3 September 2020
Here is the Energy Next news round up for August 2020.
NSW to fund four new big battery projects
The New South Wales government has announced funding support for four new big battery projects at the Sapphire wind project and the Uralla renewable energy hub in New England, another fast-start gas project, and a 6MW “virtual power plant” featuring multiple batteries on the south coast.
Queensland Government announces investment in three renewable energy ‘corridors’
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that Queensland will establish three new renewable energy ‘corridors’ as part of a $145 million investment in new transmission infrastructure to unlock new wind and solar investment in the state.
Western Sydney green hydrogen plant gets accelerated planning tick
New South Wales will soon see construction start on its first renewable hydrogen production facility, with the $18 million Western Sydney Green Gas project being granted an accelerated planning approval by the NSW government as part of NSW's post-coronavirus recovery.
PPA-linked 120 MW solar park goes online in Australia
The 120 MW solar project near Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, the first renewable energy asset in the portfolio of network owner Spark Infrastructure received approvals from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and TransGrid for full commercial operations despite market challenges and delays.
FRV’s Goonumbla solar farm completed in NSW, to supply Snowy Hydro
Construction of the Goonumbla solar farm, developed by international renewable energy company FRV near Parkes in New South Wales and contracted to supply NSW gen-tailer Snowy Hydro has been completed. The 75MW AC project will produce around 195,000MWh a year – enough to power more than 45,000 households.
Goldwind considers green fuels for hybrid gas-battery plant
Goldwind secured $10 million in funding under the NSW government’s Emerging Energy Program, which will see a 12MW/4MWh battery system, along with six 12MW gas reciprocating engines, co-located at one of Goldwind’s existing renewable energy projects in New South Wales.
Solar panel and battery system recycling targeted in NSW grant round
A $10 million New South Wales government grant scheme has been launched to tackle the problem looming on the other side of Australia’s booming solar uptake – what to do with hundreds of millions of PV panels when they reach the end of their working lives.
New England big battery awarded $12.5 million state government grant
Plans for a massive solar and storage project nearby Uralla in the New England region of New South Wales have received a big boost with the announcement of a $12.5 million State Government grant. The funding provided through the government’s Emerging Energy Program will be used to support the construction of a 50 MWh battery that will be collocated with stage 1 of the UPC/AC Renewables’ 720 MW New England Solar Farm.