Catch up
Capital
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Positioning itself as a “global LNG powerhouse”, Woodside Energy released a Q1 update to the market, with full-year guidance unchanged and the Scarborough Energy Project on schedule for first LNG cargo in the second half of 2026. Woodside said it was progressing “at pace” towards a final investment decision on Louisiana LNG, which has a Foreign-Trade Zone - enabling the project to defer payment of tariffs until completion of each LNG train.
“Customer demand for Woodside’s LNG remains robust. The 15-year sale and purchase agreement with China Resources announced during the quarter was Woodside’s fourth new long-term contract with a regional customer in just over a year.
"The exceptional value proposition offered by Louisiana LNG was further demonstrated by our 17 April agreement for long-term supply of LNG to Uniper, whose leadership in European energy markets make it an ideal foundation customer for the project." — Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill.
Meanwhile China's CNOOC agreed an LNG deal with UAE’s Adnoc to replace US supply. China’s state-backed energy firms and privately controlled gas distributors may have to renegotiate long-term US contracts, according to analysts.(Reuters) (South China Morning Post)
Shares of US energy giant GE Vernova (NYSE:GEV) rose 9% after it reported higher than expected first-quarter revenue. The pinch of US policy was having an impact though, with nearly a quarter of its annual spending to be impacted by tariffs and steel-related costs. The company's offshore wind business will be the hardest hit, and in Q1 saw a 44% drop in orders. (Reuters)
Tesla profit fell 71% in Q1 (ABC)
 Projects
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Origin Energy’s 1.5GW Yanco Delta Wind Farm development project secured a full 1,460MW allocation of transmission access rights from EnergyCo, supporting a Final Investment Decision targeted for the middle of the 2027 financial year. Origin said it intended to contract for all or the majority of the offtake from the wind farm and continued to assess options to finance the project, including through partnerships with capital providers.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with our host landowners and local stakeholders to develop and construct Yanco Delta Wind Farm in a way that minimises impacts and ensures the region gets to share in the benefits that will flow from a project of this scale.” — Origin CEO Frank Calabria
Someva Renewables and AGL Energy’s wind and battery project was also among the first to be granted an access right in the South West REZ.
“The awarding of an Access Right in the South West REZ marks an important step forward for the Pottinger Energy Park. The Pottinger Energy Park is expected to provide a major boost to the Riverina’s economy and make a lasting contribution to NSW’s renewable energy ambitions.” — Someva Managing Director Jamie Chivers
EnergyCo granted access rights to wind, solar and large-scale battery projects with a combined generation capacity of 3.56GW after receiving bids for around four times the indicative tender target of 3.98GW.
“The South West Renewable Energy Zone is expected to drive more than $17 billion in private investment in solar, wind and energy storage projects, and this landmark tender shows the high interest in investing in NSW. These projects will help ensure NSW has enough renewable energy generation and storage when coal-fired power stations retire. They also give certainty to host-communities, who will directly benefit from the fees paid by these companies to connect to the REZ.” — NSW Climate Change and Energy Minister Penny Sharpe
Policy
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The Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) called on the next federal government to commit to financial assistance for a reliable network of public charging infrastructure. But it must be appropriate for the location and situation as with markedly different costs and usage patterns, some installations represent poor value for money when done badly.
“Ultra rapid DC chargers really belong on busy routes between cities, so drivers can be on their way in 20 minutes. Slower AC chargers are best suited to workplaces, or wherever the vehicle is parked for hours on end. Workplace charging through the day should be widely supported, as this utilises very low cost renewable energy, and reduced demand on the grid at night.” — AEVA National President Dr Chris Jones
Rising utility bills have Americans worried. (Canary Media)
Technology
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SSEN Transmission announced a milestone in unlocking the full potential of high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems to support the energy transition. (Project Scotland)
Research
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An analysis by independent think tank Climate Energy Finance found the Coalition’s nuclear plan would cost the Australian economy at least $4.3 trillion by 2050 attributed to the hollowing out of Australian industry, permanently higher total energy costs, uncosted unabated carbon pollution and trillions of dollars in lost GDP.
“It beggars belief that this is the best the party representing itself as alternative federal government can come up with, as the nation stands on the brink of an immense generational opportunity to remake itself as a global renewables superpower and green energy export leader in a rapidly decarbonising world.” —Clean Energy Finance Director Tim Buckley
Random
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China wants to build a nuclear power plant on the moon (Reuters)
