transmission infrastructure. How to value emissions reductions is one of the issues canvassed in an Australian Energy Regulator consultation paper on assessing the costs and benefits of transmission infrastructure. Comments are due by 5 June, and there will be a webinar on valuing emissions on 14 May. 

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has announced grants for nine industrial decarbonisation projects totalling $330 million under its Our Powering the Regions Fund. 

Companies benefiting from the grants include QAL, Alumina, AdBri, Shoalhaven Starches, CSBP, and Liberty Steel Group.

The government is also inviting further grant applications (with individual grants of up to $50 million available) under its Safeguard Transformation Stream. Applications close on 1 November. 

Consultation - Solar Sunshot. ARENA has invited comments by 31 May on the design of the government's $1 billion Solar Sunshot program.

Renewable energy generation drove down wholesale electricity prices in the first quarter of 2024, despite higher temperatures pushing up demand, according to new data from the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Total electricity generation in Australia remained steady in 2023 with an estimated 273,106GWh generated, according to new government data.

Renewable sources contributed an estimated 95,963GWh, making up 35% of Australia’s total electricity generation, up 3 percentage points on its 2022 share .

The largest source of renewable generation was solar (16% of total generation), followed by wind (12%), and hydro (6%).

The statistics cover all electricity generation in Australia, including by power plants and by businesses and households for their own use. 

Queensland's Coordinator-General has declared the Capricornia Pumped Hydro Energy Storage and Transmission project to be a coordinated project, due to its significance and complexity, and work will now start on the draft terms of reference for the project's EIS.

The $2.87 billion project, which is being developed by the Capricornia Energy Hub, will have a stored capacity of up to 750MW for approximately 16 hours for a 24 hour period.

A solar farm and wind farm could eventually be located near the pumped hydro project.

The Victorian government is developing a new handbook for renewable energy project developers that will incorporate new state-wide maps that identify key habitat areas for native wildlife. 

By October 2024, it will also finalise research on the potential impact of wind turbines on threatened bird and bat species. 

The statutory guidance in the handbook will include 

• a new list of at-risk wildlife that renewable energy developers will need to consider in their planning
• measures that they can take to prevent harm to those species.
• a template for bat and bird management plans.

Horizon Power will this month start a one-year trial of Vehicle-to-Grid capability, in partnership with the Gascoyne Development Commission, Shire of Exmouth, Exmouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Exmouth Hospital.

Issue 40, 22 April 2024

The Clean Energy Regulator has released the latest detailed annual reports from 25 companies that have voluntary disclosed their emissions and renewable energy performance through the Regulator's Corporate Emissions Reduction Transparency (CERT) regime.

Reporters include AGL, Aldi, Aurizon, Coles, Fletcher Building, Fortescue, Orica, Woodside, and Woolworths. 

Of the 25 participating companies:

• 20 have commitments to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and six of these companies are already carbon neutral.
• 11 have emissions reduction or emissions intensity reduction commitments that include scope 3 emissions.
• 13 have commitments to reach 100% renewable electricity use by 2030.

The federal government has announced what it terms "the largest single ever tender for renewable energy in Australia".

The national Capacity Investment Scheme tender will launch in May and will target 6GW of generation. 

At least 2.2GW will be from NSW, and an allocation of at least 300MW will be dedicated to South Australian projects.

The NSW agreement builds on the first CIS/NSW Roadmap pilot tender conducted in 2023, which is delivering six battery and virtual power plant projects with more than 1GW of capacity in the state, the federal government said.

The inclusion of NSW projects in the upcoming CIS tender will replace the scheduled Q2 2024 generation Long-Term Energy Service Agreements (LTESA) tender under the NSW Roadmap, and generation projects eligible for LTESA tenders will be eligible to participate in the CIS tender.

NSW will separately proceed with its scheduled Q2 2024 LTESA tender for long-duration storage infrastructure.

The first round of tenders for Western Australian projects, targeting 500MW of dispatchable power through storage for renewables, will open mid-year, subject to consultation and final agreement. It would be enough to power 45,000 homes.

The federal government will provide $400 million in new loans to Alpha HPA to establish Australia's first high-purity alumina processing facility in Gladstone.

High-purity alumina is used in LED lighting, semiconductors, lithium-ion batteries, and other high-tech applications.

The loans will be provided by Export Finance Australia (EFA) through the Government’s $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility, as well as through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and EFA's Commercial Account.

The federal government has also conditionally approved $185 million to Renascor Resources to fast-track the development of Stage One of its Siviour Graphite Project in South Australia. 

Climate Active certified organisations are required to submit their annual report for the 2023 calendar year by 30 April. Those on a financial year reporting cycle must submit their next annual report by 31 October. 

A landmark new CSIRO report describes four potential scenarios for Australian agriculture in 2050 - regional ag capitals, landscape stewardship, climate survival, and system decline.

Australia and Singapore are partnering on a $20 million initiative to help reduce emissions in the maritime sector.  

The Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low Emissions Technologies (ASLET) for maritime and port operations will be jointly delivered by CSIRO and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.  

ASLET aims to develop a green and digital shipping corridor between Singapore and Australia.

Statutory development - climate bills. The Queensland parliament has passed the Clean Economy Jobs Act and the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act.

The Clean Economy Jobs Act legislates emissions reduction targets of 30% below 2005 levels by 2030, 75% below by 2035, and net zero by 2050.

It also establishes an advisory expert panel, and provides for the development of sector plans.

The Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act enshrines in law renewable energy targets of 50% renewable energy by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035. It passed with government amendments that dealt with matters including social licence. 

The Clean Economy Jobs Bill passed with the support of the Opposition LNP, with shadow environment minister Sam O'Connor noting that about 92% of the world’s GDP is covered by commitments to net zero. O'Connor also noted that investment in the low-carbon energy transition "surged 17% in 2023". 

"Queensland is in a fierce competition locally and internationally to secure as much of that investment as we can," he said. "The LNP's decision today will provide certainty to the market about the direction in which our state is heading. Our support today sends a signal to investors that under a future LNP government Queensland is open for business."

"For several years the LNP has committed to achieving the end goal of net zero. Our decision to support the targets outlined in this bill is significant and it has been carefully considered," O'Connor said. 

ALP Deputy Premier Cameron Dick welcomed the LNP decision. 

"It is welcome news because of what it means," he said. "It means that the LNP now supports our vegetation management laws. Our vegetation management laws are absolutely critical to achieving our 75% target. You cannot achieve a 75% reduction in emissions without Labor’s vegetation management laws.  

However, the LNP opposed the other Bill, which enshrines renewable energy targets in law. 

Shadow energy minister Deb Frecklington didn't directly oppose the renewables targets.

"We do not want to miss the once-in-a-generation chance to create new careers and keep our brightest kids in the bush," she acknowledged. "We do not want those energy careers going across the border or to another country."

However, Frecklington argued that the targets should be reviewed every two years, and the LNP therefore opposed the renewables bill.

The Queensland government has confirmed it will develop a statutory renewables code of conduct to ensure project developers engage with local communities, and share benefits with them.

The Queensland government says new federal data shows it has "smashed its first emissions reduction target almost a decade ahead of schedule", achieving a 35% reduction in emissions in 2022, significantly exceeding its current 2030 target of a 30% reduction.

The result is "further proof of the success of Queensland’s vegetation management laws, which have reduced the amount of land clearing carried out across the state and resulted in significant emission reductions in the land sector", the state government said.

Consultation opportunity - freight reform. The impact of climate change and the rise of Renewable Energy Zones are among the issues covered in a new NSW government discussion paper on freight policy reform.

An advisory panel with members including Kerry Schott has been established to provide independent advice on the reforms, and a webinar will be held on 24 April. Submissions close on 31 May.

VicGrid has released an independent analysis by Jacobs of the merits of a widely publicised alternative approach to the VNI-West transmission link. The analysis rejects the alternative as not the best solution for Victoria.

The Victorian government has made public the referral for Squadron Energy's proposed 420MW Moreton Hill wind farm near Ballarat.

Statutory development. New Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Amendment (Prohibition on Telemarketing and Door-to-door Sales) Regulations will come into operation on 1 May.

Yarra Valley Water has started work on its $48 million Lilydale Food Waste to Energy project – which is expected to become fully operational in 2025. 

The facility will divert 55,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill annually, and will generate sufficient renewable electricity to meet 35% of Yarra Valley Water's energy needs. or enough to power the equivalent of more than 2,200 Victorian households.

Yarra Valley Water already operates a food waste to energy plant at Wollert.

WA grant opportunity - decarbonisation. Applications for grants of between $5 million and $15 million are now being accepted by a state government/Chevron backed fund. 

The fund supports large research and innovation activities that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions or test, demonstrate and deploy technologies that support lower carbon projects. Applications must be lodged by 6 June.

The WA government will provide $4.5 million to International Graphite to establish a commercial graphite plant at Collie, building on a previous $2 million grant to establish a pilot graphite micronising plant.

In addition to the $4.5 million, the state government will provide $2 million for International Graphite to conduct a feasibility study into establishing a battery anode material facility in Collie. 

Key industry leaders and representatives from Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States met in Darwin last week to discuss critical mineral production, supply chain resilience and economic security. 

The Darwin Dialogue was convened by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, which has released a report on Reclaiming Leadership: Australia and the Critical Minerals Race.

The report notes that Australia has signed 25 agreements with other nations
to work with them to develop a network of secure and sustainable critical minerals supply chains. 

However, it says the federal government's current critical minerals strategy "sells Australia and its allies short by focusing only on domestic production and outbound supply chains".

The report makes seven recommendations.

Issue 39, 15 April 2024

Consultation opportunity - 2035 target and sector pathways. a 2035 emissions reduction target in the range of 65% to 75% below 2005 levels would be ambitious, and could be achievable, according to a new Climate Change Authority consultation paper.

The Authority will provide its final advice on sector pathways by 1 August, and will submit its final advice on targets in October. Comments on the consultation paper are due by 14 May.

In a speech to the Queensland Media Club, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government will will not be an observer of the energy transition – "we will be a participant, a partner, an investor and enabler".

Albanese said the government needed to invest at scale and be more assertive in building sovereign capability, and also flagged the introduction this year of a Future Made in Australia Act.

Statutory development and consultation opportunity - offshore wind. DCCEEW is inviting comments by 12 May on draft Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Amendment Regulations.

The regulations deal with issues including management plans, financial securities, safety and protection zones, and record-keeping.

A CSIRO survey of attitudes toward the renewable energy transition has found that rolling out the transition in an affordable way was the top priority for four in ten Australians, with most of them (82%) ranking it in their top three priorities. 

Other top-three priorities were energy self-reliance, and emissions reductions, with reliability being a close fourth. Almost half (47%) preferred a moderate paced transition scenario compared to faster and more extensive change (40%). A total of 13% preferred a slower transition. 

More than 80% of Australians would at least tolerate living within 10 kilometres of renewable energy infrastructure. 

The Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment met in Perth last Thursday, discussing issues including the clean energy transition, supply chain resilience, international partnerships, and critical minerals.

The communique says ministers agreed that they would this year develop "consistent environmental, social and governance (ESG) national messaging to support investment attraction".

DCCEEW has opened for comment an EPBC referral from POSCO-owned Port Hedland Green Steel Pty Ltd for its proposed hydrogen-based iron project in Port Hedland's Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area. 

In stage one, the facility would process up to 3.5 million tonnes of iron ore into pellets that would mostly be fed into a hot briquettes iron ((HBI) plant, to produce about two million tonnes of HBI. The remaining pellets (about 0.7 million tonnes) would be exported.

The referred action represents the first stage of up to six stages of development.

"HBI production based on 100% hydrogen technology is yet to be developed on a cost-effective basis," the referral says.

"Stage one effectively represents the proof of concept that hydrogen can replace natural gas [as the reductant]. Stage 1 needs to be proven technically feasible before stages 2-6 can be developed."

The project "can be a catalyst for the Pilbara more widely to transform itself into a globally relevant supplier of green iron, if the opportunity is seized", the referral says.

The project, which would be a candidate for support through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, would use POSCO-developed MidrexFlex technology, which is as yet commercially untested.

ARENA has awarded $59.1 million to 21 research projects focused on green iron and steel and on hydrogen.

A total of $24.6 million has gone to green iron and steel projects, with the largest grant ($4.4 million) going to UNSW for research into blast furnace innovation.

Hydrogen research projects will share the remaining $34.2 million, with the largest grant ($4.9 million) going to Fortescue subsidiary MIH2 Pty Ltd to scale-up and demonstrate next generation CSIRO axial flow electrolyser for green hydrogen production.

Hearings by a Senate committee inquiry into Darwin's Middle Arm industrial precinct were held last Wednesday and Thursday. Those giving evidence included NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler, and representatives of the NT EPA, the NT Environment Centre, Indigenous groups and community groups. Transcript will be available shortly here.

The inquiry received more than 200 submissions. A DCCEEW submission says the precinct "may allow industry to import CO2 for offshore storage, provided all regulatory requirements are satisfied".

It also notes that the precinct may facilitate CO2 utilisation for the production of methanol, jet fuel, urea, methane, and mineral carbonates.

A new Reef Health update from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has found that half of more than 1,000 individual reefs surveyed 836 reefs in the Marine Park and 244 reefs in the Torres Strait region) showed high or very high levels of bleaching.

Only a quarter of the individual reefs recorded no to low levels of bleaching.

The Carbon Market Institute has released a report on Carbon markets and Australia's net zero challenge, with contributions from organisations including Gilbert + Tobin, Climateworks, and the Australian Biodiversity Conservation Foundation.

The Climate Leaders Coalition has released an Internal Carbon Pricing for Decision Makers Playbook.

The report discusses shadow pricing, applying an internal fee, and pooling these funds into a carbon investment scheme.

New grants - international industrial decarbonisation collaboration. A joint funding call for Australian and Austrian industrial decarbonisation projects will open on 17 April, with individual grants of up to $3.5 million available to Australian applicants.  

Applicants must have at least one partner from both countries. Applications close on 18 July.

The Institute for Sustainable Futures has released a report titled Towards a Renewable Energy Superpower, commissioned by the Climate Action Network Australia, the AMWU and Boundless Earth.

The report identifies five key opportunities - a diversified battery supply chain, high voltage cable manufacturing, wind tower manufacturing and offshore wind port infrastructure, solar supply chain expansion, and electric heavy vehicle manufacturing.

A new agreement between Queensland government-owned CleanCo, and the North Queensland Airport Group, will result in Cairns and Mackay Airports being powered by 100% renewables 2025. 

An Australian-first electric aircraft development centre has opened in Gippsland. Dovetail Electric Aviation's Development Centre is located in the Latrobe Aerospace Technology Precinct, in the Latrobe Regional Airport.

Dovetail will retrofit regional aircraft with batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.

Since applications under Victoria's Solar for Apartments program opened on 13 February, 143 apartment buildings housing 2,477 apartments have applied for the funding. The deadline for applying for funding has now been extended to 31 May.

Consultation opportunity - capacity investment scheme. The federal government is consulting on the design of the first WA tender under its Capacity Investment Scheme, which will target 500MW of four-hour equivalent (2 GWh) clean dispatchable capacity.

Comments on the draft design are due by 29 April, and applications to tender for the provision of storage capacity will be invited mid-year.

Summit Southern Cross Power Holdings - a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation - will receive $1 million from the state government's Collie Futures Industry Development Fund towards a feasibility study into the construction of a Liquid Air Energy Storage facility.

Issue 38, 8 April 2024

The federal government's new Energy Performance Strategy says a new NABERS Universal Benchmark tool is being developed for building types that lack a sector-specific NABERS rating tool. It will be launched this year.

The strategy adds that a review of the Australian Energy Market Operator's approach to developing Integrated System Plans will examine how it deals with demand-side matters, such as electrification and EVs.

The Australian Energy Regulator has released draft guidance on Valuing Emissions Reductions, which will be used by AEMO in the final version of its 2024 Integrated System Plan.

This will mark the first time that AEMO has taken the cost of emissions into account in evaluating the optimum future pathway for the national grid.

APRA has written to banks, insurers, and super funds to advise on the scope, purpose and timing of its 2024 voluntary survey of how they are managing climate-related financial risk.

Unlike the inaugural 2022 survey, this year's survey will include additional questions on transition plans and nature risk.

The latest Quarterly Carbon Market report from the Clean Energy Regulator says schemes it administers reduced emissions by 65.5 million tonnes in 2023, 5.5% more than in 2022.

The report also says that in 2023, an annual record of 8.7 million large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) were cancelled to meet non-RET demand (for example to meet voluntary commitments).  

The federal government has announced that up to $1 billion will be allocated to a new Solar Sunshot program, which aims to build Australia's solar PV manufacturing capabilities. ARENA and DCCEEW will administer the program, and have invited registrations of interest to receive updates.

Statutory development. The federal government has introduced a Bill that would establish a mandatory climate risk disclosure regime.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering Better Financial Outcomes and Other Measures) Bill will introduce new climate reporting requirements that will apply to Australia's largest listed and unlisted companies from 1 January next year, with the requirements gradually extending to other companies.

Statutory development. The federal government has introduced the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill, which would establish a new Authority tasked with the promotion of the "orderly and positive economic transformation as the world decarbonises".

Submissions to a Senate inquiry into the Bill are due by 19 April.

Statutory development. The federal government has introduced the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Bill, which would establish a duty for light-vehicle suppliers to meet or beat a carbon emissions target, adjusted for the types of vehicle they sell and the weight of each vehicle.

The Senate environment committee has launched a new inquiry into Glencore's proposed carbon capture and storage project in Queensland. Submissions are due by 2 May.

Federal Parliament's joint committee on treaties has launched an inquiry into the Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty announced by the leaders of Australia and Tuvalu earlier this year. The treaty deals with climate change cooperation and migration.

Submissions are due by 16 April.

The federal government has appointed John Sheldon as interim Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, following the decision of Andrew Dyer to retire.

Sheldon was most recently director of social licence policy at DCCCEW.

In a National Press Club address, former climate minister Greg Combet said that governments should consider taking equity stakes in large, transformational projects, to help de-risk them.

Australia's Climate Leaders Coalition has released a Towards a Circular Australia Playbook.

Samantha McCulloch, chief executive of the Australian Energy Producers, which represents upstream gas companies, has urged the development of an Australian CCUS roadmap "to ensure we can realise our potential to be a major regional player in CCUS and to keep pace with the United States and Europe".

"The roadmap should also support the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries, such as steel and cement, by incentivising CCUS projects in energy-intensive regions around Australia," McCulloch said.

The Climate Council has released a report titled Seize the Decade, which outlines a strategy to cut emissions by 75% by 2030. The Council will host a webinar on the report on Thursday.

Beyond Zero Emissions has released a briefing paper on solar supply chains.

A Senate committee inquiry into the proposed Middle Arm industrial precinct in Darwin will hold public hearings on April 10 and 11.

The Carbon Market Institute has prepared example contract clauses for carbon projects, prepared by law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, to encourage greater consistency in contracts.

The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) has released the recording of a recent webinar on the water-energy nexus: saving water to save energy.

Statutory development - clean economy. A Queensland parliamentary committee has released its report on the government's Clean Economy Jobs Bill.

The committee recommends that the Bill be passed, with the LNP attaching a "statement of reservation".

Court case - coal project. The Australian Conservation Foundation and Mackay Conservation Group have started legal proceedings in the Queensland Land Court, seeking the refusal of Whitehaven Coal's proposed Winchester South coal mine in the Bowen Basin. 

The environment groups will argue the court should recommend no mining lease or environmental authority be granted, due to the project's significant environmental and human rights impacts.  

The Queensland government has released a Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap that lays out a framework to strategically connect about 22GW of new grid-scale renewable energy in 12 potential locations across Queensland.

The roadmap provides for the establishment of Local Reference Groups for each proposed REZ.

A NSW parliamentary committee inquiry into undergrounding transmission infrastructure has issued its final report.

The inquiry, instigated by the Greens, urged Transgrid and other electricity transmission providers to improve their consultation with communities. It said more information should be provided to communities on the "opportunities and constraints of undergrounding transmission lines versus overhead transmission lines".

With Labor committee members dissenting, it also recommended that the state government commission an independent assessment of the costs and benefits of undergrounding transmission lines.

Statutory development - renewables. The government has gazetted the planning changes that will allow large renewable energy projects to be assessed through the Development Facilitation Program.

A state parliamentary committee inquiry into climate resilience is accepting submissions until 1 May.

Almost 4,000 homes that have previously received fossil gas containing 5% renewable hydrogen are now receiving a 10% blend, the state government has announced.

The state government has released a Powering the Global Energy Transition Prospectus, which outlines to international investors why Western Australia is well-positioned to be at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.

Grant opportunity - clean energy. The state government is offering grants of up to $4 million in the latest round of its Clean Energy Future Fund. The fund supports innovative projects to decarbonise existing industry, develop new renewable energy businesses and improve energy efficiency.

Applications must be submitted by 10 June.

Issue 37, 25 March 2024

Jemena's Malabar biomethane project has become the first renewable gas project in Australia to receive renewable gas certification under the GreenPower scheme. 

The project is producing around 110 terajoules of renewable gas from wastewater and injecting it into the gas network. The project is co-funded by Jemena and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

GreenPower launched its national renewable gas certification program in 2023. The certification means Jemena will be able to earn and sell renewable gas certificates from the project. This creates an additional revenue stream, and allows Jemena's business gas consumers to match their fossil gas use with accredited low-emission renewable gas certificates. 

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has appointed Fiona Simson and Richard Bolt to the board of the Climate Change Authority, and has re-appointed Brad Archer as the Authority's chief executive. 

Simson is the former chair of the National Farmers Federation, and is also a former NFF president. Bolt is chair of Hydro Tasmania, and is a former secretary of Victoria's Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. 

DCCEEW, which has for a long time been working on a proposed "Integrated Farm and Land Management" method for earning Australian carbon credits, has signalled it is adjusting its approach to the new method.

According to analysts Reputex and Market Advisory Group, DCCEEW wants to more closely examine the extent to which grazing affects vegetation regeneration on land that hasn't previously been cleared, before deciding the extent to which this activity can generate ACCUs. 

Managed grazing suppression was one of the proposed elements of the IFLM method.

ARENA has awarded $2 million to Lochard Energy for an 18-month feasibility study into large-scale hydrogen production and storage in Victoria's onshore Otway Basin.

The $6.3 million feasibility study is the second stage of Lochard's H2RESTORE project, which aims to help firm the National Electricity Market through the provision of long duration, seasonal energy storage in the form of hydrogen.

ARENA has awarded a $1.66 million grant to the Aboriginal Clean Energy Partnership Pty Ltd (ACEP) to support a feasibility study for the East Kimberley Clean Energy and Hydrogen Project.

ACEP was formed in 2022 as a joint venture between three native title holders - Yawoorroong Miriuwung Gajerrong Yirrgeb Noong Dawang Corporation, Balanggarra Ventures Ltd, and Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation - as well as climate and nature investment and advisory firm Pollination.

A parliamentary committee inquiry into residential electrification last Friday heard from Dr Saul Griffith, and representatives of organisations including the Housing Industry Association, the Green Building Council, Master Builders Australia, and the Property Council.

The federal government has granted EPBC approval for Lightsource bp's 840MW Sandy Creek solar farm in the NSW central west. 

CSIRO chief executive Doug Hilton has written an open letter defending CSIRO's GenCost report, which provides insights into the cost of new-build electricity.

Hilton describes GenCost as providing "the very best estimates for the cost of future new-build electricity generation in Australia". 

"The GenCost report can be trusted by all our elected representatives, irrespective of whether they are advocating for electricity generation by renewables, coal, gas or nuclear energy," Hilton says.

The latest east coast gas market outlook from the Australian Energy Market Operator has forecast a gap in gas supply for southern states from 2028, as production from Bass Strait continues to decline faster than demand.

The report signals that new investment is urgently needed if gas supply from 2028 is to keep up with demand.

The Clean Energy Council has released a recording of its webinar on the Clean Energy Report for 2024.

Statutory development - climate and renewable energy targets. The Victorian Parliament has passed the Climate Change and Energy Legislation Amendment (Renewable Energy and Storage Targets) Bill 2023. 

It did so after the government accepted a Greens amendment, moved in the Legislative Council, which will require the government of the day to obtain independent advice that the net-zero target for 2045 has been met.

Greens MP Ellen Sandell told Parliament the amendment aimed to close "a loophole in our laws that could allow dodgy offsets and unproven carbon capture and storage to be counted towards Victoria's net zero emissions reduction targets".

The amendment means an independent expert must scrutinise the "effectiveness of any proposed activities for the removal of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere" and "the likely effectiveness of any eligible offsets". 

The Bill increases the renewable energy target for 2030, introduce a new renewable energy target for 2035, and introduces energy storage and offshore wind targets.

It also expressly requires consideration of climate change when making certain decisions under planning legislation.

Statutory development - carbon farming. The South Australian Parliament has passed the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation (Use of Pastoral Land) Amendment Bill 2024. 

The Bill confirms that pastoral leases can be used for conservation and carbon farming purposes.

The Bill amends the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act, which covers 323 leases, extending over an area of 40 million hectares, or about 40% of South Australia's land area. 

Of the existing pastoral leases, 21 are already being used for conservation purposes with the approval of the Pastoral Board. However, legal uncertainty about the board's ability to approve non-pastoral uses for conservation and carbon farming has arisen in recent years, prompting the introduction of the Bill.

Zero Petroleum, the world’s leading producer of synthetic fuel, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government to explore investment opportunities in South Australia.

Zero Petroleum is exploring opportunities to establish a synthetic fuel production plant in the state, with production commencing as soon as 2026. The plant would produce carbon neutral petrol, aviation fuel and diesel.

Grant opportunity - clean energy. The Western Australian government is offering grants of up to $4 million in the latest round of its Clean Energy Future Fund. The fund supports innovative projects to decarbonise existing industry, develop new renewable energy businesses and improve energy efficiency.

Applications must be submitted by 10 June.

Issue 36, 18 March 2024

Consultation opportunity - energy sector decarbonisation. DCCEEW has released a discussion paper for its proposed electricity and energy sector decarbonisation plan. Themes covered include:

• mobilising investment at a time of international competition for green finance.
• enabling electrification by substantially expanding electricity networks. 
• providing alternative low carbon fuels for industries that are difficult to electrify. 
• building Australia's clean energy workforce, and overcoming the existing shortage of technical and professional skills.
• maximising benefits for people and businesses, and securing social licence. 

The electricity and energy sector plan is one of six sectoral decarbonisation plans under development by the federal government. Submissions are due by 12 April. 

Consultation opportunity - national adaptation plan. DCCEEW has released an issues paper on a proposed national adaptation plan, with comments due by 11 April. A webinar on the proposed plan will be held on 26 March.

DCCEEW has simultaneously released a national climate risk assessment report that looks at both the 2050 and 2090 time horizons.

The federal government will provide up to $840 million to help establish Australia's first combined rare earths mine and refinery in the Northern Territory.

The mine and refinery will be operated by Australian mineral exploration company Arafura, and the funding will come from the government's Critical Minerals Facility (which is managed by Export Finance Australia) and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund. 

A CSIRO-led international team has set a new efficiency record for solar cells printed onto plastic film. 

The team demonstrated performances for solar cells of 15.5% efficiency on a small scale, and 11% for a 50 cm2 module, which is a record for solar cells printed onto thin plastic films. 

The solar cells contain perovskite, an emerging class of solar material which can be formulated into inks for printing. Carbon-based inks were used to replace gold in the solar cell, dramatically reducing the cost.

Grant opportunity - climate smart agriculture. Applications for climate smart agriculture partnerships and innovation grants of up to $5 million are capacity grants of up to $1 million are being accepted by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries until 8 April.

Applications for capacity grants of up to $1 million under the same program are being accepted until 28 March. 

Applications under the same program for soil capacity building grants closed earlier this month, and will result in the development of a team of regional soils coordinators and the preparation of a national soils community of practice. 

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has made its largest investment in the resources sector, committing up to $110 million to provide liquidity to Liontown Resources through the completion and ramp-up of its Kathleen Valley lithium projectin Western Australia.

The CEFC commitment is a part of a $550 million liquidity financing package from a syndicate that includes the Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, and Société Générale. Australia’s export credit agency, Export Finance Australia, is also part of the syndicate and is providing a $120 million loan facility.

A new Vehicle Emissions Star Rating website, developed with the involvement of federal, state and territory governments, uses a 6-star rating system to compare the CO2 emissions of new and second-hand cars, utes and vans.

Statutory development - renewable energy. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announcedrenewable energy projects will be eligible for an accelerated planning pathway under the Development Facilitation Program.

The move means third party appeals to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against these projects will no longer be possible.

"Right now, there is currently around $90 billion worth of investment value in renewable projects in the pipeline," Allan said. "It is expected these renewable projects would create a massive 15,000 jobs for our state."

The change means that decisions on whether to approve state significant renewable energy projects could be made within four months of a complete application being lodged. 

Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio has announced six projects will share in $6 million to deliver 25 neighbourhood batteries across 20 towns.

The batteries will jointly deliver about 4.2MWh of new storage capacity.

Consultation opportunity and statutory development - hydrogen and renewables. The South Australian government is consulting on draft regulations under its recently passed Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act. 

A webinar is scheduled for 20 March and comments close on 15 April.

The Western Australian Legislative Assembly has passed the Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill, which deals with the regulation of carbon capture and storage projects, and it is now before the Legislative Council. An explanatory memorandum is available here. 

Grant opportunity - carbon farming. The WA government is offering a further $2.77 million in carbon farming grants. Applications close on 20 May. 

Issue 35, 11 March 2024

Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer will retire from the position at the end of this month.

Andrew Dyer was first appointed National Wind Farm Commissioner in November 2015, by former Environment Minister Greg Hunt, and his role was later expanded to address a broad range of energy infrastructure matters. An acting Commissioner will be appointed shortly.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has appointed Melissa McIntosh as the Coalition's shadow minister for western Sydney and affordable energy. 

ARENA is providing a $9.4 million grant to retrofit an Aurizon diesel-electric freight train with a 1.8MWh battery. Project partner Alta Battery Technology will be responsible for the design and construction of the battery wagon, which will couple to the locomotive. It will be trialled across one of Aurizon's major haulage routes.

The federal government has announced a $76 million funding package for electric vehicle projects, which will be financed by ARENA and the CEFC. 

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will provide $50 million to Angle Auto Finance (AAF), Australia’s largest independent retail auto financier, to get 20,000 new EVs onto Australian roads over the next two years.

AAF will provide short term loans to car dealerships to purchase vehicles from manufacturers, with dealerships to repay the loan when the vehicle is sold. 

ARENA will provide more than $4 million to help Europcar add 3,100 new, electric passenger vehicles to its Australian fleet over three years. The rental car company is also teaming up with Ampol to install 256 chargers across 41 hire car sites. Europcar will operate the EVs for up to two years before selling them on to grow the second-hand EV market.

ARENA will also provide almost $22 million dollars for three projects in Western Australia to electrify logistics fleets and local government vehicles.

The federal government has officially declared an offshore wind zone in the Southern Ocean off western Victoria, which could potentially help power one of Australia's largest smelters.

The Southern Ocean offshore wind zone, which could potentially generate up to 2.9GW of offshore wind energy, is the third offshore wind zone declared by the government. 

The zone is close to Alcoa's Portland aluminium smelter, which draws up to 10% of Victoria’s electricity. Currently, about 40% of the smelter's consumed electricity comes from renewable resources, including from the nearby Portland onshore wind farm.

In 2021, Portland Aluminium and Alinta Energy announced an MOU to collaborate on the proposed 1GW Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm, and Alcoa says the zone "would greatly assist the Spinifex development". 

Countrywide Hydrogen, which is developing a renewable hydrogen production facility at Portland in two stages, also made a submission in favour of the zoning, as did offshore wind developer Bluefloat.

The final declared offshore area encompasses 1,030 square kilometres – one fifth of the originally proposed zone. It is located at least 15 – 20km from Victoria’s coast, and the zone no longer includes an area off South Australia. 

Feasibility licence applications for offshore wind projects in the new zone are now being accepted, and must be submitted by 2 July.

The Australian Institute of Company Directors and Pollination Group have released a climate governance study, with 80% of surveyed directors saying their boards are concerned about climate change as a material risk.

Australia and Canada have agreed to work together to improve transparency in critical minerals supply chains and to promote the recognition of strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in critical minerals markets, Resources Minister Madeleine King has announced. 

The two countries issued a joint ministerial statement after talks in Toronto.

Leaders of ASEAN countries and Australia have released the Melbourne Declaration, which provides for a $2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility to increase Australian investment in the region in key sectors such as infrastructure and clean energy. 

The financing facility will be managed by Export Finance Australia.  It will provide loans, guarantees, equity and insurance for projects to boost Australian trade and investment in Southeast Asia, particularly in support of the region's clean energy transition and infrastructure development.

A joint statement signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, announced at the ASEAN-Australia summit, pledges greater cooperation in areas including climate, environment and energy cooperation.

The statement pledges Australian financial support for Vietnam's efforts to respond to climate change, and reaffirms commitment to a Ministerial Dialogue on Energy and Minerals. 

The Queensland government has joined the international Equal by 30 campaign, which aims to deliver gender equality in the clean energy sector. The federal government is already a signatory.

New consultation - biomass power plant. The NSW government has placed on exhibition a proposal by Verdant Earth to restart Redbank power station, with biomass as its feedstock, rather than coal tailings.

The power plant would use up to 700,000 tonnes of "ecologically sustainable biomass", ultimately in the form of purpose-grown energy plantations. Comments are due by 4 April. 

The NSW government has announced partnerships with six companies and organisations that will result in a range of carbon farming projects receiving $23.8 million in public and private funds.

The NSW Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program (PIPAP) is investing $6.8 million, and the six grantees are co-investing $17 million.

The successful grantees are 24 Degree Forest, Wilmot Cattle Company, Regen Farmers Mutual, Greening Australia, WWF, and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

The partnerships include four reforestation projects, a soil carbon project, a blue carbon project, and a beef herd management project. 

The projects will generate Australian Carbon Credit Units and will be implemented on about 100 properties across regional New South Wales, covering about 2,000 hectares of forest and woodland.

Statutory development - offshore wind. A new Victorian government Energy and Public Land Legislation Amendment (Enabling Offshore Wind Energy) Bill would amend Victoria’s public land and electricity legislation to support the establishment of a Victorian offshore wind industry. The Bill would enable licences and permits under these Acts to be granted over public land for up to 21 years, for the purposes of:

• Assessing the desirability or feasibility of constructing or installing offshore electricity transmission infrastructure.

• Determining the optimal placement of offshore electricity transmission infrastructure.

The Bill would also amend the National Parks Act 1975 to make offshore wind energy generation companies public authorities for the purposes of that Act, enabling them to perform functions in relation to parks. 

Statutory development - transmission infrastructure. A new Victorian government National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid) Bill would amend the state's National Electricity Act to:

• Introduce a process for the VicGrid chief executive to make payments to landholders who host transmission infrastructure on their land.

• Confer new functions and powers on VicGrid to plan major electricity transmission infrastructure in Victoria.

• Allow for the declaration of Renewable Energy Zones by the Minister.

Melbourne Water has had a carbon project approved by the Clean Energy Regulator that will allow it to earn carbon credits by reforesting water catchments with native vegetation.

South Australia's Department for Energy and Mining has lodged an EPBC referral for the state government-backed proposed hydrogen project near Whyalla, comprising a 200MW hydrogen power station, 250MWe electrolysers, and a 100 tonne-capacity storage facility.

A total of nine hydrogen projects have now lodged EPBC referrals. 

The Western Australian government has released a new Electric Vehicle strategy. 

EPA Chair Matthew Tonts is departing the agency to take up a new role as Provost of Curtin University. Tonts, who took up the EPA top role in 2021, will temporarily be replaced by EPA deputy chair Lee McIntosh.

Tonts said he was proud of his time leading the EPA.

"Western Australia's environmental impact assessment process under the Environmental Protection Act leads the nation on the assessment and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from significant proposals," he said.

Grant opportunity - carbon farming. The Western Australian government is offering a further $2.77 million in carbon farming grants. Applications close on 20 May. 

Issue 34, 4 March 2024

Friday's meeting of the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council has agreedto make the development of a renewable energy developer rating scheme a priority. 

The introduction of a voluntary rating scheme was recommended by the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, in his review of community engagement practices.

Ministers also asked senior officers to present a consumer energy resources road map to their next meeting, scheduled for July. 

Consultation opportunity - clean energy. A DCCEEW discussion paper on the Capacity Investment Scheme says planned 2024 CIS tenders will include a Q2 invitation for NEM-wide bids from generation projects, with an indicative target of 6GW of renewable capacity.

This would be followed by a Q4 2024 invitation for NEM-wide bids for 4GW of renewable capacity and 3GW of dispatchable capacity. A webinar is scheduled for this Friday. Submissions are due by 25 March.

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes has released its latest annual state of weather and climate report, which notes that Australia experienced a broad range of record- breaking extremes in 2023.

The Clean Energy Regulator has published FY23 NGER data, which shows that 949 corporations reported a total of 307 million tonnes of scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions. 

This represents an overall decrease in scope 1 emissions of 2.8 million tonnes compared to totals for the previous year. The decrease in emissions mainly came from the electricity generation sector.

A new submission from the Business Council of Australia backs the introduction of a "carefully targeted" Australian Cross-Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), to deal with potential carbon leakage.

The BCA also backs Australia's participation in the G7-led Climate Club initiative, and suggests the Club could help develop and align mandatory emissions product standards. 

The Clean Energy Regulator has approved Solar Accreditation Australia as the new installer and designer accreditation scheme operator for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

The move follows a decision by the Clean Energy Council not to re-apply as the accreditation scheme operator.

The latest  Quarterly Update of Australia's National Greenhouse Gas Inventoryshows greenhouse gas emissions totalled 459.7 million tonnes in the year ending September 2023.  This is a decrease of 0.5% (2.2 Mt CO₂-e) compared with the previous year.  

Emissions in the year to September 2023 were 25.4% below June 2005 levels – the base year for Australia's 2030 Paris Agreement target.

The federal government has released guidance for the Australian Public Service on identifying, managing, and reporting climate risks and opportunities.

The federal government has released a  Solar Consumer Guide for households and small businesses.

A Queensland government State Development Area (SDA) declaration for Mackay has set aside 907 hectares of land to be rezoned to support value adding to sugarcane.

"The SDA will see the city become Queensland’s home of an emerging biocommodity industry," the state government says.

The next step will be for the Office of the Coordinator-General to draft a Development Scheme.

Queensland grant opportunity - bioenergy. A new $4 million Bioenergy Fund is offering matched financial assistance of between $250,000 and $2 million.

The Fund will prioritise projects that advance biomass-to-electricity conversion technologies and enable growth in the biogas and biomethane sectors, like cane waste to ethanol. Applications close on 11 April.

A Queensland parliamentary committee has released its report on the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023, recommending that the Bill be passed. LNP members of the committee incorporated a statement of reservation into the report.

Yancoal has made an EPBC referral to develop a renewable energy hub on its Gloucester Valley land holdings, next to its Stratford coal mining complex, which will close this year. The hub would comprise a Pumped Hydro Energy Storage system and a solar farm.

In 2023, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure finalisedassessments for 18 State Significant Development renewable energy assessments, comprising three wind farms, six solar farms and nine large-scale batteries, the state government says.

Of these, 13 were approved by the department and five were referred to the Independent Planning Commission for determination, four of which the Commission has now approved, and one is still in progress.

The Victorian government should initially adopt a carbon value of at least $123 per tonne to inform infrastructure planning and business cases, recommends a report released by Infrastructure Victoria.

This value - based on the EU emissions trading scheme price - would be consistent with the interim approach adopted by NSW in February last year, says the report on opportunities to reduce infrastructure greenhouse gas emissions .

"Valuing emissions will ensure that infrastructure project decisions account for climate change impacts alongside other costs and benefits," the report says.

The report, which makes 10 recommendations, notes that up to 70% of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions relate to the lifecycle of infrastructure through operational, enabled, and embodied emissions. 

The main report is backed by a separate technical report prepared by WSP. Infrastructure Victoria will host a webinar on the report on 13 March.

Consultation opportunity - clean energy jobs. The Victorian government has issued a consultation paper on its proposed Victorian Energy Jobs Plan. Submissions are due by 3 April.

Consultation opportunity - Tesla and CEP. Tesla Energy Ventures Australia Pty Ltd has applied to Victoria's Essential Services Commission for a licence to sell electricity in the state. Submissions are due by 29 March.

Meanwhile, CEP Energy Retail Pty Ltd has also applied for a licence to sell electricity in Victoria, with plans to target commercial and industrial property owners. Submissions are due by 28 March.

With a Tasmanian election scheduled for 14 March, Labor has released an energy policy that commits it to exiting the Marinus project "to ensure it can still happen, but Tasmanians won't pay for it".

It would then invest the money saved by exiting Marinus in renewable energy generation projects, via a new government entity called Tasmanian Power Co. 

However, the Liberals say Labor's approach would "pull the plug on Marinus and gut Hydro [Tasmania]".

"Only a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will save Hydro and build our renewable energy future," the Liberal party said.

Statutory development and consultation opportunity - climate change. The South Australian government has released a draft Bill to amend the state's Climate Change Act, and has also announced it will advance its renewable energy target. The Bill will:

• update the state’s emissions reduction for 2030 and 2050.
• require five-yearly emissions reduction targets to be set between 2030 and 2050.
• require development of a state emissions reduction plan and a state climate risk assessment.
• empower the Premier to nominate a public sector entity to prepare a climate change plan for an entity or sector.

The South Australian government has also advanced its renewable energy target by three years, and will now aim for its electricity to be sourced from "net 100% renewables" by 2027.

The new target will be incorporated into the version of the Bill that is introduced into state Parliament later this year. Comments on the draft Bill must be submitted by 5 April.

Five major companies - Amp Energy, Fortescue Energy, H2U, Origin Energy and Santos - have signed development agreements with the South Australian government for the development of the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub.

Located near Whyalla, the hub will be a common user facility for the production and export of hydrogen, and will be the state's first large-scale clean hydrogen production precinct. Both green and blue hydrogen are likely to be exported from the hub.

The GFG Alliance steelworks at Whyalla could become a major off-taker of green hydrogen from the Port Bonython hub under an agreement signed with the South Australian government. 

Santos has also separately signed its own MOU with GFG Alliance to discuss fossil gas supply and carbon capture and storage opportunities to reduce emissions from the Whyalla steelworks.

The agreement could result in GFG Alliance becoming the first domestic third-party user of the Santos carbon capture and storage project at Moomba.

Meanwhile, the South Australian government will in June invite expressions of interest to prepare a "commercial de-risking study" for the establishment of a hydrogen-based Direct Reduction Iron (DRI) steel plant in South Australia.

The study findings will help determine the industrial precincts and supporting infrastructure required to de-risk investment in green iron and steel in the state.   

The state government aims to establish the DRI plant in South Australia before the end of the decade.  

The state government will also release a Green Iron and Steel Strategy before the end of the year.

The South Australian government has arranged a strong presence at this year's international Fuel Cell Expo in Tokyo, with a focus on its hydrogen and green iron potential.

The government says it has committed $1.2 million to increase South Australia's presence at major international hydrogen events, including the 2024 world hydrogen summit in Rotterdam.

Statutory development - clean energy. The Western Australian Parliament has passed the Electricity Industry Amendment (Distributed Energy Resources) Bill 2023, marking the first major update of the state's electricity legislation in 20 years.

The Bill introduces a new State Electricity Objective that requires electricity infrastructure decision-makers to consider the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, as well as reliability and price.

It also streamlines and consolidates the codes, rules and regulations used to manage the state's power system and electricity market.

The Bill also establishes the regulatory framework needed to enable customer devices - such as batteries, electric vehicles, and solar panels - to be utilised to support the state's power systems.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will provide $55 million to help finance Neoen's 219MW Collie Battery Stage 1 in Western Australia, marking the first time it has financed a big battery in the state.

CEFC capital is now backing more than 1,700 MW in new battery capacity across six projects Australia-wide.  

The Western Australian government has lodged a proposal with the federal government to establish a Clean Energy National Centre of Excellence in Western Australia, which would consist of a network of TAFE colleges.

The state government has also submitted an application to access funding to fast-track the development of clean energy training and workforce initiatives.

The Northern Territory government has released an updated guide to critical minerals in the Northern Territory.

Issue 33, 26 February 2024

The Clean Energy Regulator says it will "administer both the Nature Repair Market and the ACCU Scheme to support alignment between carbon and biodiversity markets". 

"Where possible, the Regulator will use its experience to create synergies and streamline processes to make it easier for landholders to participate in both schemes," it says.

The Regulator will be responsible for administering the scheme, and its duties will include:

• assessing applications to register, vary or cancel projects.
• ​​​issuing biodiversity certificates.
• performing ongoing assurance, monitoring and compliance activities.
• maintaining the public register of biodiversity projects and certificates.

CSIRO and Standards Australia have launched a new resource called HyStandards "to help the growing hydrogen industry find the relevant Australian and international standards for their hydrogen projects".  

Australia is expected to become the second largest net-exporter of low-emissions hydrogen by 2030 and the largest by 2050, according to CSIRO. 

Transcript of a Senate committee's first public hearing into Senator David Pocock's "intergenerational equity" climate Bill will be available here shortly. 

The federal government has granted EPBC approval for the 1.5GW Yanco Delta wind farm in NSW, to be built in the NSW Riverina.

The federal government has released an interim National Action List for offshore CO2 sequestration. The list will be used as a screening tool for sequestration sites.

The government says the list is required to comply with provisions of the Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution.

Grant opportunity - energy efficiency. Small and medium businesses can apply from this week for energy efficiency grants valued at between $10,000 and $25,000. Applications close on 8 April.

Grant opportunity - innovation. The Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) has opened a new $7.5 million funding round for small and medium enterprises targeting three key challenge areas:

• Increasing the energy efficiency of commercial fishing operations.
• Powering safe drinking water for First Nations remote communities.
• Providing low-carbon packaging for premium Australian wine.

Successful applicants will receive grants of up to $100,000 to develop and test their ideas over three months. The most successful of these ideas may be eligible for a further grant of up to $1 million to develop a prototype or proof of concept.

Applications close on 3 April.

The Clean Energy Council and KPMG have released a guide titled Leading Principles: First Nations and Renewable Energy Projects .

A new Queensland Battery Industry Strategy says the industry has the potential to generate up to $1.3 billion of economic activity and 9,100 jobs by 2030.

The strategy is targeting investment totalling $570 million over the next five years, comprising new and existing funding. 

Queensland Hydro, which was established by the state government to develop pumped hydro projects, has released a draft $50 million community benefits framework. Comments are due by 26 April.

The cost of building and infrastructure damage from natural disasters could almost triple by 2060, without mitigation action, according to the NSW Reconstruction Authority's inaugural State Disaster Mitigation Plan. 

The plan reveals the cost of building and infrastructure damage from natural disasters could hit $9.1 billion per year by 2060, without mitigation, up from the current level of about $3.1 billion.

Population growth and climate change are the main drivers of the potential cost increase.

The plan proposes the development by mid-2025 of a State policy for large-scale multi-hazard managed relocation, "drawing on the experience of the Northern Rivers and other jurisdictions".

There are two forms of managed relocation, the plan notes - buy-back schemes in which the property owner is responsible for finding a new location, and community relocation, where people are resettled in an alternative location.

Transcript of a 16 February NSW parliamentary committee hearing into under grounding transmission infrastructure is now available.

Consultation opportunity - waste-to-energy. Cleanaway has applied to the EPA for a development licence to establish a waste-to-energy facility at Wollert.

The facility would annually process up to 380,000 tonnes of residual municipal and commercial waste, which would otherwise have gone to landfill. It would generate about 46.3MW of electricity, with 4.7MW used to power the facility, and the remainder exported to the grid. 

Waste ash would be treated at the facility for use as an alternative construction product, and metals will be recovered from the ash for recycling.

 Comments close on 20 March. 

Consultation opportunity - ban on high-pressure sales of energy efficiency products. The state government has released a Regulatory Impact Statement and proposed regulations to ban telemarketing and door-to-door sales under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Submissions are due by 18 March.

 The state government will establish an independent review into how energy distribution companies responded to the February 2024 storms.

On February 13, Victoria experienced a catastrophic storm event that caused power outages that impacted more than 500,000 homes and businesses.

Statutory development - CCS. Debate is under way in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly on the Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill.

The Bill provide a legislative framework for the transport and geosequestration of greenhouse gas, and enable the exploration for naturally occurring hydrogen.

Consultation opportunity - offshore wind zone. The federal government is seeking comments by 3 May on a proposal to declare an offshore wind development zone 20 kilometres offshore from Bunbury (WA).

This is the sixth region to be considered as potentially suitable for future large-scale offshore wind projects in Australia.

The federal government has confirmed it will provide $70 million to help establish the Pilbara hydrogen hub, matching an identical commitment made by the WA government in late 2021. 

The project will establish a hydrogen and/or ammonia pipeline between the Maitland and Burrup Strategic Industrial areas, a Clean Energy Training and Research Institute to develop the required skills for the emerging industry, and port upgrades to enable the import of renewable energy generation equipment. 

The hub has the potential to become an export gateway for Australian-made green steel and iron, according to the federal government. The initial focus will be on developing common-user infrastructure.

A company has lodged an EPBC referral for a blue carbon project in the Northern Territory, which will be used as a research pilot for proposed other projects in the Gulf of Carpentaria. 

Verity Nature Pty Ltd's project will follow requirements of the international VERRA method for restoring tidal wetland and seagrass.

Verity Nature was founded by Duncan Van Der Merwe, a former managing director of Tellus Holdings Pty Ltd, and scientist Richard Phillips.

Issue 32, 19 February 2024

A DCCEEW-led Renewable Superpower Taskforce, which also has representatives from Treasury and the Department of Industry, is examining the intensifying global competition for clean energy industries, DCCEEW officials told a Senate Estimates hearing.

The Taskforce findings are feeding into FY25 Budget deliberations about possible additional actions.

The CEFC in December issued a market call for financial intermediaries - banks, non-bank lenders, and others - to deliver its $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund, with responses due by 1 March.

"We are well prepared to start to implement the program in short order after 1 March," CEFC chief executive Ian Learmonth told Senate Estimates. 

The Safeguard Mechanism baseline that is ultimately applied to the Santos Barossa fossil gas project will depend on whether it is classified as a new project, or instead as a backfill to the existing Darwin LNG facility, a DCCEEW official told the Senate Estimates hearing.

The Clean Energy Regulator has yet to decide which of the two classifications is appropriate under Safeguard Mechanism statutory requirements.

"It comes down to the ownership and different structures," the official said.

The emissions limit, or "baseline", that applies to Barossa will be higher if it is classified as a backfill to an existing project, and lower if it is classified as a standalone new facility, the official explained.

Australia's inaugural national climate risk assessment, which is being prepared in conjunction with states and territories, will identify key climate risks on three different time horizons—2030, 2060 and 2090, officials told Senate Estimates.

The project is looking at impacts across a range of sectors, including agriculture, defence, and health. 

The project is examining a 1.5 to two degrees scenario for 2050, and a two degrees to three degrees scenario for 2090.

In other Estimate news:

• DCCEEW officials rejected a Coalition Senator's characterisation of the proposed fuel efficiency standard as a "cap and trade scheme" on vehicle emissions.
• ARENA advised Senate Estimates that its $176 million in grant funding to a total of eight grid batteries equated to about seven percent of the total cost of the batteries.
• The Coalition is "desperately keen to get up an inquiry into transmission lines and where they're going", Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes said. "We're trying to get that through, but we are yet to get support in the Senate for that to occur," Senator Hughes said in an Estimates hearing.

"Our main message today is that export of zero-carbon goods can  underpin a long period of high  investment, rising productivity,  full employment and rising incomes in Australia," Ross Garnaut has told the National Press Club, in a presentation made in conjunction with Rod Sims (TVeeder transcript here).

Garnaut and Sims were speaking in their role as directors of the new Superpower Institute, and they proposed a "carbon solutions levy" on fossil fuel extraction and imports.

Resources Minister Madeleine King has placed nickel on Australia's Critical Minerals List, upgrading its former status as a strategic material.

That potentially gives the nickel industry access to concessional loans from the $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility. 

It could also prompt funding from international financing bodies, like the US Export‑Import Bank, or Japanese and Korean financing bodies, the Minister said. 

Grant opportunity - critical minerals. Minister King has invited applications for a $40 million international partnerships program to build end-to-end critical minerals supply chains. Grants of between $2 million and $20 million are available.

Eligible projects include pilot and demonstration plants, critical minerals processing technologies and the development of downstream processing capability.

The Minister said the four-year grant program would strengthen Australia's international engagement on critical minerals with global partners such as the US, the UK, Japan, India, Korea, and the European Union.

Statutory development - offshore projects. Resources Minister Madeleine King has introduced a Bill that will enable changes to be made to environmental regulations under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act while still protecting NOPSEMA's EPBC right to assess and approve offshore projects.

The streamlined NOPSEMA-led approval process for these projects is provided for through arrangements under section 146B of the EPBC Act that have been in place since 2014.

Minister King noted to Parliament that the government is reviewing the offshore environmental management framework for petroleum and greenhouse gas activities and said the Bill will support the implementation of the review findings. 

Greens leader Adam Bandt criticised the provision in the Bill, saying it would "effectively hand the Minister King broad-ranging powers to reduce environmental and consultation obligations, without oversight from the Environment Minister".

Grant opportunity - energy efficiency. Small and medium businesses can start preparing applications now for energy efficiency grants valued at between $10,000 and $25,000.

The federal government has awarded a $14 million grant to Powering Australia Ltd to establish the Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre, which will help Australian businesses commercialise and manufacture clean energy technologies locally.

Powering Australia Ltd played a key role in establishing the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre.

Statutory development - clean energy. Queensland Premier Steve Miles has introduced the Clean Economy Jobs Bill, which will mandate an emissions reduction target of 75% on 2005 levels by 2035, and net-zero by 2050.

"The '75 by 35' emissions reduction target positions Queensland as a world leader on the pathway to net zero," Miles told Parliament.

The Bill requires the development of sector plans, and by the end of this year the government must publish details of which sectors will be covered, and when the plans will be prepared.

The Bill also imposes a requirement to publish an annual statement on progress towards the emissions reduction targets, and provides for the establishment of an advisory Clean Economy Expert Panel.

In FY23, the NSW Climate Fund spent a total of $268.6 million, according to its latest annual report.

In the same year it received a total of $294.8 million in revenue from electricity retailers.

The NSW DCCEEW has also released guidelines for voluntary house-raising schemes, which deal with house-raising and relocation to higher ground on the same lot.

The guideline has been prepared for councils that are seeking state government funding for voluntary house-raising schemes.

Statutory development - banning fossil fuel advertising. ACT Greens Assembly member Jo Clay has introduced a Bill that would ban advertising by fossil fuel companies at major ACT sporting venues.

Subsidy opportunity - solar for apartments. Applications close 15 April under round one of Solar Victoria's new Solar for Apartments program, which is partly funded by the federal government.

About 12% of Victoria's 2.5 million households live in apartments, with around 63% of these occupied by renters.

Successful applicants will receive rebates of up to $2,800 per apartment, or up to $140,000 per building. 

Owners corporations will have the choice to install either multiple individual solar PV systems, a single large solar PV system coupled with solar sharing technology, or a combination of both.

The Western Australian government will offer royalty relief to WA's nickel industry in the form of a 50 per cent royalty rebate.

It will be available for an 18-month period through a new Nickel Financial Assistance Program, and will apply if the average price of nickel in concentrate is below US$20,000 per tonne for a given quarter.

The Northern Territory government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to further strengthen cooperation on financing energy and infrastructure projects.

The MoU enables the Territory to hold regular dialogue with JBIC officials, on projects such as oil and gas, carbon capture, critical minerals infrastructure, hydrogen, ammonia, renewable energy, and sustainable aviation fuels.

Issue 31, 12 February 2024

Australia's energy rating and labelling scheme (GEMS) saved Australian businesses and households between $12 billion and $18 billion in energy costs, between FY12 and FY22, according to a new report by the GEMS Regulator.

The report also found that GEMS saved between 45 to 67 terawatt-hours of energy, which is about the same amount of electricity that was used by all Tasmanian, Northern Territory and South Australian homes during the same period.

Australia's households and businesses are continuing to install PV at rates unparalleled across the globe, and the uptake of EVs is exceeding forecasts, says a new report from the Energy Security Board on Consumer Energy Resources and the Transformation of the NEM.

The report recommends the establishment of a new consumer energy resources taskforce, and sets out six priorities for the taskforce over the next 12 months.

The net benefit of effective integration and coordination of consumer energy resources has been estimated to be between $1 billion and $6.3 billion by 2030-2040, the report notes. 

Grant opportunity - energy efficiency. Small and medium businesses can start preparing applications now for energy efficiency grants valued at between $10,000 and $25,000.

Japanese energy company ENEOS has made an EPBC referral for a project on Queensland's Bulwer Island that would further develop and test a process using electrolysis to convert toluene, water, and electricity into methylcyclohexane (MCH).

"The production of MCH allows a transportable form of 'green hydrogen' that can be used to decarbonise fuel supply chains," the referral documentation says.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is providing $99 million in finance for renewables company Neoen to develop the second part of its Goyder South Stage 1 wind farm, which will provide firmed clean energy to BHP's Olympic Dam operation.

The investment will support the construction of 203MW of wind capacity and 238.5MW/477MWh of battery storage.

The latest investment means the CEFC has now helped Neoen secure finance for four large battery projects.

In a statement from their Annual Leaders' Dialogue, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape welcomed the inclusion of climate change as an area of security cooperation under their Bilateral Security Agreement.

They also noted that Australia has recently completed solar farms in West Sepik and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and has a pipeline of solar farms and household solar projects that will be deployed this year.

The government's new Investment Mandate for the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) says the entity must be satisfied that its investments align with one or more Australian government policy priorities including:

• achieving Australia’s net-zero and energy transition goals.
• economic development in the north.
• alleviating social or economic disadvantage in Northern Australia.
• improving First Nations outcomes and contributing to Closing the Gap.

The Investor Group on Climate Change has released its 2023 annual report.

The report shows IGCC members have global assets under management worth A$35 trillion, and almost A$5 trillion locally, up from A$30 trillion and A$3 trillion in 2022 respectively.

Members now also represent more than 14.8 million beneficiaries, up from 8 million when this was last calculated four years ago.

CSIRO and Swinburne University of Technology have established a new partnership focused on green steel and mineral processing research and development. 

A new, CSIRO-led study shows that marine heatwaves are altering the microorganism communities that form the base of the marine food chain, disrupting coastal ecosystems.  

Transcript is now available from public hearings convened by the Queensland Parliamentary committee that is inquiring into the state government's Renewable Transformation and Jobs Bill.

The Australian Energy Regulator is prosecuting the energy entity that trades the output of the Callide C coal-fired power station over a 2021 explosion at Callide C4, which has left the unit still offline.

The AER alleges Callide Power Trading Pty Ltd failed to comply with required performance standards.

Callide Power Trading trades the output on behalf of a joint venture between state government-owned CS energy and Intergen.

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved Ark Energy's $569 million Bowmans Creek wind farm, which will be located near Muswellbrook, in the Hunter-Central Coast REZ.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry into undergrounding transmission infrastructure will hold its next hearing on 16 February.

It will hear from representatives of entities including the Australian Energy Regulator, Transgrid, Ausgrid, Energy Networks Australia, EnergyCo, and Iberdrola.

The state government has released the referral for the Victorian component of the Victoria to NSW interconnector, known as VNI West, which will run from Kerang (the NSW connection point) to Bulgana.

The project will require the construction of about 240 kilometres of overhead transmission lines.

Referral documentation says the project will connect power from the wind and solar-rich Murray River REZ and Western Victorian REZ.

It will also provide Victoria with access to renewable energy stored in the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro scheme, and will improve the security and reliability of the electricity network as coal-fired power stations retire, the referral says.

TransAlta has made a referral to construct, operate and maintain up to 150MW of gas reciprocating engines at BHP Nickel West's Mt Keith operations, to meet Nickel West's expanded processing capacity and future growth.

The proposal aims to reduce reliance on TransAlta's existing legacy gas and diesel generation, which would reduce total emissions, and facilitate a greater penetration of renewable energy generation in the future.

In 2020, the existing gas and diesel system produced 352,657 tonnes of emissions. The proposed changes would result in total emissions falling to 271,130 tonnes by 2030.

The referral adds that emissions from the existing system would increase significantly, if it was the sole source of electricity for an expanded Mt Keith operation.

Issue 30, 5 February 2024

The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner has recommended that an independent body be established to administer an opt-in rating scheme for renewable energy infrastructure developers, which would focus strongly on their community engagement practices.

The report also recommends minimising the need for elongated community
engagement "by re-engineering planning and environmental assessment
and approval processes".

In addition, the report recommends:

• ensuring jurisdictions have the power to select which developers can prospect and develop projects in renewable energy zones, based on merit criteria.
• eliminating unnecessary community engagement by selecting the best project sites, and avoiding inappropriate sites.
• improving community understanding of the need for the transition, including what is to be deployed in their region as well as where, when and why.
• improving acceptance of transition changes and impacts by
  engaging the community to identify opportunities and enable sustainable
  benefit sharing.
• establishing an ombudsman in each state and territory to deal with complaints about renewable energy infrastructure projects.
• running a communications program that gives information to local communities on the reasons for the energy transition.

The federal government has accepted all the recommendations in principle. The National Farmers Federation said the report "lacks teeth" and doesn't go far enough.

A new ARENA-backed 'silicon to solar' roadmap sets out a framework for Australia to become a manufacturer of solar cells and modules.

It recommends that the government declare the development of a solar PV manufacturing industry as a strategic priority, and that it streamline permitting and approval processes, as well as visa pathways for those with solar expertise.

It also recommends that the government provide concessional finance and introduce a payment-for-results production credits regime to bridge the cost gap compared to PV manufacturing in China.

The report was developed by the Australian Photovoltaic Institute (APVI) working with Deloitte and a group of key industry stakeholders including the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), AGL, Aspiradac, Energus, Siemens, SunDrive, Tindo Solar and 5B.

CEFC-backed Virescent Ventures, which was established to manage the CEFC's early stage climate tech portfolio, is raising a new fund targeting $200 million to further catalyse private sector investment in Australian climate tech opportunities.

The new fund is expected to be corner-stoned by the CEFC. To date, Virescent has backed 33 innovative climate tech businesses, funds and incubators.

APRA, which regulates the finance sector, will this year review the effectiveness of its Prudential Practice Guide CPG 229 Climate Change Financial Risks (CPG 229), with consultations likely to start in the second half of the year.

APRA will this year also ask entities to respond voluntarily to its next Climate Risk Self-Assessment survey, which will provide insights on their alignment to the principles in CPG 229.

For general insurance, APRA will this year continue its work on the Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA), involving Australia’s largest general insurers. The insurance CVA will assess the potential impacts of climate change on home insurance affordability out to 2050.

A new Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus released by the federal government showcases 52 investment-ready critical minerals projects.

Former Macquarie executive Ivan Power has been appointed the inaugural chief executive of the National Reconstruction Fund, which will support industry in seven areas, including renewables and value-added resources.

Power is also a board member of Generation Australia, which aims to place people into jobs at scale.

The Senate committee inquiry into Senator David Pocock's intergenerational equity Bill will hold its first hearing on 22 February, while the Senate inquiry into greenwashing will hold its first hearing on 4 March, with the programs for both hearings yet to be finalised.

The federal government has awarded $136.8 million to BlueScope to help finance a blast furnace reline at its Port Kembla steelworks, while Liberty Steel will receive $63.2 million to to replace the existing blast furnace at its Whyalla steelworks with a low-carbon electric arc furnace.

The grants have been awarded through the Powering the Regions Fund.

The Clean Energy Regulator has released its latest Large-scale Renewable Energy Target market data, which shows a total of 2.2GW of new capacity was approved to earn Large-scale Generation Certificates in 2023.

The Australian Energy Regulator's latest Wholesale Markets Quarterly Report shows that average annual wholesale electricity prices in the National Electricity Market (NEM) fell by between 44% and 64% in 2023, and average annual east coast gas market spot prices fell by 43%. 

Prices fell due to milder weather conditions, lower fuel costs, fewer coal supply issues, and an increase in cheap wind and solar supply. 

Consultation opportunity - fuel efficiency. The government plans to legislate a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which will impose a gradually strengthening limit on CO2 grams emitted per kilometre by new vehicles sold in Australia.

The standard would operate from 2025 - with one applying to cars and SUVs, and another for utes and light commercial vehicles - and by about 2028 would catch up with the US standard.

Australia and Russia are currently the only developed countries that don't have fuel efficiency standards. Comments are due by 4 March.

Energy Economics has published a paper titled 'Waiting to generate: An analysis of onshore wind and solar PV project development lead-times in Australia', by Thomas Clapin and Thomas Longden.

"There is an enduring knowledge gap about the capacity of regional Australia to meet the growing demand for clean energy workers," says a joint submission by the Clean Energy Council and the Australian Hydrogen Council to Jobs and Skills Australia on its FY25 work plan.

The Queensland Treasury Corporation has issued a $2.75 billion certified green bond, with a coupon rate of 4.75%, and a maturity date of 2 February 2034.

Proceeds from QTC green bonds are allocated against qualifying state green projects and assets that support Queensland's pathway to climate resilience and a sustainable economy.

The latest issuance means QTC now has six green bonds on issue, with a total value of $13.3 billion.

New grant opportunity - low emissions. The Queensland government is inviting expressions of interest from metallurgical coal mines for grants under its Low Emissions Investment Partnerships program.

The LEIP program supports projects that can deliver large reductions in scope 1 emissions.

Queensland’s metallurgical coal mines are concentrated in the Bowen Basin and produce about 90% of Australia’s metallurgical coal exports.

The Independent Planning Commission has approved Elgin Energy's $152 million Glanmire 60MW solar farm, which will be located approximately 7 kilometres east of Bathurst. The project includes a 60MW/120 MW-hour battery.

The Northern Territory government has started consultations on its Remote Power System Strategy (RPSS), which aims to ensure that by 2030, a total of 70% of the electricity consumed in the 72 communities serviced by Indigenous Essential Services comes from renewables.

The initial consultations will involve organisations including Land Councils, regional councils, and Local Aboriginal Corporations. 

Issue 29, 29 January 2024

The Climate Change Authority has released submissions made in response to its NGER survey, and in response to its discussion paper on modelling Australia's emissions reductions pathways.

Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King and WA Mines Minister David Michael last week met with nickel and lithium producers to discuss challenges facing the industry, as well as possible government responses. 

The meetings discussed how to secure market advantage for Australian nickel and lithium, given the ESG credentials of Australian production processes.

Record generation from grid-scale renewables and rooftop solar is triggering a fall in wholesale energy prices and greenhouse gas emissions, according to AEMO's latest  Quarterly Energy Dynamics report.

The increase in renewable energy generation meant that the National Electricity Market also recorded it's lowest carbon intensity on record at 0.59tCO2/MWh.

AEMO chief executive Daniel Westerman noted that rooftop solar met 101% of South Australia's total electricity demand early in the afternoon of 31 December last year.

"On the afternoon of 24 October rooftop solar and grid-scale renewables provided 72% of all electricity across the east coast," Westerman added. 

A Queensland Parliamentary inquiry into the government's Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill is currently holding public hearings.

The NSW government is investigating options to expand its Renewable Fuel Scheme (RFS) beyond hydrogen, to include additional renewable fuels and liable parties, and will consult on options in mid-2204.

In its current form, the RFS sets a target for green hydrogen production, starting from 2025. The annual target gradually increases to 8 million gigajoules by 2030. Liable parties under the scheme are natural gas retailers and large gas users that don't purchase gas through a retailer. 

The state government is currently consulting on the first rule for the RFS, which sets out the calculation methods and eligibility requirements to create certificates for green hydrogen production. Comments are due by 2 February.

The Tasmanian government will streamline the approvals process for new renewable energy projects, through a new Renewable Energy Approvals Pathway (REAP).

Components of the REAP will include establishing a Major Renewable Energy Project case management team within government.

In addition, Tasmania will establish assessment protocols in conjunction with the federal government, to prevent delays and the provision of inconsistent advice.

It will also establish a guideline on community benefit schemes specific to Tasmania.

The WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will run regional carbon farming workshops between February and April.

The WA government has released an updated guide to climate science resources for Western Australia.

Issue 28, 22 January 2024

Although DCCEEW reports annually on progress towards climate targets, it can't demonstrate the extent to which specific programs will contribute towards overall emissions reductions, according to the Australian National Audit Office.

The ANAO audit report on DCCEEW governance arrangements notes that high-level oversight of work on net-zero sectoral plans is being provided by the Net Zero Senior Officials Committee and the Net Zero Secretaries Committee.

The sector plans, which will feed into a new national 'net zero by 2050' plan and Australia's 2035 target, will then be put to the Net Zero Economy Committee of Cabinet for consideration, the audit report notes.

The federal government will provide a $70 million grant to help develop the Bell Bay hydrogen hub in Northern Tasmania, which will produce 45,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen a year – enough to fuel over 2,200 heavy vehicles annually.

The Tasmanian government is leading a consortium of partners, including TasPorts, TasNetworks, TasWater, TasIrrigation and the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone, to deliver the project.

Bell Bay is well-suited for a hydrogen hub because of its deep-water port and the state's 100% renewables electricity grid.

Hydrogen hub projects in Kwinana, the Hunter, Gladstone, and Port Bonython have previously been awarded federal funding.

The federal and NSW governments will each allocate $87.5 million over four years for energy efficiency upgrades in the state's social housing.

Meanwhile, a $16.6 million partnership between the federal and Tasmanian governments will fund energy upgrades in more than 1,600 social housing properties, equivalent to about 11% of the state's social housing.

The ACT has become the first jurisdiction to adopt all provisions of the latest (2022) version of the National Construction Code, including the requirement that all new houses have a 7-star equivalent energy rating.

The Victorian government has accepted a referral by Esso for a pipeline that would connect to a proposed carbon capture and storage project off the coast of Gippsland.

Esso's South East Australia CCS hub would initially store CO2 in the depleted Bream field off the coast of Victoria's Gippsland coast.

The CO2 pipeline would be 19 kilometres long, and the shore end of it would be located near the Longford gas conditioning plant.

The CO2 stream available for injection - which is currently separated and vented from the Longford plant - is forecast to average about 0.5 million tonnes annually, with a cumulative injection of approximately 3 million tonnes. The referral also encompasses some changes at the Longford plant.

This initial phase would provide a foundation for potential future expansion, to allow for the injection and storage of CO2 from third party sources.

The Bream reservoir ceased production in September 2020, after more than 30 years of production.

The WA EPA has received a referral from Province Energy Ltd for its HyEnergy green hydrogen and ammonia export project near Carnarvon, that would incorporate up to 6.8 GW of wind and up to 5.2 GW of solar.

Issue 27, 15 January 2024

New consultation opportunity and statutory development - mandatory climate risk disclosure. A federal draft Bill on climate-related financial disclosure would phase in requirements for companies, super funds, and NGER reporters to prepare annual climate statements. 

Matters covered in the statements would include any metrics and targets for scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions (with scope 3 metrics and targets to be disclosed from the second annual statement onwards). Comments are due by 9 February. 

The NSW government has entered a commitment deed with a consortium comprised of ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy as preferred Network Operator for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

The 'ACEREZ' consortium has signed on to seek approval to deliver, operate and maintain the REZ transmission network for the next 35 years. 

The state government has also increased the intended network capacity of the Central-West Orana REZ to 6 GW by 2038. The initial network capacity of the transmission infrastructure is expected to be 4.5 GW.

The next step for the Central-West Orana REZ is to complete regulatory and planning approvals ahead of the final contract with the network operator being awarded and financial close, scheduled for the second half of 2024.

The environmental impact statement for the REZ is currently on public exhibition, allowing stakeholders to have their say on the project. Assuming state and Commonwealth planning approvals are granted in mid-2024, construction will start in early 2025, with initial operation in 2027–28.

Two renewable energy generation projects and three long-duration storage projects were successful in the latest tender round of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, administered by AEMO Services. 

The successful projects, which will receive Long-Term Energy Service Agreement contracts, represent 750MW of renewable energy generation and 524MW/ 4,192MWh of long-duration storage 

They represent $4.2 billion in private sector investment in the state's renewable energy infrastructure, building upon the $4.3 billion in private sector investment committed in AEMO Services' 2 previous tenders.

AEMO Services will conduct biennial tenders in NSW for at least the next decade. 

The NSW government has granted approval for Virya Energy's Yanco Delta wind farm in the state's South West Renewable Energy Zone.

The 1500MW wind farm, comprising 208 wind turbines and an 800MW storage battery, will be built about 10 kilometres north-west of Jerilderie.

Most Victorians are still willing to support renewable energy infrastructure in their local area, such as solar farms (69% ), wind turbines (62%), new transmission lines (64%), large batteries (64%), according to Sustainability Victoria's latest State of Sustainability Report.

But the level of support is between 10 and 20 percentage points lower than was recorded in 2017, says the report, which is based on a survey of more than 2,500 Victorians.

"Careful and well-planned community engagement processes are vital, as once lost, social licence is extremely difficult to regain," the report says.

When asked about the term 'circular economy', 46% of Victorians said they have never heard of it, and a further 26% have heard of it but don't really understand it, the report says.

The Victorian government's new Offshore Wind Implementation Statement 3 deals with matters including procurement and ports, and provides an update on VicGrid's approach to planning the associated transmission infrastructure.

The new statement was released ahead of the federal government's decision that an EPBC referral to assemble offshore wind turbines at the Port of Hastings was environmentally unacceptable, and it describes Hastings as having major advantages for turbine assembly. 

It also outlines workforce opportunities across all stages of offshore wind farm development.

The state government expects to kick off a reverse auction for the supply of offshore wind capacity through an expression of interest phase that will start towards the end of this year, followed by a request for proposal phase in 2025, and contract negotiations and the awarding of contracts in 2026.

The Victorian government has released the Port Phillip Bay Coastal Hazard Assessment, which examines and maps the likely extent of flooding, erosion, and groundwater change over the coming decades.

Amendment VC250 to the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) is now in force, which bans new gas connections for new homes, apartments and residential subdivisions that require a planning permit.

Construction of the South Australian component of Project EnergyConnect, the new high-voltage transmission line between South Australia and New South Wales, has been completed.

Project EnergyConnect is the largest transmission project ever delivered by transmission business ElectraNet. The transmission line covers 206 kilometres from Robertstown to the SA/NSW state border.

A WA EPA assessment report on BP’s Kwinana Renewable Fuels Project, says it is good practice to repurpose an old oil refinery for biofuel production.

The facility would process up to 1,600 cubic metres of biofuel feedstock per day, the report notes.

The EPA report proposes approval conditions that would allow the state government to advise BP that a greenhouse gas management plan is not required to be implemented, if the Safeguard Mechanism applies to the facility. 

The proposed conditions include an emissions reduction trajectory reaching net-zero by 2050. 

Infrastructure WA's inaugural annual implementation progress report says the challenge for climate change and sustainability is "to convert innovation into business-as-usual practices". 

It also encourages the development of a short to medium-term implementation plan to support the energy transition. 

Issue 26, 8 January 2024

The Clean Energy Regulator has entered into a contract with Trovio Group to develop and deliver a new Unit & Certificate Register for Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).

The new register will consolidate the Clean Energy Regulator's current registers, and will progressively also record holdings of international units, large-scale generation certificates (LGCs), and small-scale technology certificates (STCs).

It will also support new future units and certificates, such as Safeguard Mechanism credit units (SMCs) and Guarantee of Origin (GO) certificates.

In a related move, the Regulator and the ASX are working together to develop a carbon exchange market, initially for ACCUs.

The Regulator currently anticipates the Register will be operating by the second half of 2024, and the Australian Carbon Exchange will be launched between late-2024 to early-2025.

Newly-released submissions to a Senate committee inquiry show that the National Environmental Law Association, the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand, and Engineers Australia are among the organisations that support the intent of an intergenerational equity Bill introduced by independent Senator David Pocock.

The Bill would require approval decision-makers for proposed fossil fuel projects to ensure that their scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions don't constitute a material risk to the health and wellbeing of current and future Australian children.

Australia's List of Critical Minerals that are deemed essential to the nation's energy and security requirements has been expanded to include fluorine, molybdenum, arsenic, selenium, and tellurium.

The federal government has also released a new Strategic Materials List of commodities essential for the energy transition, but which are not at risk of supply chain disruptions. The Strategic Materials list includes copper, nickel, aluminium, phosphorous, tin, and zinc.

In addition, the government plans to investigate the creation of Strategic Critical Minerals Hubs around the country. 

Meanwhile, the latest Resources and Energy Quarterly, released by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, has identified a 75% increase in the value of committed critical minerals projects over the past year, from $6.7 billion in 2022 to $11.8 billion in 2023. 

The six projects shortlisted under ARENA's $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Program are:

• bp Low Carbon Australia Pty Ltd (H2Kwinana, 105MW electrolyser capacity)
• HIF Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (HIF Tasmania eFuel Facility, 144MW)
• KEPCO Australia Pty Ltd (Port of Newcastle Green Hydrogen Project, 750MW)
• Origin Energy Future Fuels Pty Ltd (Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub, 50MW in phase 1, then up to 200MW)
• Stanwell Corporation Limited (Central Queensland Hydrogen Project, 720MW)
• Murchison Hydrogen Renewables Pty Ltd as trustee for Murchison Hydrogen Renewables Project Trust (Murchison Hydrogen Renewables Project, 1,625MW).

The six applicants must now submit full applications for their projects, which are among the largest renewable hydrogen projects in the world and represent a total electrolyser capacity of more than 3.5 GW.

The CEFC is investing $75 million in an equity raise for a new Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund that is targeting $600 million over the next year, and has so far raised $450 million.

The fund will be managed by New Forests, and it aims to deliver one million tonnes of carbon abatement over the next decade.

It will support the development of new plantations, and the conversion of existing hardwood plantations to softwood plantations that have higher carbon abatement potential because of their longer rotation periods.

The plantations will generate ACCUs in recognition of their carbon abatement, and the fund will also invest in agriculture and downstream timber processing opportunities, with the majority of assets located in Australia.

Other participants in the equity raise include German pension fund Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK), and one of northern Europe’s largest pension funds, Andra AP-fonden (AP2).

Minister Chris Bowen has made preliminary decisions on the granting of feasibility licences for offshore wind projects in Commonwealth waters off the Gippsland region in Victoria.

Of the 37 applications received:

• six are under preliminary consideration for the granting of feasibility licences and have begun the next stage of consultation with First Nation groups.
• six are under preliminary consideration to progress through the regime's overlapping application process, where applicants will be invited to revise and resubmit their applications to remove overlap with other equally meritorious applicants.
• a preliminary decision has been made to not to proceed to grant a feasibility licence in relation to the remaining 25 applications, on the basis that they are not as meritorious.

If all six proposed projects under preliminary consideration for a licence were to proceed, they could generate 12GW of electricity and create over 25,000 construction jobs and 1,500 ongoing jobs. These numbers would increase if the other six applications resolve their overlap and proceed to commercialisation.

A final decision on licences will be made early this year.

Revised grant opportunity. Applications are now being accepted for grants under ARENA's $40 million National Industrial Transformation Program which, unlike the $400 million Industrial Transformation Stream, is not restricted to regional NGER reporters.

New consultation opportunity - renewables. Firmed renewables are the cheapest form of energy in Australia, according to the draft 2023-24 GenCost report prepared by CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator.

The report shows utility-scale solar and onshore wind costs, including transmission and storage costs, are two to seven times cheaper than new coal and small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).

Updated data on new-build projects found that the cost of onshore wind generation rose by 8%, while large-scale solar PV fell by the same proportion. The cost of gas turbine technologies increased by 14%.  

Comments on the draft GenCost report are due by 9 February.

New consultation opportunity - Safeguard Mechanism. Projects engaged in activities involving on-site electricity production, iron and steel-making, hydrogen production, met coal mining, oil and gas production, lithium ore mining and lithium hydroxide production, or hydrogen production, will be affected by proposed Safeguard Mechanism changes.

The proposed amendments to the Safeguard Rules would finalise remaining production variables, make changes to some existing production variables, and set international best practice benchmarks for priority new activities.

Comments close on 16 January.

The Climate Change Authority in December published its latest appraisal of the ACCU scheme, doing so exactly one year after the Chubb review was released.

The report says the ACCU regime should be amended so it can support engineered forms of greenhouse gas removal, like direct air capture with carbon storage or mineral carbonation, describing engineered removals as "the way of the future for offsets markets", given the need to eventually achieve net negative emissions. 

 The report backs a range of significant changes to the ACCU regime, building on the Chubb recommendations. 

In addition, it notes that the new Australian Carbon Exchange and associated Unit Register (see above) provide opportunities to enhance the transparency of the ACCU scheme, and could pave the way for ratings agencies to enter the market to assess carbon unit quality and provide more information. It points out that these sorts of agencies now operate in the international voluntary carbon market.

A total of 2,400 facilities would have their NGER-reported scope 1 and 2 emissions made publicly available from next year, under a Climate Change Authority recommendation in its appraisal of the NGER scheme.

The requirement would be imposed by requiring facility-level disclosure if facilities emit at least 5,000 tonnes of greenhouse annually, and it would equate to facility-level public disclosure by about 57% of facilities that report through NGER. 

 The 57% of facilities between them would account for 99% of NGER-reported emissions. 

Currently, NGER only requires reporting at the corporate group level. The Authority's NGER review was released simultaneously with its ACCU scheme review. 

The federal government is introducing new vehicle noxious emissions standards from December 2025.

The change will reduce the level of aromatic hydrocarbons to a maximum of 35% in 95 RON petrol. All vehicles will be able to use the new 95 RON petrol. The existing 91 and 98 RON petrol grades and diesel will be unaffected.

Motorists can expect an increase of $8 per year—or 15 cents a week—for an average passenger vehicle running on 95 RON petrol, the government says. Light commercial vehicles can expect a $13 yearly increase.

The government will also delay by 12 months the start date for requirements that petrol sold in Australia contain no more than 10ppm sulphur. The requirement was scheduled to start in 2024, but will now start in December 2025, to align with the new noxious emissions requirement.

The changes will remove almost 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector by 2050 and will allow Australia to adopt the Euro 6d noxious emissions standards.

The Euro 6d standards will apply to new light vehicle models introduced to the Australian market from December 2025, and new vehicles from existing model lines from 2028.

Details of a separate Australian fuel efficiency standard, which will regulate average CO2 emissions from new vehicles, are yet to be announced.

Associate Professor Cris Brack, an Australian National University forestry expert, has completed his inaugural six-monthly review of checking procedures for human-induced regeneration (HIR) projects under the ACCU Scheme.

HIR projects must undergo regular "gateway checks" to demonstrate that ACCUs are only being issued for land that is progressing towards forest cover.

Brack's review of a subset of 25 HIR projects found they are demonstrating regeneration, proponents are implementing the project activities, and the projects are subject to strong assurance.

The projects examined by Brack are managed by a range of entities, and vary in their age and location.

Videos of government presentations at Australia's COP28 pavilion are available here (videos from the US pavilion are here, and from the We Mean Business pavilion are here).

ARENA has awarded a $9.75 million grant to utility services provider Intellihub to launch a $22 million Demand Flexibility Platform project targeting 510MW of aggregated residential load under combined control, to be achieved through the enrolment of over 140,000 residential hot water systems and solar PV systems.

Electricity retailers will be able to sign up households to the Demand Flexibility Platform and use it to manage their customers as part of a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). Intellihub will provide the interface between electricity retailers and the customer-owned devices.

Facility decommissioning and greenhouse gas exploration, injection and storage are among the topics covered in a new 2024 to 2027 research strategy issued by NOPSEMA, the offshore oil and gas regulator.

Grant opportunity. Local governments can now apply for grants to reduce emissions from their facilities through the $50 million first-round of the Community Energy Upgrades Fund, with grants of between $25,000 and $2.5 million available. Applications close on 30 April.

The federal government has awarded $9.8 million to five soil carbon research projects, through round two of the National Soil Carbon Innovation Challenge.

New consultation opportunity - climate change impacts. Comments are due by 12 February on proposed updates to the Climate Change Considerations chapter in the Australian Rainfall and Runoff Guide to Flood Estimation. 

Transcript of the first hearing of a Senate committee inquiry into residential electrification is now available.

The Clean Energy Regulator has reminded Safeguard-covered facilities to submit their application for an Emissions Intensity Determination for FY24 by 30 April 2024, to avoid being subject to more onerous best-practice emissions intensity values.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has released a report on the potential benefits and risks associated with the rising take-up of EVs.

Issue 25, 18 December 2023

The federal government has provided $87 million to establish a new Cooperative Research Centre for Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture.

The successful Zero Net Emissions Agricultural Cooperative Research Centre (ZNE-Ag CRC) bid was led by the University of Queensland and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and involves a consortium of 73 partners across industry, education and government.

The federal contribution, in conjunction with finance sourced from elsewhere, means the ZNE-Ag CRC has secured a total of $300 million to be spent over 10 years.  

There is a 43% chance that the transformation of the National Electricity Market will follow a "step change" scenario, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator's draft 2024 Integrated System Plan.

However, there is only a 15% chance that it will follow a "green energy exports" scenario, which would align with government ambitions for Australia to become a green energy superpower.

Under the step change scenario, at least 90% of the NEM’s coal fleet is forecast to retire before 2035, and the entire fleet will be retired by 2038, AEMO now says.

Under the step change scenario, the lowest cost, optimal pathway for ensuring secure and reliable energy would involve:

• Adding close to 10,000 km of new and upgraded transmission by 2050, with around a quarter underway and half to be delivered in the next decade. (If Australia is to pursue the more transformational Green Energy Exports scenario, then over twice as much transmission would be needed, delivered at a much faster pace.)
• Tripling grid-scale variable renewable generation by 2030 (57GW) and increasing it seven-fold by 2050 (126GW).
• Adding almost four times the firming capacity from dispatchable storage, hydro and gas-powered generation by 2050 (74GW).
• Supporting a four-fold increase in rooftop solar capacity by 2050 (72 GW).

Delivering the transmission projects  identified in the ISP would avoid $17 billion in additional costs to consumers, compared to not delivering them, according to AEMO.

Comments on the draft ISP are due by 16 February.

Consultation opportunity. Comments on a new consultation paper on an orderly exit management framework for coal-fired power stations, which would be given statutory force, are due by 2 February.

Grant opportunity. The Australian and UK governments are inviting applications for grants of up to $2 million for hydrogen research, development and demonstration projects. Applications close on 19 January.

The federal government has awarded carbon farming outreach program grants to five organisations - the Aboriginal Biodiversity Conservation Foundation ($2 million, the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board ($1.7 million), Dairy Australia ($1.25 million), the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action ($4.3 million, and the Grower Group Alliance ($8 million).

ARENA is providing not-for-profit organisation EnergyLab with a $1.64 million grant to deliver entrepreneurial support services to help develop renewable energy start-ups.

At COP28, Australia became a signatory to a new Joint declaration on ocean and climate action, pledging to consider ocean-based action in its national climate goals, and to develop a Sustainable Ocean Plan.

Other signatories include the US, the UK, France, Indonesia, and Fiji.

Australia also endorsed the Mangrove Breakthrough, which aims to secure the future of more than 15 million hectares of mangroves globally by 2030, underpinned by US$4 billion of sustainable finance.

Statutory development. Queensland's Premier Steven Miles has announced plans to legislate a new 2035 emissions reduction target of 75% below 2005 levels.

A Department of Planning and Environment environmental plantings project has been issued with 24,026 Australian Carbon Credit Units, worth more than $768,800 at the current generic ACCU spot price.

The environmental plantings have been carried out in degraded National Parks reserves that were previously used for forestry, mining or agricultural purposes.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is the first parks agency in Australia to commit to becoming carbon positive by 2028, and the ACCUs will be used to offset any residual NPWS emissions, and generate revenue.

Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and the Clean Energy Investor Group have released a briefing paper recommending measures to speed NSW approval processes for clean energy projects.

The paper recommends that greater use be made of the Critical State Significant Infrastructure approval pathway (through ministerial declaration), which has proved faster than the State Significant Development pathway.

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved the $370 million, 215MW Oxley solar farm proposed for the New England Renewable Energy Zone. The project will also have a 50MW/50MWh battery.

The Victorian government has released an update to the state's Gas Substitution Roadmap, which proposes additional measures to support the move away from fossil gas.

The update notes that current analysis suggests biomethane could supply up to half of Victoria’s existing industrial fossil gas use.

It also notes that most of Victoria’s industrial gas users are located within 20 kilometres of a potential biogas source – around 70% are within 20 kilometres of a landfill site and around 80% are within 20 kilometres of a wastewater treatment plant.

Additional measures proposed in the update include:

• Investigating options to progressively electrify all new and existing residential and most commercial buildings through a regulatory impact statement process. This process will include an examination of the costs and benefits of requiring existing gas appliances that reach end-of-life to be replaced with electric ones.
• Releasing a policy directions paper in 2024 on scaling up biomethane and renewable hydrogen production.
• Expanding the Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme to include incentives for upgrades to efficient electric cooktops.
• Expanding minimum standards for rented homes to cover ceiling insulation, draught-sealing, hot water and cooling.

A new WA Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategy (SERS) lists decarbonisation actions to be implemented in the electricity, industry, transport, building, waste, and agriculture sectors.

Actions include:

• Unlocking additional investment in renewable energy in WA's main energy grid;
• Facilitating decarbonisation in the Pilbara through common-use infrastructure for the resources sector, including the creation of renewable generation hubs in consultation with Traditional Owners and other affected communities;
• Developing a Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage action plan;
• Reviewing the state's Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy.

From 2031 onwards, the WA domestic gas market is anticipated to experience a deficit exceeding 100 terajoules per day, which equates to more than 10% of demand each year, according to a new analysis from the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Issue 24, 11 December 2023

Existing federal and state waste reduction and resource recovery targets are nearly all unlikely to be met, says a new report by consultancy Blue Environment, newly released by DCCEEW.

Goals that are unlikely to be attained include the existing national target for 2030 of 80% resource recovery, the report notes.

The main purpose of the report was to develop new emissions projections for the waste sector, and it recommends that estimates of future landfill emissions shouldn't be based on the assumption that existing waste targets will be achieved.

A new Green Bond Framework released by the Australian Financial Management Office outlines how green bonds will be used to finance eligible green expenditure.

The Framework is aligned to the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) Green Bond Principles. The federal government's first issue of green bonds is expected to occur in mid-2024.

Only 170MW of large-scale renewable energy generation reached Final Investment Decision in the September 2023 quarter, says the latest quarterly carbon market report from the Clean Energy Regulator.

However, the Regulator approved newly-completed large-scale generators with a joint capacity of 608MW to earn large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) in the September quarter, and the annual total capacity approved to earn LGCs in 2023 is likely to be about 2.5GW, it says.

The generic spot price for Australian Carbon Credit Units traded between $30.50 and $32.00 for much of the September quarter, the report says.

A quarterly record of 813MW of rooftop solar was installed in the September quarter.

Australia can use existing technologies to reduce emissions by 52% from 2020 levels by 2030, says a new CSIRO report on on Rapid decarbonisation pathways for Australia.

New consultation opportunity. DCCEEW is seeking survey responses by 22 December on a proposed transport and infrastructure net zero roadmap and action plan.

Statutory development. A new Queensland Rural and Regional Adjustment (Battery Booster Rebate Scheme) Amendment Regulation establishes a Battery Booster Rebate Scheme that will provide a rebate of up to $4,000 to households that purchase an energy storage battery.

The state and federal governments are jointly providing $12 million over two years to fund the scheme, which will be sufficient to assist up to 4,000 households.

Transcript is now available of the first hearing of a new NSW parliamentary inquiry into undergrounding transmission infrastructure.

The WA government and Chevron have jointly established a $40 million Lower Carbon Grants Program, and in tandem will establish a $4 million GreenTech Hub to accelerate green technologies and services.

The Gorgon joint venture is providing the $40 million for the grant scheme, which will fund "large, transformational research and innovation activity".

The state government is currently inviting expressions of interest to administer the GreenTechHub.

The WA government is backing a $1.86 million project to develop climate resilience among Traditional Owners in the West Kimberley. The three year project will be jointly coordinated by the Nulungu Institute Research and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. 

The NT EPA has released its assessment of the Darwin Pipeline Duplication proposed by Santos, which is a component of the company's plans to develop the Barossa gas field.

The EPA concludes the 100 kilometre-long pipeline duplication can be carried out in an acceptable manner, and has submitted a draft approval to the NT Environment Minister.

Issue 23, 4 December 2023

The federal government has released the latest annual climate change statement, along with annual progress advice from the Climate Change Authority, Australia's latest emissions projections, and the latest national greenhouse gas inventory quarterly update.

The documents show emissions are projected to be 42% below 2005 levels by 2030, based on announced policies - just shy of the government's 43% reduction target.

The impact of investments through the National Reconstruction Fund, Hydrogen Headstart, and some streams of the Powering the Regions Fund are not yet included, and could deliver additional emissions reductions. 

The Climate Change Authority advice - which includes more than 40 recommendations - says that every percentage point we fall short of achieving 82% renewables would equate to about two million more tonnes of greenhouse gas abatement that would have to be found elsewhere in the economy, to still achieve the overall 43% reduction target.

Australia's climate has already risen on average by 1.48 degrees since 1900.

Australia’s emissions are now 24.5% below 2005 levels. Minister Chris Bowen's speech to Parliament on the annual statement is here.

The introduction of production incentives to support the transition to net zero emissions "should be an immediate priority", says a new House of Representatives report on advanced manufacturing.

These incentives could be in the form of tax rebates tied to production levels (known as production credits), or other mechanisms, says the report from the House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources.

The report also recommends that the federal government establish "a series of significant government-owned advanced manufacturing common-user facilities in strategic locations across Australia, to make it simpler for manufacturers to access the advanced technologies and infrastructure they need to excel in national priority areas".

The federal government's new Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy and roadmap provides for a whole-of-government approach to purchasing electricity, and sets out requirements for buildings and transport.

Low-emissions requirements will also be phased in for key procurements, including property, fleet, travel, and ICT.

The strategy aims to make the Australian Public Service (excluding Defence and security agencies) net-zero by 2030.

Government entities will be encouraged to nominate a Chief Sustainability Officer role within their organisations to champion the strategy.

Entities must develop long-term emissions reduction plans by 30 June 2024, and must continue to annually report their emissions.

The federal government has published its Investment Mandate for the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation. The Corporation's seven key priorities for investment include renewable and low emission technologies, transport, and value-add in agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

The federal government has awarded two research grants - $2.05 million to CSIRO and $2.3 million to the University of Newcastle - for trials of new technology to tackle ventilation air methane from coal mines. The grants were awarded through the Methane Abatement Fund.

The Climate Leaders Coalition has released a new guide for CEOs on credible transitions to net zero.

Statutory development. The NSW Parliament has passed the government's Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023.

The new law will give statutory force to two pre-existing emissions reduction targets (a 50% reduction from 2000 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2050). After amendments successfully introduced in the Legislative Council, it will also set a new target of a 70% reduction by 2035.

The Bill also establishes an independent Net Zero Commission to monitor, review, report on and advise on progress towards the targets, and establishes guiding principles to address climate change.

Climate change is the NSW EPA's "single most critical challenge and priority", and the EPA Board expects the agency to use "every available regulatory tool to drive decarbonisation, a circular economy and climate change adaptation", says the Board's latest regulatory assurance statement.

An ACT regulation to prevent new gas network connections to buildings will commence on 8 December.

The ACT government has released its FY23 Annual Report under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010, and the ACT Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report for FY23. 

Statutory development. The Victorian government has introduced the Climate Change and Energy Legislation Amendment (Renewable Energy and Storage Targets) Bill 2023, which brings forward Victoria’s long-term target for net zero greenhouse gas emissions to 2045, increases the renewable energy target for 2030 to 65%, provides a new renewable energy target of 95% for 2035, and introduces energy storage targets and offshore wind energy targets.

The Bill also requires that climate change be considered during the preparation of planning schemes.

Victoria's Essential Services Commission has published new rules that electricity transmission companies must follow when accessing private land in Victoria. The rules are contained in an enforceable Land Access Code of Practice that will take effect on 1 March.

Victoria's overhauled State Electricity Commission's first investment is a $245 million stake in one of the world's biggest battery projects - the $1 billion Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub near the Melbourne suburb of Melton. The state government says the hub will be operational by 2025.

Many of South Australia's climate indicators are in decline, according to a suite of report cards released by the state government. Themes covered by the cards include rainfall, temperature, sea level, and fire danger.

The state government has also released a climate projections viewer for South Australia.

Statutory development. The WA government has introduced the Climate Change Bill 2023, which formalises the government's net-zero by 2050 target, and requires the setting of five-yearly interim targets and budgets.  

The Bill establishes a mitigation hierarchy that entails reducing emissions as the first priority, with offsetting emissions used "only as a last resort".

The Bill will also require the development of an emissions reduction strategy and climate adaptation strategy, the development of sector adaptation plans, and annual progress reporting to Parliament.

Statutory development. The WA government has introduced a Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill that establishes a legislative framework to regulate the storage and transport of greenhouse gas and natural hydrogen.

Hundreds of households in the WA town of Esperance that converted their homes to all-electric will save an average of 38% on their energy bills as a result of the switch, a study has found.

Horizon Power implemented the electrification project after the private gas network supplier ceased operations in March. Horizon Power has published a Knowledge Sharing Report on the project.

The WA government has rebadged its Household Energy Efficiency Scheme as Energy Ahead, and has allocated an extra $10.8 million to it. The program targets low-income households.

Issue 22, 27 November 2023

The federal government has announced a major expansion of its Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), with the aim of delivering 9GW of dispatchable capacity, and 23GW of variable capacity nationally.

The scheme uses a reverse auction process to award contracts for the supply of renewable energy and storage. The contracts will specify agreed revenue floors and ceilings.

A pilot CIS auction round in NSW has resulted in six contracts being awarded for projects worth $1.8 billion that will deliver 1,075MW of firmed renewable energy by the end of 2025.

The successful projects are AGL Energy's proposed 500MW/1,oooMWh battery at Liddell, Iberdrola's 65MW/130MWh battery in Smithfield (Sydney), Akaysha Energy's Orana Renewable Energy Zone 415MW/1,660MWh battery, and three Enel X virtual power plants.

Pollination Law, a part of global advisory and investment firm Pollination, has supported independent Senator David Pocock's climate change intergenerational equity Bill, in a Senate inquiry submission.

The bill would establish a duty to consider the health and wellbeing of children in Australia when making decisions likely to result in greenhouse gas emissions greater than 100,000 tonnes.

It would also establish a duty not to make certain significant decisions that pose a material risk of harm to the health and wellbeing of children in Australia.

Pollination's submission says the scope of the Bill should be expanded to include significant nature impacts.

Pollination's submission is one of a number newly released by the Senate committee inquiring into the Bill.

ARENA has awarded AGL $864,000 to support testing of a seven-day-ahead energy price forecasting tool that will help commercial and industrial companies to better match their energy demand to available supply.

Melbourne Airport, a logistics company, a major supermarket chain and a water utility are involved in the two-year pricing trial.

Chemicals company WesCEF and gas pipeline business APA Group have received $1.3 million from ARENA to examine the feasibility of producing green hydrogen and transporting it for use at the WesCEF Kwinana ammonia plant.

CSIRO and Swinburne University of Technology’s Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2) have launched a $2.5 million clean hydrogen refuelling station in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton, purpose-built for hydrogen research.  

Taking decisive action to become a nature-positive economy could boost Australia’s national income by AU$47 billion by 2050, according to a new paper from consultancy EY.

The report says current "carbon-focused" policies can drive large-scale land sector sequestration, but will deliver almost no habitat restoration, because environmental plantings are more expensive than other types of landscape-based carbon credit projects.

"We contrast this with a more balanced approach to carbon and biodiversity goals. This delivers more than seven times more native habitat at an opportunity cost of 20% less carbon in 2050, relative to the carbon-focused approach," it says.

The proposed "balanced approach" would uses a levy on all carbon sequestration to fund a top-up payment that incentivises restoration of habitat with high conservation values.

Australia has signed an MoU with Indonesia to collaborate on developing electric vehicle supply chains.

Statutory development. The NSW government has introduced the Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which makes changes designed to smooth the delivery of the energy transition.

The bill amends the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020, and the Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987, but does not make major policy changes.

The ACT government is now accepting registrations from owners corporations to participate in the Solar for Apartments program, which is co-funded by the federal and Territory governments. The program provides owners corporations with grants of up to $100,000 and access to zero-interest loans.

Landfill gas capture at the ACT's Mugga Lane landfill will be expanded, involving two additional 1MW generators, and an additional 12MW of battery storage.

Issue 20, 12 November 2023

Consultation opportunity. The federal government is inviting comments by 13 December on its consultation paper on a proposed agriculture and land net-zero plan.

The governments of Australia and Tuvalu have signed the Falepili Union treaty, which provides the people of Tuvalu with a "special human mobility pathway" to Australia, and greater assistance and support for climate change adaptation.

The new visa category will allow for up to 280 Tuvalu citizens to come to Australia each year, with special rights to work, study and access services.

Australia will also contribute to the new Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), a Pacific-built trust fund that will be established to invest in small-scale climate and disaster resilient projects.

ARENA has provided a $5.43 million grant to aerospace start-up AMSL Aero to help develop an aircraft powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system.

The $10.86 million project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of renewable hydrogen as a fuel for a five-passenger aircraft with a range of up to 1,000km.

ARENA has shortlisted 31 applications (seeking a total of $231 million) to submit full applications for funding under round one of its Community Batteries Funding program, with a total of $120 million on offer under round one.

More than 250 submissions about setting and achieving Australia's emissions reduction targets are now available on the Climate Change Authority website.

The website of the National Reconstruction Fund, which aims to increase the flow of finance into sectors including renewables and low emissions technologies, is now live.

A Senate committee inquiring into climate change-related marine invasive species has unanimously recommended that the federal government develop a fishery for native sea urchins, known as Centro, which are becoming invasive in some areas due to climate change.

In additional comments, the Coalition said that "Australia’s fishing and broader marine industries have been exposed to a perfect storm of pressures", by the government.

"These have included the spread of marine seismic surveys, carbon storage, bans on different kinds of fishing and netting, and offshore wind farms," the Coalition said.

The Clean Energy Council's new submission on the government's Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) scheme cautions on the need to closely examine the likely interplay between REGO and the RET in the latter part of the decade.

NSW has taken an innovative approach to decarbonisation, but the competitiveness challenge should not be under-estimated, because many other jurisdictions are also racing towards net-zero, says a new report from the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.

The decarbonisation innovation study says it is critical that Circular Economy principles and practices are an integral element of the development of NSW's Net Zero economy industries in NSW.

It also notes that Australia’s per capita energy consumption is going in the direction.

Between 2002-03 and 2018-19, Australia’s energy consumption per person increased by 0.2% per year. By comparison, the UK, United States, European Union, Canada and Japan all cut consumption, some by more than 20%.

The federal government has released EnergyAustralia's EPBC referral for a 500MW/2000MWh battery storage system to be located near its Mt Piper power station.

SunCable has announced Tasmania's Bell Bay as the preferred location for the manufacture of its high-voltage sub-sea cables. Currently, all advanced HVDC sub-sea cable manufacturing facilities are located in the Northern Hemisphere.

Bell Bay is the favoured site due to its proximity to one of the country’s few natural deep-water ports, rail infrastructure, and renewable energy infrastructure, according to the state government.

In a new report to the Western Australian government, Chevron says it's Gorgon CCS project has so far injected more than 8.5 million tonnes of CO2.

The company has so far surrendered more than 7.5 million carbon credits to make up for the shortfall between the required injection rate and the actual rate.

Chevron says it has "invested more than AU$3.2 billion in the Carbon Dioxide Injection System with further investment planned in the coming years to improve system performance and increase injection rates".

Consultation opportunity. Comments are due by December 4 on a proposed refresh of Western Australia's critical minerals strategy, with a discussion paper canvassing views on which value chain segments should be prioritised.

Lithium has become Western Australia's second most valuable mineral, after iron ore, new data on mineral and petroleum sales shows.

Lithium (spodumene concentrate) achieved all-time high sales of $21 billion on the back of record prices and expanding production, making it WA's second most valuable mineral. 

Iron ore sales totalled $125 billion, and the value of LNG sales surged to a record $56 billion, almost $18 billion more than in FY22.

A proposal by Woodside Energy to revegetate up to 5,700 hectares of state-managed degraded land in Perth's north and Midwest has been invited to Stage 3 assessment under the Western Australian government's Carbon for Conservation Market-led Proposal process.

The proposal would involve planting native species that benefit Carnaby's Black Cockatoo over multiple years, while potentially providing increased employment opportunities for Aboriginal people and the local community.

Unsuccessful project proponents, that did not progress past stage two, include GreenCollar, CO2 Australia, and Corporate Carbon.

Issue 19, 6 November 2023

Measures to help mobilise the private investment required to achieve a net-zero economy are outlined in a new draft sustainable finance strategy, released by Treasury.

The strategy comprises three pillars, each underpinned by a range of priorities:
* Pillar 1: ensuring that markets have access to high-quality and comparable information to assess the financial risks that climate change and other sustainability issues present to firms, and the impact of firms on the climate and environment.
* Pillar 2: ensuring that financial regulators are well supported in their efforts to address the impacts of climate change on businesses and the financial system.
* Pillar 3: ensuring government takes a leading role in supporting the development of sustainable finance markets and shaping international developments in sustainable finance markets, including through sovereign green bonds.

Comments are due by 1 December.

Five climate-tech start-ups have received a total of $580,000 and business development support through a Climate 10x Accelerator program backed by the federal government, industry, UNSW and the University of Newcastle.

They include SoNiA Green Tech, which has discovered a novel way to manufacture polymer-modified bitumen to significantly reduce energy usage and incorporate waste plastic.

A total of 399MW of large-scale generation was approved to earn large-scale generation certificates in September, bringing the total approved in 2023 to 1,559MW, according to new data from the Clean Energy Regulator.

Australia has supported a proposal put forward by the US and the EU for the World Bank to operate the proposed new international Loss and Damage Fund that would assist vulnerable countries to respond to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

Giving the World Bank a key role in administering the fund would "allow it to start providing funding to where it's needed quickly," Australia's ambassador for climate change Kristin Tilley told Senate Estimates.

Solar technology company SunDrive Solar will use a new $11 million ARENA grant to expand its novel solar cell metallisation technology from prototype-scale (1.5 MW/yr) to commercial capacity (>100 MW/yr).

SunDrive has developed a solar cell metallisation technology that uses copper, a metal that is approximately 100x cheaper and 1000x more abundant than commonly used silver.

The Investor Group on Climate Change has released a discussion paper on making sector transition plans investable.

The Queensland government has announced a $1.3 billion package to progress work on CopperString, which will be Australia’s largest transmission project.

The project will help develop the North West Minerals Province, and the renewable energy potential of North Queensland - ready for construction to start in mid-2024.

The funding package will enable state government-owned Powerlink, alongside construction partners UGL and CPB, to undertake detailed design and engineering and environmental assessments. 

The NSW EPA is developing a Protection of the Environment Policy for Sustainable Construction to help reduce embodied emissions in public infrastructure, and to promote the use of recycled materials in infrastructure projects.

The proposed policy is revealed in a progress report on implementing the EPA's climate change action plan.

The progress report also says the EPA is currently establishing climate change industry advisory groups for the mining and agriculture sectors.

The agency is also developing climate change assessment requirements and guidance to ensure project proponents adequately consider climate change in environmental impact assessment processes. It has already started applying interim climate change assessment requirements to large emitting projects.

In addition, it is trialling new methane measurement and monitoring techniques with the University of New South Wales.

AEMO Services has opened registrations for the fourth tender of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, seeking generation projects located anywhere in NSW that can demonstrate benefits to host communities and financial value to NSW electricity consumers.

Successful participants will be awarded Long-Term Energy Service Agreements (LTESAs), which provide the necessary insurance against future price risk to help fast-track project development.

The 2023 annual update on Victoria's transmission infrastructure, prepared by the Australian Energy Market Operator, notes that the state government will introduce a Bill in early 2024 to establish the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework (VTIF).

The VTIF will guide the planning and development of major electricity transmission infrastructure and Renewable Energy Zones.

Statutory development. Debate has started in the Tasmanian Parliament on the Water Miscellaneous Amendments (Delegation and Industrial Water Supply) Bill 2023.

The Bill will enable Tasmanian Irrigation to supply bulk raw water for hydrogen production.

Statutory development. The South Australian Legislative Assembly has passed the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy (Energy Resources) Amendment Bill, and it will now go to the Legislative Council.

It is based very closely on a Bill introduced by the former state government. However, a significant difference is that this version would introduce a rental payments regime for use of the voids in which CO2 is stored in the state, unless the CO2 comes from sources within Australia.

The rental regime would also apply to the storage of CO2 removed from the atmosphere by Direct Air Capture in Australia, under contract to an international company that is looking for sequestration options that match its overseas emissions.

Issue 18, 30 October 2023

Consultation opportunity. The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) has released draft Australian sustainability standards focused on the disclosure of climate-related financial information.

The AASB is the federal government's accounting standards body.

The draft Australian standards, which are based on disclosure standards published by the international IFRS Foundation, are open for comment until 1 March.

EY has released a briefing that examines differences between the proposed Australian standards, and the IFRS standards.

The CEFC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to cooperate across the hydrogen, renewable energy and electricity infrastructure sectors as both nations strive to decarbonise their economies. 

Under the MoU, the CEFC and JBIC will consider co-investment opportunities in Australia, and will share investment knowledge and experience to support and fast track investment in the clean energy transition in Australia and Japan. 

In the latest investment under the federal hydrogen hubs program, the federal government will invest $69.2 million to develop the Central Queensland hydrogen hub in Queensland.

The hub could produce up to 292,000 tonnes of hydrogen by 2031, for use domestically and for export. Stanwell Corporation is leading the consortium developing the project, with industry matching the federal contribution. Construction will start next year.

Law firm Gilbert + Tobin has issued a review of a "busy month in Australian climate litigation", which discusses the implications of three significant court cases.

Consultation opportunity. The Australian Energy Regulator has released a draft directions paper on social licence issues for electricity transmission infrastructure, with comments due by 1 December.

The federal government has announced a $2 billion expansion of the Critical Minerals Facility, which previously had a $4 billion allocation, while an Australia-US Taskforce on Critical Minerals held its first meeting last week.

Statutory development. The Queensland government has introduced an Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill, which will give legislative force to the state targets of 50% renewable energy by 2030, 70% renewables by 2032, and 80% by 2035, and create a reporting and review mechanism.

The Bill also requires the government to prepare a strategy that will deliver 100% public ownership of transmission and distribution assets, 100% public ownership of deep storage assets, and at least 54% public ownership of generation assets.

In addition, the Bill enacts a Priority Transmission Investment framework to facilitate the identification, assessment, and construction of high-voltage backbone transmission infrastructure, as well as a framework for declaring and managing Renewable Energy Zones.

It also requires the development and regular updating of a Queensland SuperGrid Infrastructure Blueprint, and provides for a Priority Transmission Investment framework to facilitate the rapid deployment of renewables.

It also enshrines in law the state's Job Security Guarantee, to ensure workers in coal-fired power stations have a secure future, and clear employment pathways.

The Bill will also establish three new advisory bodies – the Queensland Energy System Advisory Board, a tripartite Energy Industry Council, and a Queensland Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate to advise on work opportunities.

The Queensland government has released a Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has received approval from the Clean Energy Regulator to earn carbon credits by diverting kerbside-collected food and garden organics from landfill.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has placed on exhibition GMR Energy's proposed $209 million, 150MW/300MWh Armidale Battery Energy Storage System, with comments due by 23 November.

Grant opportunity. Applications from Victorian manufacturers must be submitted by 13 December for grants of between $100,000 and $750,000 to support projects that contribute to the state's transition to net-zero. The grants are being offered through the Made in Victoria - Energy Technologies Manufacturing Program.

Victoria's fledgling State Electricity Commission has released its 2023-2025 Strategic Plan. The plan says the SEC will invest an initial $1 billion to help support 4.5GW of new renewable energy generation and storage.

The Tasmanian government has launched an $8 million Green Hydrogen Price Reduction scheme, to encourage businesses to produce, sell and use green hydrogen in the state.

Applicants will be asked to nominate their proposed sale price of green hydrogen and their cost of production. Payments to successful recipients will cover the difference between the cost of production and a competitive sale price for their green hydrogen.

The scheme aims to support green hydrogen projects ranging in size from 5MW to 10MW.

Consultation opportunity. The Tasmanian government has released a draft emissions reduction and resilience plan for the transport sector, which is accompanied by a "state of play" report on the sector. Comments are due by 29 November.

The federal government is consulting on a proposed offshore wind zone in Bass Strait, off the Tasmanian coast, with comments due by 31 January.

The South Australian government has announced that a consortium comprising ATCO Australia and BOC is its preferred partner to design a hydrogen production and generation project at Whyalla that will incorporate 250MW of electrolysers. EPIC Energy will provide a dual-purpose storage and transmission pipeline for the facility.

More than 2,600 Synergy customers with solar power have signed up to the Western Australian government's Solar Rewards scheme, which gives them a $100 electricity bill credit if they agree to allow Synergy to briefly turn off their solar when electricity demand is low and solar generation is high. The scheme went live on 1 October.

Issue 17, 23 October 2023

Consultation opportunity. A discussion paper on the future of the Climate Active program proposes raising the bar for certification, by requiring certified entities to prepare strategies to reduce scopes 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions.

Tighter constraints would also apply to the use of international offsets, and certified organisations would have to source at least a certain amount of their electricity from renewables.

Comments are due by 15 December.

The Clean Energy Regulator's latest quarterly carbon market report says the ACCU price trended down over the second quarter of 2023, while only a modest 526MW of new large-scale new renewables generation reached a final investment decision.

The Climate Change Authority has released a CSIRO report on reducing the costs of CO2 sequestration.

Large battery storage projects in Victoria and South Australia, as well as other projects in the two states capable of providing dispatchable energy to the grid, can now take the first step towards applying for support through federally-administered Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) agreements.

The agreements provide project developers with greater investment certainty, by specifying an agreed revenue floor and ceiling.

The SA-Vic CIS process will target 600 MW of dispatchable renewable capacity with 4-hour-equivalent duration across the two states.

The Clean Energy Regulator has released guidance for facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism on applying for an Emissions-Intensity Determination (EID). An EID will be crucial in calculating a facility's Safeguard liability.

Grant opportunity. ARENA has invited expressions of interest from proponents of large-scale renewable hydrogen production projects for funding through the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Program. Expressions of interest must be lodged by 10 November.

A joint parliamentary committee on trade and investment has released a report on transitioning Australia to a green energy superpower, which recommends the development of a cross-portfolio national green energy superpower strategy.

"Supporting the net zero transformation" is one of the national priorities listed in the new five-year National Skills Agreement struck between the federal, state and territory governments.

Climateworks has released a report on Delivering Freight Decarbonisation.

There are currently 18 CCS projects at various stages of progress in Australia, aiming to jointly sequester 20 million tonnes of CO₂ a year by 2035, according to Resources Minister Madeleine King. 

Submissions to a Senate inquiry on residential electrification are now available.

The FY23 annual report of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation is now available.

The Clean Energy Council has released a package of 45 recommended measures to ensure Australia reaches 82% renewable energy by 2030.

Statutory development. Queensland's Parliament has passed the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill, which expands the scope of legislation regulating the transport of petroleum and fossil gas to encompass hydrogen and other renewable gases.

Emerging carbon and nature markets will be pivotal in encouraging landholders to go beyond mere compliance with native vegetation protection laws, according to a Queensland government response to an independent review of land clearing in the state.

The report of the panel, led by Professor Hugh Possingham and with members including Professor Andrew Macintosh, as well as the government's response, are now available.

The panel proposes an 'engage, inform, incentivise and reward' approach. It says changing legislation can cause panic clearing, and there are now greater opportunities for landowners to benefit by protecting biodiversity and storing carbon.

"Queensland has an opportunity to become a world leader in carbon- and biodiversity-friendly farming and to realise a significant market advantage as a result," the panel says.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni have officially opened the 180MW Octopus/RES Dulacca wind farm.

State-owned CleanCo has a power purchase agreement to take 70% of Dulacca's output.

The state government has announced a range of new measures to encourage high quality engagement and local participation in preparations for regional energy projects.

The state government will also examine whether the role of the state's GasFields Commission - which aims to ease tensions between gas projects and farmers - should be expanded to include promoting coexistence among renewable energy developments, resource projects, agriculture, and other industries.

Logan City Council has received a $291,785 ARENA grant to investigate producing bio methane, biochar and fertiliser from kerbside-collected food and garden waste. The waste would be processed at the Loganholme wastewater treatment plant.

The state government is seeking responses by 30 October to a survey on zero-emission vehicles.

Statutory development. The NSW government has introduced its Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill, to enshrine the state's emissions reduction targets in law and establish an independent, advisory Net Zero Commission that will also play a role in promoting climate action in the state.

The Bill will give legislative force to the state's existing targets of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030, and reaching net zero by 2050.

Consultation opportunity. The NSW government is seeking feedback by 15 November on proposed changes to its Peak Demand Reduction Scheme.

New amendments to Victoria's 2020 rehabilitation strategy for the Latrobe Valley's three brown coal mines focus to a large extent on the crucial issue of their access to water, to enable their conversion to pit lakes.

The amended strategy says potential access to surface water for mine rehabilitation should be restricted to the wettest times of the year, and mine licensees will not be allowed to take more surface water than they have historically used. The amendments leave open the option of using desalinated or recycled water.

Depending on when each mine closes, and if each void needs water, up to 2,800GL could be required, equivalent to six times Melbourne's annual water use.

A new FY23 progress report on Victoria's VRET scheme says that renewable energy sources accounted for 37.8% of Victoria’s electricity generation in FY23, up from 34.1% in FY22.

As at 30 June 2023, there were 17 renewable energy generation projects under construction or undergoing commissioning in Victoria, with a combined capacity of 1,734MW. A total of 551MW of rooftop solar was also installed.

The state government has relaxed rules for access to its Solar Homes rebate and interest-free loans, and will now allow homeowners to access the program again if they move to a new property. It will also allow homeowners to access it to replace PV systems that are more than 10 years old.

The Tasmanian government has released the implementation plan for its Climate Change Action Plan, which describes the lead agency, approach and timeframe for completing each action.

Statutory development. Western Australia's Legislative Assembly has passed the Electricity Industry Amendment (Distributed Energy Resources) Bill, and it is now before the Legislative Council. The Opposition has indicated its support for the government Bill.

The Bill introduces an overarching state electricity objective that includes an environmental consideration, streamlines regulatory arrangements for the state's major grid, and includes measures to support the uptake of distributed energy resources.

South Korean steel company POSCO and French energy company ENGIE will jointly study the feasibility of using renewable hydrogen to power POSCO's proposed Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) plant in Port Hedland, the state government has announced.

Issue 16, 9 October 2023

The federal government has gazetted National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Safeguard Mechanism) Amendment (Production Variables Update) Rules that update production variables and industry average emission intensities.

The variables and intensity values are used to calculate emission limits (known as baselines) that apply to facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism.

Consultation opportunity. A new federal consultation paper canvasses views on a proposed Future Gas Strategy that will provide a medium (to 2035) and long-term (to 2050) plan for domestic gas production and consumption. Comments are due by 13 November.

The paper discusses Australia's LNG exports, and the use of fossil gas for industrial heat and as a feedstock.

The Australian Institute of Company Directors has released a director's guide to mandatory climate reporting.

"Successful businesses will approach climate reporting as a strategic opportunity to demonstrate the value and the resilience of their organisation, rather than a compliance 'tick box' exercise," it says.

The federal government has released a report prepared by Jobs and Skills Australia on the workforce needed for a net-zero economy.

Based on preliminary modelling, it concludes Australia will need close to two million workers in building and engineering trades by 2050, an increase of around 40% on current numbers.

Depending on different policy approaches to reaching renewable energy goals, the preliminary modelling shows Australia will need approximately 26,000 to 42,000 more electricians in the next seven years.

The Australian Energy Regulator's latest annual State of the Energy Market report, which examines electricity and gas markets, concludes that the greatest challenge for the energy transition is delivering major transmission projects in a timely, least-cost manner.

Videos of keynote addresses from the Investor Group on Climate Change summit in Sydney are now available. Speakers include Professor Mark Howden, Frank Jotzo, Assistant Climate Change Minister Jenny McAllister, and farmer and scientist Dr Anika Molesworth.

Edify Energy's 600MW Smoky Creek solar farm, to be located south of Rockhampton, has received EPBC approval.

The NSW government has released a new net-zero emissions policy for heavy road and rail freight.

The strategy covers regulatory matters, such as removing regulatory incentives for high-emitting vehicles, advocating for the adoption of Euro VI and Euro VII emissions standards, and working with other jurisdictions on appropriate road user charging for low- and zero-emissions vehicles.

The WA government is seeking expressions of interest from large businesses that intend seeking significantly more low-emissions electricity from the South-West grid before 2030, or that plan to connect large-scale generation projects to the South-West grid in the same timeframe.

The EoI process aims to clarify the customer base that will shape future major transmission projects (including potential renewable energy generation hubs), and to prioritise areas for grid investment.

Registrations of interest must be submitted by 1 November.

Issue 14, 25 September 2023

Consultation opportunity. DCCEEW has released for comment a detailed design for Australia's proposed Guarantee of Origin (GO) scheme, which would certify and track the emissions from hydrogen-related projects, and which will also encompass renewable electricity. Comments on the 'REGO' renewable electricity design are due by 17 October, and on other GO aspects are due by 14 November.

Grant opportunity. The federal government is offering grants of up to $15 million for carbon capture or use projects. Expressions of interest must be lodged by 31 October.

New data shows the Clean Energy Regulator paid a total of $36.48 million for 2.58 million ACCUs that were surrendered to it in FY23 under fixed delivery contracts.

This is less than a third of the $107.34 million that it spent buying 8.56 million ACCUs in FY22, with the drop attributable to a market change allowing ACCU holders to exit their delivery contracts with the Regulator, and instead sell them elsewhere.

The Climate Change Authority will host a 17 October webinar on its latest review of the ACCU scheme.

The federal government has cancelled more than 700 million stockpiled Kyoto Protocol-era "carryover" carbon credits, meaning they can't be used to help meet the nation's Paris Agreement emissions reduction commitment.

Tender opportunity. Queensland government-owned CleanCo is inviting expressions of interest from proponents of generation and storage projects that are interested in participating in its Swanbank Clean Energy Hub. Tenders close 20 October.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has placed on exhibition a proposal by Oxley Solar Development Pty Ltd for a 215MW solar farm and a 50 MW/50 MW-hour battery,to be located near Armidale in the New England Renewable Energy Zone.

Also on exhibition are OMPS's Oven Mountain 900MW pumped hydro energy storage project, also proposed for the New England REZ, and the Silver City compressed air 200MW/1600MWh energy storage project proposed by A-CAES NSW Pty Ltd for Broken Hill.

Consultation opportunity. The Victorian government has released a discussion paper on the use of renewable gas by industry. Submissions are due by 6 October.

The Victorian Essential Services Commission has released the 2022 performance report for the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, showing that about 7.8 million certificates were registered in that year. There is also growing business interest in earning certificates from complex "project-based activities".

Issue 13, 18 September 2023

Statutory development. Parliament has passed the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Amendment (Administrative Changes) Bill, which aims to streamline the GEMS energy rating and labelling scheme.

Parliament has instructed the Climate Change Authority to provide advice on potential technology transition and emissions pathways that best support transition to net zero by six sectors.

The Authority must provide its advice by 1 August 2024. Work is already underway in the Authority to develop advice on Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction targets, with its advice on targets due by 1 October 2024.

Consultation opportunity. A new federal government green paper on aviation out to 2050 floats the possibility of measures such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel targets, or a low carbon fuel standard. It also discusses electrification and hydrogen. Comments are due by 30 November.

DCCEEW has released an interim guideline for organisations seeking to draft new methods for creating ACCUs, for consideration by the new Carbon Abatement Integrity Committee.

The Chubb review of the ACCU scheme recommended that proponents be allowed to develop and propose new methods for the creation of ACCUs.

An alliance of clean energy and environmental organisations, and the ACTU, has urged the federal government to commit to a ten-year $100 billion Australian Renewables Industry Package, partly in response to the US Inflation Reduction Act.

The federal government has cancelled about 700 million Kyoto "carryover credits", which means that it can't use abatement nominally achieved more than a decade ago to help meet its 2030 international emissions reduction pledge.

COP28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, has appointed Australia's assistant climate change minister Jenny McAllister, and Chile's Environment Minister, Maisa Rojas, to guide discussions at the COP on climate change adaptation.

Consultation opportunity. A Senate committee inquiry into the Northern Territory's Middle Arm precinct is accepting submissions until 31 October.

The Victorian government has accepted an environmental referral for Neoen's proposed 600MW Navarre wind farm and battery energy storage system, which would be located about 190 kilometres north-west of Melbourne.

The Tasmanian government has signed a Joint Declaration of Intent with the German city of Bremen to collaborate on green hydrogen development.

The South Australian government has introduced the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Bill, which is intended to provide a coordinated approach to administering the state's hydrogen and renewable energy industries.

The Bill introduces a new system for conferring access and licences for projects on pastoral land and state waters.

It also creates five licence types relating to the key stages of renewable energy projects - renewable energy feasibility licences and permits; infrastructure licences; research licences; hydrogen generation licences; and associated infrastructure licences.

Comments are due by 19 September on BP's EPA referral for a renewable diesel and avgas project at Kwinana in Western Australia that would use vegetable oils, animal fats and other biowaste as feedstock.

The WA EPA has recommended that Woodside's proposed solar farm near Karratha be approved. The solar farm would initially have a capacity of 100MW, but would be capable of expansion to 500MW.

Issue 12, 11 September 2023

Consultation opportunity. Andrew Dyer, the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, has released a discussion on paper for his review of community engagement practices for electricity infrastructure. Responses are due by 1 October.

The Investor Group on Climate Change, CDP, and the UN PRI have jointly urged the federal government to ensure its proposed mandatory climate-related financial disclosures regime establish a framework for developing and disclosing 1.5 degree-aligned transition plans.

Consultation opportunity. The Department of Industry, Science, and Resources has released draft national science and research priorities, with priority one being 'Ensuring a net zero future and protecting Australia’s biodiversity'. Comments are due by 29 September.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has committed up to $75 million to a new investment mandate targeting upgrades that reduce the operational emissions of commercial offices, hotels and shopping centres by at least 30%. The CEFC's investment will be managed by commercial real estate investment manager, MaxCap Group.

A Senate committee inquiring into climate-related marine invasive species is due to release its report tomorrow.

A Senate select committee inquiring into Australia's disaster resilience will this month hold hearings in Townsville, Darwin and Brisbane.

ANU Professor Frank Jotzo has been appointed to advise DCCEEW as it investigates the merits of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism or other measures to ensure large-emitting, trade-exposed businesses in Australia remain competitive as they decarbonise.

The federal government has appointed Professor Karen Hussey as full-time Chair of the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC), the statutory body responsible for ensuring the integrity of Australia’s carbon crediting scheme.

A new Greens-instigated Senate inquiry into the Middle Arm industrial precinct in the Northern Territory will examine its role, any climate, environmental, health or cultural heritage impacts that might result from the project, and the conduct of the proposed strategic environmental assessment.

At the ASEAN leaders summit in Jakarta, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced $50 million in funding to help Indonesia de-risk private infrastructure projects to support its net-zero ambitions, and $100 million to support its sustainable finance and Just Energy Transition agenda.

The federal government has released a new South East Asia economic strategy that includes a section on the green energy transition.

The Queensland government has launched a Climate Smart Energy Savers program that provides rebates of up to $1,000 to households purchasing energy efficient appliances, heat pumps or solar hot water systems.

Consultation opportunity. The NSW government has started consultations on a proposed critical minerals and high-tech metals strategy, with comments due by 17 November.

The NSW government will increase coal royalty rates by 2.6 percentage points from 1 July 2024, which will improve NSW's Budget position by more than $2.7 billion over four years.

The NSW government has released its response to the independent Electricity Supply and Reliability Check-up.

Victoria's Minister for Industry and Innovation, Ben Carroll, has announced recipients of the latest round of the Low Carbon Manufacturing Grants Program, to help small and medium-sized manufacturers capitalise on renewable energy opportunities.

Issue 11, 4 September 2023

Grant opportunity. The Powering the Regions Fund will shortly accept applications for grants of between $1 million and $100 million to help cement, lime, alumina and aluminium facilities decarbonise. Applications must be submitted by 2 November.

Reserve Bank deputy governor Michele Bullock, who shortly be the bank's governor, has delivered a speech on the RBA's approach to climate change risk.

Urgent and ongoing investment is needed to maintain energy reliability in the National Electricity Market, according to the latest Electricity Statement of Opportunities report from the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Townsville City Council will earn carbon credits from the introduction of a FOGO kerbside collection, following its registration of a new ERF project, and a Perth-based electric vehicle leasing and rental company, CarBon Leasing and Rentals, has registered a new ERF project under the transport method.

APRA's corporate plan for FY24 says it will conduct a climate vulnerability assessment to assess the implications of climate risk for general insurance access and affordability.

The Clean Energy Regulator has released its corporate plan for FY24 to FY27. and the Climate Change Authority has released its FY24 corporate plan.

Facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism have until 15 November to apply to the Clean Energy Regulator for a multi-year emissions limit to help manage their FY23 excess emissions.

The latest progress report for Snowy 2.0 shows total project costs are now expected to be $12 billion, with full power not delivered until December 2028.

A new report from the Australian Energy Market Commission recommends that Australia aim to ensure all energy consumers have smart meters by the start of the next decade.

The Australian Energy Market Operator will conduct a two-stage tender process for 600MW of dispatchable renewable energy generation and storage in Victoria and South Australia, which is expected to add 6GW to support grid reliability and storage. Further tenders will occur in the two states in 2024.

The federal government is inviting applications for greenhouse gas storage exploration in 10 areas.

Queensland government-owned energy company Stanwell has signed an MoU with global renewables company RWE, with a key focus being the development of two new wind farms by 2029 - the 1,100MW Theodore wind farm in central Queensland, and a 720MW project in southern Queensland.

Ten coastal councils in Queensland will share $3.3 million in state government funding for projects to protect their communities from erosion, storm tides, and the threat of rising sea levels.

The NSW EPA has issued a draft guideline on carbon offsetting for electricity firming infrastructure, which specifies that offsets must be ACCUs from projects in NSW.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition Vena Energy's proposal for a 408MW battery storage system at Bellambi Heights.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition Transgrid's application for environmental approval for HumeLink, transmission infrastructure that will run 360 kilometres from Wagga to Maragle and Bannaby.

A NSW parliamentary committee has issued a report in which government members concluded that HumeLink needed to be an overhead transmission line.

The report also recommended that the state government undertake cumulative impact studies before declaring future renewable energy zones, and that it consider appointing an independent ombudsman on renewable energy projects and transmission infrastructure.

The federal and Victorian governments are providing a total of $92 million to help electrify public housing, and will contribute a total of another $16 million to support solar installations in apartments.

The apartments solar program will provide grants of up to $2,800 per apartment – or up to $140,000 total for each apartment building – for rooftop systems.

ARENA will provide a $10 million grant to Victorian-based RayGen to help develop its combined solar and thermal storage technology.

The Victorian government has joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance - a grouping of governments that aims to achieve a total global offshore wind capacity of at least 380GW by 2030.

Statutory development. South Australia's Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis has introduced the Petroleum and Geeothermal Energy (Energy Resources) Amendment Bill, which will require a rental fee regime for storing regulated substances in natural reservoirs.

However, rental fees will not apply to CO2 produced in Australia and stored in the state, so as not to disincentivise CCS projects like the Santos Moomba project. The exemption will not apply to CO2 imported into Australia for storage.

The federal and Western Australian governments have signed a Rewiring the Nation agreement that will encompass support of up to $3 billion from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for new and upgraded transmission in WA's two main grids.

Statutory development. The state government has introduced the Electricity Industry Amendment (Distributed Energy Resources) Bill, which is designed to support the uptake of technologies such as solar PV and batteries.

Issue 10, 28 August 2023

Seven private peak bodies and three federal agencies have jointly launched the Infrastructure Net Zero initiative.

The ten founders are the Australian Constructors Association, the Australasian Railways Association, Consult Australia, the Green Building Council of Australia, Infrastructure Australia, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Roads Australia, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

Consultation opportunity. DCCEEW has released a discussion paper on implementing recommendations of the Chubb review, which includes sections raising the possibility of adjusting auction procedures and fixed contract exit arrangements. Comments are due by 3 October. Workshops are also planned.

The federal government has released the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the March 2023 quarter, which includes a special section on emissions from harvested native forests.

The federal government has released submissions received during its fuel efficiency standard consultation.

The CEFC invested $1.9 billion in 2022-23 , including a record $1.2 billion in renewable energy and grid-related projects, according to its latest investment update.

CSIRO and corporate advisor RFC Ambrian have formed a new company, Hadean Energy, to commercialise a highly efficient solid oxide electrolysis technology for producing green hydrogen, which will be trialled by BlueScope.

Grant opportunity. ARENA is inviting applications by 19 December under the Regional Microgrids Program, with $75 million to be allocated to First Nations communities, and $50 million to regional microgrid pilot projects.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen last week attended the UNFCCC Pacific Regional High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change in Suva, and convened a Pacific Climate Change Ministers Roundtable.

Consultation opportunity. DFAT is seeking submissions by 30 September on the implementation of the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement (GEA).

DFAT's Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) is calling for applications from potential business partners to trial new ideas or implement established, high-quality solutions for delivering renewable energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste. Concept notes must be submitted by 23 October.

The Investor Group on Climate Change has released a Road to Resilience Strategy to stimulate investment in climate resilience, and has also announced this year's winners of the IGCC climate awards.

Industry and research bodies in Australia and Japan have agreed to conduct research, development and demonstration work to examine the technical feasibility of transporting CO2 by ship from Asia to Australia for storage.

Statutory development. The Queensland government has gazetted the Mineral Resources Amendment Regulation 2023, which reduces the rent for existing and new exploration permits for a mineral other than coal. The rent will be reduced to zero dollars for five years, to encourage exploration for critical minerals.

Grant opportunity. A total of $53.5 million is available under the latest round of funding offered through the Queensland government's Industry Partnership Program. The funding round aims to develop industries that will be in demand as the world decarbonises.

The NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the Clean Energy Council will work together to develop a Code of Practice on managing modern slavery risks in renewable energy value-chains.

A NSW parliamentary committee inquiry into the feasibility of undergrounding renewable energy transmission infrastructure has released transcript of its latest hearing.

The Victorian government has released a referral for a renewable energy terminal within the Port of Hastings that would serve as a base of operations for the assembly of offshore wind farms along the Victorian coast.

The Victorian government and AGL have struck an agreement on the future of the Loy Yang A coal-fired power station, with the details of the agreement kept secret.

Under the terms of the agreement, AGL has confirmed the power station will close in 2035.

Grant opportunity. The Victorian government has launched a $3 million pilot grant program, providing assistance to landowners in the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) region interested in 'environmental plantings' carbon farming projects.

The Victorian government has raised the income threshold for eligibility for its Solar Homes grant program from $180,000 a year to $210,000 a year.

The Victorian government is now also offering home owners discounted home energy rating assessments, through the Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme.

The Tasmanian government has convened a workshop with the waste industry, to help develop an emissions reduction plan for the sector. The government is developing seven sectoral emissions reduction plans, and has previously held a workshop with the transport industry.

Grant opportunity. Round 2 of the Western Australian government's Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program, which provides up to $15,000 for farmers to access professional advice on carbon farming, is open for applications until 29 September.

Issue 9, 21 August 2023

The Climate Change Authority is conducting a survey in the lead-up to its review of the NGER Act, canvassing views on issues including fugitive methane measurement, transparency, and confidentiality. Responses are due by 31 August.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has announced a review to investigate the feasibility of a carbon border tariff, along the lines of the EU CBAM, especially for steel and cement.

The review will be in the context of a broader examination of carbon leakage risks and risk management options, and will take place in conjunction with the development of sectoral decarbonisation strategies. It will be completed in the third quarter of 2024.

The Clean Energy Regulator has scheduled two audit and assurance workshops, one in Sydney on 16 November, and another in Melbourne on 14 December.

ARENA will provide $20.9 million to Wollongong-based startup Hysata to demonstrate its hydrogen electrolyser technology at commercial scale.

Hysata will develop and test a 5MW unit at its manufacturing facility in Port Kembla, which will ultimately be installed next to Stanwell power station in Queensland.

Queensland government-owned Stanwell Corporation will contribute $3 million to the project.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has gazetted a new General Funding Strategy for ARENA.

Australia and California have signed a new climate change Memorandum of Understanding, which deals with matters including clean transport, nature-based solutions, adaptation, clean energy and clean technologies, the circular economy, and research and development.

Consultation opportunity. The federal government is seeking comments by 16 October on a proposed offshore renewable energy area in the Illawarra region, marking the fourth offshore zone to be proposed by the government. Two of the four have so far been officially declared.

The NSW government has placed on exhibition Origin Energy's proposed Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub, with comments due by 19 September. The hub would produce green hydrogen through the electrolysis of recycled water in a 60MW electrolyser. The hydrogen would be used by Orica at its Kooragang Island facility.

The NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer has just released the findings of an independent review of the climate risk method for the NSW regional water strategies program, which it completed in 2020.

Two more solar farms, the 152MW Marulan solar farm and the 350MW Blind Creek solar farm, have received NSW planning approval. The latest approvals mean a total of 19 solar farms have been approved in NSW since the start of 2020, with another 13 in the planning pipeline.

The Victorian government has gazetted changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions that make the Planning Minister the responsible authority for large-scale hydrogen gas production projects.

The SA government has declared copper to be a critical mineral, and will include it in its forthcoming Critical Minerals Strategy. It will also advocate for the inclusion of copper on the national Critical Minerals list.

The SA government has urged all South Australians to participate in a Community Climate Conversations program, discussing how the state can achieve net zero by 2050. The program, which will continue to the end of November, is being run by the Conservation Council of SA and South Australians for Climate Action.

The SA government has released a new Hydrogen Industry Supplier Directory, and a Statement of Capacity: Hydrogen Supply Chain Mapping for SA.

WA Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby has changed greenhouse gas implementation conditions for Woodside's Pluto project, after obtaining advice from the EPA.

The Australian Energy Market Operator's 2023 Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) report highlights the need for significant and sustained investment in generation, storage and transmission to meet reliability standards in WA's main grid, known as the SWIS.

Looking at the upcoming decade, the report forecasts an increase in electricity use and peak demand levels, and expects 1,366MW of coal-fired generation capacity will be retired within the next decade.

Considering existing and committed capacity supply, AEMO forecasts the need for additional capacity throughout the outlook period, including a shortfall of 945MW in 2025-26 and around 4,000MW by 2032-33.

Issue 8, 14 August 2023

Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell and his NZ counterpart Damien O'Connor have signed a sustainable and inclusive trade declaration, which aims to support the transition to net zero.

The Senate has passed a Bill that makes a range of administrative changes to the GEMS energy rating and labelling scheme, and the Bill now goes to the House of Representatives. The Bill implements some of the recommendations of a 2019 review of the Act.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has launched the government's new International Development Policy, which highlights the need for action on climate change and reaffirms Australia's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

A new Senate committee inquiry into Senator David Pocock's Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill is seeking submissions by 20 October, and will report by 1 March 2024.

The Queensland government has gazetted a Regulation to establish a new $16 million Business Energy Saving and Transformation Rebate Scheme that will provide eligible businesses with a 50% rebate for eligible energy efficiency equipment, up to a maximum of $12,500 per applicant.

More than 25% of Queensland's energy is now generated by renewables, and the state is on track to beat its renewable energy target of 50% renewables by 2030, according to Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni.

The Queensland government has gazetted a regulation to facilitate preliminary works on the Borumba pumped hydro project, which will be built by government-owned Queensland Hydro Pty Ltd.

Consultation opportunity. The Queensland government is seeking views on proposed updates of the Queensland Wind Farm Code and associated planning guidelines. Submissions close on 4 September.

The NSW EPA is conducting a mandatory survey of licensees to clarify what action they are already taking on climate change, and to help the agency determine how best to implement its climate change action plan. Survey responses are due by 1 September.

NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos, NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe and Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal have hosted a stakeholder roundtable on proposed new Future Jobs & Investment Authorities that will be established in the coal-producing regions of the Hunter, Illawarra, and the Central West.

Consultation opportunity. The NSW government has placed on exhibition Squadron Energy's proposed Dubbo dual fuel gas/hydrogen 64MW firming power station, with submissions due by 5 September.

Statutory development. Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio has introduced the Energy Legislation Amendment Bill, which will make changes to electricity and gas legislation.

The Victorian government has released a consultation paper on its commitment to ensure all public transport buses purchased from 2025 are zero emissions.

Victoria's Latrobe Valley Authority has released the final version of the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Transition Plan, and a supporting five-year implementation plan.

Amendments to Western Australia's Land Administration Act 1997 and Public Works Act 1902 are now in force, which allow for large areas of Crown land to be used for diverse purposes, including renewable energy generation.

The Northern Territory's Jacana Energy is seeking Expressions of Interest for the supply of up to 100MW of renewable energy for the Darwin-Katherine region.

Issue 7, 7 August 2023

The federal government has released Key Factors Guidance for the offshore renewable energy industry.

EVs will need to reach 100% of new car sales by about 2040, in order for emissions from light vehicles to be largely eliminated by 2050, consistent with Australia’s net-zero target, says a Climate Change Authority submission on fuel efficiency standards.

Five projects will share $12.4 million in International Clean Innovation Researcher Network grants awarded by the federal government.

The Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Amendment (Using New Technologies To Fight Climate Change) Bill has passed the House of Representatives, with Opposition support, and will now go to the Senate.

Senator David Pocock has introduced his Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill, which would require decision-makers under legislation including the EPBC Act and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act to consider the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the health and wellbeing of current and future Australian children.

A new EY briefing says the Safeguard Mechanism will drive significant new emissions abatement, and the price of Australian Carbon Credit Units could rise to about $80 before 2035.

Two renewable energy projects - Squadron Energy's proposed 700MW Spicers Creek wind farm near Dubbo and Athena Energy's proposed 280MW Bendemeer solar farm near Tamworth - are currently on exhibition in NSW.

Consultation opportunity. The ACT government has released a draft integrated energy plan, with a webinar scheduled for 10 August and submissions due by 12 September.

Grant opportunity. The ACT government is offering grants to hospitality businesses to cover up to 50% of the cost of buying electric equipment to replace gas.

The Victorian government has granted approval for Wind Prospect's 350MW Willatook wind farm near Port Fairy, with the Clean Energy Council criticising conditions that require construction to be suspended during the breeding season of the Brolga, which is a listed threatened species, and for larger buffers to protect the Brolga and the Southern Bent-wing Bat.

The WA government is negotiating with a major South Korean renewable energy consortium on the establishment of a green ammonia production facility near Geraldton that would produce up to one million tonnes of ammonia annually. The first exports are expected in 2027.

WA's Horizon Power has purchased a vanadium redox flow battery, for pilot testing in Kununurra.

The state government has awarded $100,000 to Murdoch University to test the suitability of a low-carbon concrete in roadworks. The concrete contains Collie flyash, and the grant was awarded under the Collie Futures Small Grants program.

The Northern Territory government has signed an MoU with Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO) and NT-based Larrakia Energy for a proposed 300MW solar farm that would be located near the Middle Arm Precinct. It would be the NT's largest solar farm, and Australia's largest Aboriginal-owned solar farm.

Issue 6, 31 July 2023

Government and Opposition members of a Senate inquiry into the government's Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Amendment (Using New Technologies to Fight Climate Change) Bill have recommended that it be passed, with Greens members of the Senate committee dissenting.

Consultation opportunity. The federal government is consulting on a proposed update of Australia's Critical Minerals List, with submissions due by 17 August.

A joint statement from a meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NZ Prime Minister Chris Hipkins includes a section on climate that proposes cooperation on several fronts.

State governments must urgently overhaul their approach to land use planning to ensure no more homes are built without regard to flood plain risk, organisations representing planners, builders and insurers said today in a joint statement.

The Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council have released a report on carbon offsets that advocates a "last but not later" approach.

Nexa Advisory has released a report by Endgame Economics on the the likely impacts of delaying closure of NSW's ageing coal-fired Eraring and Vales Point power stations.

From 1 January 2024, planning permits for new homes and residential subdivisions won't allow for gas connections, the Victorian government has announced.

Federal climate change minister Chris Bowen has issued an Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Declaration for an area in Bass Strait off Gippsland.

The WA government has released Western Australia's first climate adaptation strategy.

The WA government has awarded carbon farming grants totalling $2.15 million to eight farming businesses.

Issue 5, 23 July 2023

The federal government will develop sectoral decarbonisation plans for electricity and energy, industry, the built environment, agriculture and land, transport, and resources, Minister Chris Bowen said in a speech to the Clean Energy Council. The waste sector will be included in the industry plan, and the circular economy will be a cross-cutting issue for all sectors.

Minister Bowen has written to the Climate Change Authority for advice on sector pathways. He has also asked the Authority to provide its advice on a 2035 national target, which he expects to receive in late 2024.

Consultation opportunity. DCCEEW is inviting submissions by 11 August on proposed international best practice benchmarks and guidelines for use under the Safeguard Mechanism.

Minister Chris Bowen has gazetted a new Investment Mandate for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which differs in significant respects from the 2020 version.

ARENA has released a white paper on the potential of Ultra Low-Cost Solar (ULCS) for Australia and the world. ARENA's "30-30-30 vision" is 30% solar module efficiency, and an installed cost of solar of 30 cents per watt by 2030.

In addition, ARENA will provide a $3.7 million grant to Enel X for a pilot virtual power plant (VPP) project involving 440 supermarkets and 13 refrigerated warehouses, which will aggregate 20.9MW of flexible demand across the National Electricity Market.

ARENA will also provide a $541,000 grant to the Australian Photovoltaic Institute (APVI), for its $1.12 million Silicon to Solar study, which is examining ways to reduce dependence on imported solar panels.

The federal government has also made a new appointment to the ARENA Board. New Board member Marianna O'Gorman is currently on the Board of Stanwell Corporation and has previously worked at the World Bank.

Tender opportunity. The Clean Energy Regulator has invited audit companies with suitably qualified auditors to tender to be part of its Greenhouse and Energy Audit Services panel. Tenders must be submitted by 15 August.

Grant opportunity. The federal government has invited applications by 16 August for a share of $8.5 million in grants for research into reducing methane emissions in the resources sector. Grants of between $1 million and $5 million are available.

Australia has signed a statement on Accelerating Methane Mitigation from the LNG Value Chain, on the sidelines of an LNG conference in Tokyo. Other signatories are the US, Japan, Korea and the EU.

The federal government will provide $50 million to support the development of secure and diversified clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific - a project taking place under the auspices of the Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program.

Frucor Suntory, the company behind brands including Pepsi, Gatorade, and V Energy, has signed an agreement with Queensland government-owned CleanCo for hte supply of electricity and large-scale generation certificates matching 100% of the power needs of its new $400 million factory at Swanbank, which will open in 2024.

The South Australian government, Hallett Group and Korean companies Elecseed and Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power have signed a statement of cooperation for a Hallett Group plan to produce green cement using fly ash from the former Playford B and Northern Power Stations in Port Augusta, and slag from Nyrstar’s Port Pirie operation.

Korean-Australian green hydrogen specialist Elecseed and Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, one of Korea’s biggest energy companies, will build a 6 MW hydrogen electrolyser at the site of the former power stations, to use in processing the cement. Hallett Group expects to start construction early in the second half of 2024.

Issue 4, 17 July 2023

The Climate Change Authority has released its latest Corporate Emissions Reduction Transparency (CERT) report, with 25 companies and organisations this year opting-in to the disclosure scheme. Participants include AGL, Aldi, Aurizon, ANZ, Baybrick, Coles, the Commonwealth Bank, Dexus, Downer, Fletcher Building, Fortescue, Lendlease, Mirvac, Orica, Pioneer Sail Holdings, Transurban, Westpac, Woodside and Woolworths.

The federal government has appointed climate change and disaster management expert Dr Robert Glasser will lead an independent review of National Natural Disaster Governance Arrangements, which will make recommendations to better prepare governments for the demands of increasing future natural disasters.

Federal, state and territory agriculture ministers have released the first National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture.

Minister Chris Bowen has declared an area offshore from the NSW Hunter Region to be suitable for offshore electricity infrastructure.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has issued an engineering roadmap to 100% renewables, which lists FY24 priority actions.

ARENA has awarded a $32.1 million grant to Rio Tinto to support a $111.1 million trial of hydrogen calcination technology at its Yarwun alumina facility in Gladstone.

Eligible primary producers can now treat certain income they receive on or after 1 July 2022 from eligible ACCUs and carbon abatement activities as primary production income for the purposes of the Farm Management Deposit Scheme and Tax Averaging rules.

Grant opportunity. Farmers and other landholders in Queensland can now apply for the next round of funding under the state's Carbon Farming Advice Scheme, which provides grants of up to $10,000 to obtain carbon farming advice from a Land Restoration Fund approved advisor.

The Queensland government has awarded Alpha HPA a $21 million Industry Partnership Program grant to develop stage two of its $300 million facility in Gladstone, so the company can move to full-scale production of high purity alumina.

The ACT government has appointed seven experts to its new Renewable Energy Innovation Fund Industry Advisory Board. The Board will be chaired by professor Ken Baldwin, director of the ANU's Energy Change Institute.

Statutory development and consultation opportunity. A draft Water Miscellaneous Amendments (Delegation and Industrial Water Supply) Bill aims partly to enable Tasmanian Irrigation to enter into contracts for the supply of water for hydrogen production at sites such as the Bell Bay Green Hydrogen Hub. Submissions are due by 8 August.

The WA government is establishing a Green Energy Major Projects Group within the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation to help steer hydrogen and other green energy projects through approvals processes. It will also establish a Green Energy Expert Panel to provide the EPA with relevant information.

The WA government has welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Western Green Energy Hub - which aims to produce 3.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually from its project in WA's Goldfields-Esperance region - and Korea Electric Power Corp.

Issue 3, 10 July 2023

The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner will lead a review into community engagement practices relating to the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure, which will report to Minister Chris Bowen by the end of the year.

Consultation opportunity. The government is seeking views until 18 July on exposure draft legislation to introduce the Small Business Energy Incentive to help small and medium businesses electrify and save on their energy bills. Businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million will have access to a bonus 20% tax deduction in FY24 for the cost of eligible depreciating assets.

Grant opportunity. ARENA has invited expressions by 1 November for grants under a $30 million funding initiative to reduce emissions in the aviation sector, following the government's launch last month of a long-anticipated Australian Jet-Zero Council.

The Queensland and German governments have launched a $3 million net-zero economy collaborative research program that will focus on matters including biofuels.

The Victorian government has gazetted version nine of the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target guidelines.

The Victorian government has gazetted an amendment to the Victoria Planning Provisions that aims to clarify noise requirements for wind farms.

As part of work to develop a Renewable Energy Zone in North-West Tasmania, Renewables Climate Future Industries Tasmania has this month launched a REZ Mapping Important Places initiative.

Statutory Development. South Australia's Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close, has introduced the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation (Use of Pastoral Land) Amendment Bill, wwhich ensures that pastoral leases can be used for carbon farming and conservation.

Issue 2, 3 July 2023

Consultation opportunity. Treasury is seeking submissions by 21 July on the design of a proposed mandatory climate-related financial risk disclosure regime.

Consultation opportunity. The federal government is seeking comments by 31 August on a proposed area for offshore energy infrastructure that would extend from Warrnambool (Victoria) to Port MacDonnell (SA).

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will earmark $500 million to develop critical minerals projects, building on previous loans totalling $655 million to four critical minerals projects, following the passage of a NAIF Amendment Bill.

The CEFC is providing up to $100 million in finance to underpin the construction of the 850 MW/1680 MWh Waratah Super Battery on the site of former Munmorah coal power plant in NSW.

The CEFC is also providing a $75 million cornerstone investment in Mirvac's build-to-rent sustainable housing venture, and a $35 million investment in the new Adamantem Capital Environmental Opportunities Fund (which targets mid-market companies).

The Clean Energy Regulator has issued a total of 151,312 ACCUs to two soil carbon projects, marking the first significant issuances of soil carbon ACCUs.

Amendments have been gazetted to the NGER Regulations and Determination.

Statutory development. A new Queensland amendment regulation increases the rebate for low to moderate income earners who buy a zero-emissions vehicle, and widens the pool of eligible zero-emissions vehicles.

Grant opportunity. The Queensland government has released a new critical minerals strategy, and has invited applications for grants under the Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund.

The federal government will underwrite investment for up to an additional 550MW of firmed capacity in the NSW Energy Roadmap's firming tender.

The ACT and federal governments have announced a $3.6 million scheme to incentivise rooftop solar installations on apartment blocks in the ACT. Owners corporation committees will be able to access up to $100,000 for rooftop solar, consisting of a grant and interest-free loan.

The Tasmanian government has released the findings of the Tasmania-Port of Rotterdam Hydrogen Supply Chain joint feasibility study, which concludes shipping distance is not a limiting factor, and Tasmanian hydrogen could compete on the proposed Rotterdam HyXchange trading platform.

Consultation opportunity. The South Australian government has released a green paper on the energy transition, with comments due by 13 August.

Issue 1, 26 June 2023

The federal government has allocated another $20 billion to the CEFC, comprising $19 billion earmarked for the Rewiring the Nation program, $1 billion to create a Household Energy Upgrades Fund, and $500 million for a new Powering Australia Technology Fund.

Statutory development and consultation opportunity. Minister Tanya Plibersek has introduced the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Amendment (Using New Technologies to Fight Climate Change) Bill. The Bill would enable a permit to be granted for the export of CO2 streams from CO2 capture processes for the purpose of sequestration, or for the placement of wastes for a marine geoengineering activity. The Senate environment committee will inquire into the Bill and report by July 27.

Consultation opportunity. The federal environment department is consulting on bringing energy efficiency requirements for televisions and computer monitors into line with EU requirements, and introducing mandatory energy efficiency labelling and standby and network power requirements for digital signs. Comments are due by July 4.

Statutory development and consultation opportunity. The Senate environment committee has called for submissions by 6 July to its inquiry into the government's Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Amendment (Administrative Changes) Bill. The committee will report by July 27.

The Albanese government has thrown its support behind a new agriculture investment vehicle, Wilga Farming, that will promote the use of low-emissions technologies and carbon sequestration across Australian farmland. The CEFC will invest $50 million, in Wilga Farming, which owns a 1200-hectare property in NSW, to support a range of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and improve productivity. Wilga Farming will be managed by Gunn Agri Partners.

The Australian Local Government Association has welcomed a federal commitment to establish a new $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund that will co-fund energy upgrades at community facilities with councils.

Grant opportunity. Applications are open until 24 July for grants to land managers under the $17.5 million federal Carbon Farming Outreach program.

Sustainability Victoria has announced 24 businesses and organisations that will share $8 million in bioenergy grants, with the two largest grants of $1 million going to Yarra Valley Water, and Saputo Dairy.

The Victorian government has flagged that it will ban the telemarketing of products and services under its Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme, with a consultation paper due out soon.

The federal government (through $36.1 million from ARENA plus CEFC support) and the Victorian government ($12.3 million) will provide a total of $51 million to establish a 10MW electrolyser (the largest in Australia) near Wodonga, that will use water from a wastewater treatment plant operated by North East Water. The hydrogen will initially be blended into the gas network.

Tasmanians can now obtain loans for insulation products through the state's Energy Saver Loan scheme.

Consultation opportunity. The EPA is inviting comments by 20 July on whether a research pilot project in the Gulf of Carpentaria, proposed by Blue Carbon S2C Pty Ltd, should undergo environmental assessment.

‌Test issue, 20 June 2023

The Senate Economics References Committee has launched a new inquiry into Australia's residential electrification efforts, which will report by the last sitting day of 2024.

The Clean Energy Regulator has published Carbon Estimation Area data, which provides new insight into the performance of landscape-based carbon projects.

CSIRO, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will appear before a 23 June hearing of a joint parliamentary inquiry into Australia's transition to a green energy superpower.‌

Sun Cable, SunDrive Solar and the Australian Steel Institute are among those scheduled to give evidence at a July 5 hearing in Sydney of the House of Representatives inquiry into developing advanced manufacturing in Australia.

The Australian Local Government Association has welcomed a federal commitment to establish a new $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund that will co-fund energy upgrades at community facilities with councils. ‌

Consultation opportunity. ‌‌Comments are due by 30 June on the Climate Change Authority's inquiry into "setting, tracking and achieving Australia's emissions reduction targets".

Consultation opportunity. ‌‌Consultation closes on 30 June on the 2023 offshore greenhouse gas storage acreage release.

Consultation opportunity. ‌‌The Queensland government has released a draft Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill that would enshrine its renewable energy targets in law, establish a Job Security Fund, facilitate construction of the Queensland "SuperGrid", and establish a Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate. Comment closes on 23 June.

The Queensland Budget includes $7 million to help establish the Barcaldine renewable energy zone, which is being developed by Ross Garnaut's Sunshot Industries.

Have your say!‌‌ Comments are due to the NSW government by 28 June on Firm Power's proposal for a 170MW/340MWh battery energy storage facility at Beresfield, near Newcastle.

Tender opportunity. Agriculture Victoria is inviting applications from technical consultants to support farmers in improving their farm business and in managing drought and climate change.

The Victorian government has launched its Clean Economy Workforce Development Strategy 2023-2033.

Statutory development. South Australia's Legislative Assembly has passed the Environment Protection (Objects of Act and Board Attributes) Amendment Bill, which inserts references to climate change into the objects of the state's main environment law, paving the way for the development of an environment protection policy on climate change.

Test issue, 14 June 2023

The federal government has released its Implementation Plan in response to the recommendations of the Chubb Review of the ACCU scheme.

Grant opportunity: ‌‌Applications are open until 24 July for grants to land managers under the $17.5 million federal Carbon Farming Outreach program.

The Clean Energy Regulator has released its latest Quarterly Carbon Market Reportand its April Large-scale Renewable Energy Target market data.

Have your say! ‌‌Comments are due by 30 June on the Climate Change Authority's inquiry into "setting, tracking and achieving Australia's emissions reduction targets".

Australia and New Zealand's treasurers and climate change ministers have signed a Joint Statement to foster cooperation on issues including climate-related disclosures, EV uptake, sustainable finance, and Guarantee of Origin schemes for hydrogen.

The CEFC will provide an $80 million loan to Mulpha Australia to help fund its Norwest Quarter net-zero apartment complex in Sydney's Hills district.

‌ The reporting deadline for two inquiries by the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee have been extended from 30 June to 6 December – the inquiry into the Greens' Climate Trigger Bill and the inquiry into the Greens' Save the Koala Bill. ‌