Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy's weekly data newsletter. This week we explore AEMO's latest Connections Scorecard and where projects are getting stuck. Hard slog The energy transition seems to be marching through quicksand more often than not. The Australian Energy Market Operator’s latest grid Connections Scorecard shows encouraging progress in getting new capacity online, as well as key areas where Australia needs to do much better to get anywhere near transition targets by 2030. On the...
1 day ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: Fallout from ACCU policy change Solar sharer wins few fans Ausgrid smart meter business up for sale Costly end to Emissions Reduction Fund The burial of a key former Abbott government policy for encouraging carbon abatement projects will be slow and financially painful for participants that overcommitted themselves and may have to pay tens of millions of dollars to the federal government to cover shortfalls. The Abbott era Emissions Reduction Fund policy...
2 days ago • 6 min read
Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy Week, your chance to catch up on this week's most important energy news. Prefer to listen? Get The Energy Week on your favourite podcast platform. THE ENERGY WEEK • EPISODE 15 Coal lifelines 07:50 MORE INFO This week's top energy news A resilient summer was capped with the extension of two coal-fired power plants as state governments hedged against rising prices — welcome to our extended catchup edition for those of you just returning to work. Capital Origin...
5 days ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: Kraken gets going with Essential Energy Getting commercial buildings off gas Populism blow to budget forecasting Kraken the peacemaker On the battlefield that pits consumers aiming to fully exploit their own energy resources against distribution companies and retailers that want to control them, UK-based technology platform operator Kraken aims to be a peacemaker. Freshly released to sign new customers for its core customer management product in Australia,...
6 days ago • 6 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: Pricing report under scrutiny Coal support extended in WA Energy innovations win govt grants Making the case for pricing reform Amid a deluge in December of reports from across the sector, Australia’s energy rule maker last year released a 163-page draft report as part of its self-initiated review of electricity pricing and whether it’s fit for a consumer-driven world. The report’s recommendations will be scrutinised and debated during the consultation phase...
7 days ago • 7 min read
Hey Reader, welcome to The Energy's weekly data newsletter. This week we explore what the extension of the Eraring Power Station will mean for the transition. Game theory of chicken In a surprise to no-one paying attention, prudence has prevailed in NSW. Origin Energy has postponed the closure of the giant Eraring Power Station for another 20 months, from August next year until April 2029. Many will breathe a sigh of relief that the latest chapter in the long-running game of chicken is over...
8 days ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: Solar sharer's undervoltage questions Balcony solar reviewed in Victoria Investment predictions for 2026 Solar sharer could be a grid headache One of the more contested energy market reforms of 2026 will be changes to the Default Market Offer (DMO). Following an unexpected announcement from the government in November, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland will also need to prepare for the new ‘Solar Sharer Offer’ providing free electricity to...
9 days ago • 6 min read
Hey Reader, in today's edition: New solar recycling commitment Battery numbers impress Coal politics return Solar recycling plan A national product stewardship scheme for small-scale solar PV systems and EV batteries is a step closer as the government responds to the final report of the Productivity Commission’s circular economy inquiry. Progress towards a more circular economy has been hampered by prescriptive, outdated or inconsistent regulations, the Commission has said. Only 17% of solar...
10 days ago • 8 min read
Hey Reader, today we bring you a special January edition: What to watch for in 2026 - From The Energy's advisory board We tapped our advisory board to ask what they will be watching out for in 2026. Topping the list are more investment in electrification; a shift in the number of renewables projects reaching FID; and better co-ordination at every stage of the transition. Expert view After a very subdued period for onshore wind last year I will be looking to see if global supply chains...
13 days ago • 5 min read