Catch up
Capital
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An analysis of global investment flows by the International Energy Agency (IEA) found that while data centre operators have a clear preference for renewables and nuclear power, regulatory barriers and cost uncertainties had led many to turn to gas. (AFR)
The IEA forecast global energy investment to increase in 2025 to a record US$3.3 trillion despite geopolitical tensions and recession fears. Globally, spending on low-emissions power generation has almost doubled over the past five years, led by solar PV. Battery storage investments are also climbing rapidly, surging above US$65 billion this year. But investment in grids, now at US$400 billion per year, is failing to keep pace with overall spending on generation and electrification.
The lithium winter is deepening, and even Greenbushes is no longer safe, putting thousands of local jobs at risk. Greenbushes is one of the world's biggest hard-rock lithium spodumene mines, co-owned by China’s Tianqi (SHE: 002466), IGO (ASX: IGO) and American chemicals giant Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) and operated by unlisted Talison Lithium. But all six of WA’s operating lithium mines are feeling the pinch. (The West)
On the eve of a scheduled shutdown, Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG) was ordered to keep a 50-year power plant running to help avert a “national energy emergency”. The justification? Portions of the electricity grid operated by the largest grid operator in the US, PJM Interconnection, had a shortage of facilities for the generation of electric energy and resource adequacy concerns, according to the third Section 202(c) emergency order issued by the US Department of Energy in the past two weeks.
 Projects
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Former BP Australasia president Greg Bourne, now a councillor at the Climate Council, warned the North West Shelf extension, while inevitable, would unleash billions of tonnes of emissions, threaten ancient rock art, and deliver a “pittance” in economic returns to Australians. (7am)
China approved 11.29 GW of new coal power plants in the first three months of 2025, already exceeding the 10.34 GW approved in the first half of 2024, according to a new Greenpeace report. (Reuters)
More than 600 GW of clean energy capacity is at risk of cancellation if the Trump administration’s tax credit cuts are passed into law, according to analysis by project tracker Cleanview. The cut would represent roughly half of America's entire current electricity generation capacity.
Separate analysis by BloombergNEF found wind, solar and storage capacity overall would drop by 10% by 2035 relative to a baseline scenario under the tax bill.
Policy
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A sharp decline in New Zealand’s gas reserves shows why it was right to overturn the oil and gas ban, according to Resources Minister Shane Jones, with the government willing to become a cornerstone investor in gas production. Petroleum reserves data released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment showed gas reserves reduced 27% as of Jan 1 compared to a year earlier. (RNZ) (NZH)
“As well as removing the exploration ban, the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill which comes back before the House soon, better balances the regulatory burden and risk of decommissioning and gives the regulator more flexibility in how exploration permits are issued, giving the sector confidence to get to work.” — NZ Resources Minister Shane Jones
Regulation
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The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) released a series of drafts on the regulation of projects under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap but is delaying the finalisation of supporting guidelines until after the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has completed its update of the NSW framework (the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act and Regulation).
In December, several legislative changes affected the way NSW Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) supporting guidelines applied to network operators, prompting AER to publish a Guidance Note that sets out how these changes ]impact existing and future Network Operators. A result of this change has meant the Cost allocation guideline and Legal and functional separation guideline will not be finalised, AER said.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) granted interim authorisation to allow the Battery Stewardship Scheme to continue with limited levy and rebate adjustments, which the Battery Stewardship Council described as a major milestone for battery recycling and product stewardship in Australia.
Climate
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South Australia’s 2025/26 Budget allocated $8.3 million for Adelaide to prepare to host the COP31 summit, if Australia’s bid for the international climate conference is successful. The government will also have to spend $3.8 million to oversee the sale of hydrogen turbines after the Whyalla rescue package forced the deferral of the hydrogen jobs plan. (ABC)
Tasmania, as the first jurisdiction to hit net zero, marked 10 consecutive years of annual net zero greenhouse gas emissions. While in disarray politically and fiscally (facing its fourth state election in seven years), Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said the data reflected the state’s ongoing investments in renewable sources of energy and carbon sinks in the managed forests.
“We’re proud of the fact that in 2020, Tasmania became one of only a few jurisdictions in the world to achieve 100 per cent self-sufficiency in the generation of renewable sources of energy. Maintaining Tasmania’s image as a clean and green place in which to live, work and raise a family is an important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.” — Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie
People
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New energy engineering jobs are growing so fast that one third go unfilled, Bloomberg reported, in a deep take on 'The Missing Engineers' in the energy transition.
Beyond Zero Emissions CEO Heidi Lee joined Deloitte host Sandra James on a podcast about women transforming energy and resources.
Research
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Meaningfully involving people in energy transition projects early, and in a transparent way, fosters trust and social acceptance, according to a new study from Central Europe. The meta-analysis also found when public participation was handled poorly it could increase resistance.
Random
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It’s too easy for the right to play off the politics of grievance so the Democrats set out to study young men and find out why they are losing this politically alienated voting bloc. (Politico)
