Yesterday
First snow falls as sudden chill brings wild weather
The first dusting of snow has fallen in the alpine areas of southeast Australia overnight with the bureau forecasting blizzard conditions.
This Month
You promise, you pay: NSW throws Tomago rescue back to feds
The NSW Government is digging in its heels and pleading poor over the GST distribution in the face of federal pressure to bail out the Tomago aluminium smelter.
Labor GST row threatens Tomago smelter bailout
The Albanese government is pushing NSW Premier Chris Minns to make a bigger contribution to its multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Tomago aluminium smelter.
We must avoid future fuel supply disruptions by planning now
The continuing economic impact of the energy crisis is unclear, but we should develop and implement a strategy to deal with the world as it is likely to be.
Labor set to announce massive subsidy package for Boyne smelter
Rio Tinto’s Boyne aluminium smelter is set to be the latest large manufacturing facility to receive taxpayer support.
IEA tells drivers slow down or take the bus as oil crisis bites
The fuel crisis gripping global energy markets could force Australia to choose between international recommendations and local economic reality.
‘A heated room’: Earth’s solar energy regulator is broken, says UN
Under a stable climate, about the same amount of energy comes in from the sun as is reflected. However, heat-trapping greenhouse gases have upset this balance.
Multibillion-dollar cost blowouts prompt calls for grid rethink
Consumers will be on the hook for higher power bills unless changes are made to the way big network projects are designed and approved.
Macquarie-backed Rela blitzes UK farmers with cash-for-lease deals
Rela pays out farmers an upfront lump sum for leasing their land for clean energy projects. Macquarie and Oaktree like what they see.
The $300m power play: Inside the plan to save Tomago
The Albanese government says its plan to save a failing aluminium smelter will turbocharge Australia’s energy transition. But at what cost?
Tomago bailout could lock taxpayers into $300m annual subsidy
A complex deal to save Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter could cost at least $300 million a year in public funding for the next decade.
Don’t tax away Australia’s gas security
The Gas Market Review presents an opportunity to reset national policy and restore certainty and investment confidence for Australian producers and users.
‘Too east-coast focused’: WA could overhaul AEMO’s role
Western Australia has quietly launched a review of the state’s power grid operator, which could result in some of its independent functions being reined in.
Fuel price fears set to light a rocket under EV sales
Fears of a sustained rise in the price of petrol has already led to a surge in new electric vehicle inquiries, according to car dealers.
Labor models changes to home battery rebate in cost-cutting push
If implemented, it would be the second tweak in six months as the government casts a wide net in its search for ways to cut spending before the May budget.
Data centre power emissions double over 5 years
Some of Australia’s top server space providers say big rises in their reported carbon output do not fully reflect their green energy aspirations.
Renewables giant slashes jobs as transition pressures mount
One of Australia’s top renewables developers has cut staff from its key construction division, putting further pressure on Labor’s climate targets.
There’s a sting in Santos’ win over activist greenwashing claims
The oil and gas giant saw off allegations it was misleading investors about its net zero emissions plans. But the decision has raised more questions.
February
Anti-renewables group rebrands after racking up $600k legal bill
A legal stoush with a wind company backed by Andrew Forrest has bankrupted a controversial conservation group. But its campaign against renewables lives on.
Trump-style data centre plan won’t work in Australia: Scroggie
NextDC CEO Craig Scroggie rejected claims the data centre sector’s rapid growth would derail the clean energy transition.
Data centres should bring their own green power: Bowen
Governments should ensure data centre construction is accompanied by investment in new energy supply, Chris Bowen says, as Donald Trump cracks down on facilities.
EV subsidies drive rare drop in transport emissions
Increasing electric vehicle ownership has helped cut annual transport emissions for the first time since the pandemic.
Businesses demand rethink of Victorian offshore wind plan
A top industry group says a failure to build renewables at pace and on budget in Victoria would impose a “terrible cost” to consumers and businesses.
Power road map is not flagging net zero dangers ahead
AEMO should use the Integrated System Plan to provide ministers with a better understanding of the material risks to their preferred pathway.
Data centres must deliver on green power promises
The tech industry says power-hungry data centres will boost the flagging rollout of renewables. Governments should hold them to their word.
