Catch up
Capital
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APA Group’s (ASX: APA) application to convert Basslink into a regulated Transmission Network Service Provider (TNSP) has been accepted by the AER, reversing a draft decision made in December. Until Marinus Link gets up, Basslink is the only electricity interconnector between Tasmania and mainland Australia. How much revenue APA is entitled to earn off Basslink remains a work in progress. The regulator will publish a draft revenue determination in September, intending to finalise it in February 2026, to enable Basslink to become a regulated service on July 1, 2026.
"While regulation is not right for every asset, we believe this decision will ensure Basslink can operate sustainably for the benefit of Tasmanian and Victorian households and businesses over the long-term. Basslink supports energy security in both Victoria and Tasmania. A regulated Basslink will also provide greater certainty for consumers, ensuring prices will remain stable and not subject to daily movements in the electricity spot market.” - APA Group CEO Adam Watson
After waning interest in recent years, the registered capacity of Wholesale Demand Response (WDR) in the NEM saw a spike in June, driving an increase of 23MW since October 2023. (Watt Clarity)
Social media giant Meta signed four new deals with renewable energy developer Invenergy to supply 791MW of solar and wind power for data centres. (Reuters)
 Projects
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Potentia Energy recently received development consent for its 130 MW/260 MWh Ridgey Creek Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project and a Notice to Proceed (NTP) under its connection agreement with electricity network provider Transgrid. Located about 10km west of Parkes in NSW, the $180 million project will now advance and, subject to final investment decision, construction is expected to start this year to be fully operational by early 2027.
Australian manufacturer Tindo signed an agreement with the Bowen Pipeline Company to supply 30MW of solar panels to the still to be developed Bowen Water Pipeline project. The pipeline is planned to bring water from the Burdekin River at Home Hill for use in Bowen by the horticulture and agriculture industries, and by emerging green energy projects including biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel and ammonia.
Policy
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The Queensland government passed the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which tightens social licence requirements for renewable energy projects and extends control over development. What’s changing?
- Large-scale solar farms and wind farms will be “impact assessable”, with mandatory public consultation required
- A binding community benefit system mandates social impact assessments and agreements between proponents and local governments
- The state government becomes the assessment manager for large-scale solar farms across Queensland’s 77 council areas.
NZ passed legislation to formally establish Invest New Zealand, with the agency to be up and running from July 1. “The objectives of Invest New Zealand include attracting foreign direct investment in high potential sectors such as agritech, fintech, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing; attracting new research and development investment in New Zealand by multinational companies and encouraging global companies to expand their own R&D footprint here,” Investment Minister Todd McClay told parliament.
Regulation
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Calling for industry support, Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) said proposed changes to the National Electricity Rules would make networks more efficient and boost the quality of data that vital decisions will be based on in an era of more distributed assets.
“The planning rules for networks were developed before the unprecedented growth in household solar and batteries in Australia and are inadequate for the consumer-driven system that is now emerging. Many communities want to be more engaged in planning their local energy system, and this rule change will assist with that.” - ECA General Manager, Advocacy and Policy, Brian Spak
Worried about the precedent it would set for the way the US Department of Energy cites an emergency in the energy system, eight utility companies in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s footprint challenged the Department’s order to keep a Michigan coal plant open. (Utility Dive)
Technology
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According to a draft determination, the economics don't stack up for an inertia market - yet. System inertia has historically been provided by the massive turbines of coal and gas-fired power plants and the AEMC conceded steps need to be taken now to be ready for what comes next. Industry body the Australian Energy Council said it was disappointed by the decision, but was “open to other mechanisms” to foster innovation in the provision of essential system security. A final determination will be made this year, with feedback due by August 7.
“This is about getting the timing right. Technical enablers like real-time inertia measurement need further development, and recent security framework reforms will enable innovation and learning before we layer on additional changes.” - AEMC Chair Anna Collyer
Climate
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New climate reporting rules start on July 1 and many companies are not ready for the change. (The Conversation)
People
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The Clean Energy Council launched a new job-ready program, including an industry-agreed skills and training matrix, career pathways and a digital skills passport to support and attract the tens of thousands workers needed this decade for the transition to a renewables-led economy.
“From tradespersons from regional areas, adjacent industries, under-represented groups to mature talent with transferrable skills, the skills passport and career pathways help workers understand the skills needed to pursue careers in the sector. The better we are at helping workers match their skills to what industry needs, the closer we are to realising Australia’s net zero vision.” - MyPass CEO Matt Smith
Research
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For the first time since 2006 all major energy sources hit record consumption levels in 2024, the Energy Institute’s latest statistical review found. In a blow to the transition clean energy added to rather than displaced fossil fuels as China continued to skew the results and global natural gas demand returned to growth. China was responsible for 43% of avoided fossil fuel use in 2024 followed by Europe and North America at 21% and 20% respectively. (Reuters) (Bloomberg)
Published in Energy Research and Social Science, Senior Research Fellow at Melbourne Climate Futures Lily O’Neill and Translational Fellow & Assistant Director Nulungu Research Institute Kathryn Thorburn take a look at land access agreements between Traditional Owners and renewable energy companies. What did they find?
- Traditional Owners must be resourced properly for independent wind and solar mapping and for access to legal and financial advice.
- Groups are taking charge of clean energy projects on Country, far more so than is possible for mining, oil and gas
- Cultural heritage is easier to protect for clean energy projects than it is for mining, oil and gas projects
- Regulatory approvals are likely to be faster where the Traditional Owner group is the owner/co-owner of the project, or substantially involved from an early stage
- Traditional Owners have a legal veto over large-scale clean energy projects.
Random
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Check out the brain science behind those “eureka” moments. (Nature)
