Capital
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Woodside Energy and Petronos finalised a 15-year sale and purchase agreement (SPA) for the supply of 1 million tonnes per annum of LNG to Malaysia from 2028. Under the agreement, Woodside’s first long-term supply deal with Malaysia, LNG will be supplied from Woodside’s global portfolio, which may include volumes from the recently approved Louisiana LNG project in the United States. Woodside Chief Commercial Officer Mark Abbotsford said the LNG imports would meet rising demand from the power and industrial sectors, driven by data-centre growth, the wider adoption of artificial intelligence technologies and the transition away from coal-fired generation.
A partnership between Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie councils highlights the leadership role local councils can play in climate action at a regional scale, and could be a blueprint for removing barriers to clean energy. Locals will be able to access solar, batteries and electric vehicle chargers from program partner 1KOMMA5 Australia and their network of local installers. Upfront payments or affordable options to pay the system off over time will be available, as well as a program discount and help with government rebates.
“By aligning with Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, we’re leveraging collective expertise and resources to deliver a program that supports residents with high-quality solar and battery solutions installed by trusted Hunter tradies. Residents can enjoy peace of mind with long term warranties, three post installation check-ups and a five-year satisfaction guarantee.”
Philip Penfold
Maitland Mayor
Meanwhile China, the world’s largest car market for pure battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, is facing a bloodbath in the wake of Beijing’s crackdown on aggressive discounts. “Even 20 OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] is too much,” BYD executive vice-president Stella Li said on the sidelines of the Munich motor show (AFR/FT)
 Projects
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Vulcan Energy (ASX:VUL) secured a permit to build and operate its Central Lithium Plant (CLP) for the Phase One Lionheart Project and a second phase, for the production of battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate, at Industrial Park Höchst in Germany.
“Securing the CLP permit is an important step in the development of a domestic lithium supply chain for Germany and the European Union. We are making substantial progress in our aim to establish a sustainable, domestic and cost-effective source of lithium for the European battery and automotive industries, supporting the EU's goal of reducing critical raw material dependencies.”
Cris Moreno
Vulcan Energy CEO
Policy
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US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright is in Europe this week to lobby for oil and gas to “save” the region from energy insecurity but experts doubt his efforts will result in any significant changes to European climate and energy policy. (Inside Climate News)
“I think it’s very easy to say that what the current US government is doing is de facto climate disinformation.”
Petter Lydén
Head of international climate policy at Germanwatch
The slump in eastern Australia gas demand shows no signs of easing, according to IEEFA’s Lead Analyst Joshua Runciman, with gas consumption down almost a third (30%) since its peak in 2012-13. Recent data shows gas use in manufacturing fell materially in 2023-24, down by about 11% in the wake of the global energy crisis that saw prices spike. Gas consumption in the National Electricity Market has fallen materially, down by 57% from 2012-13 to 2024-25, as renewable energy generation displaces coal and gas, undermining arguments that more gas will be needed to support renewables, he said.
Regulation
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The Renewable Energy Alliance (RE-Alliance) is cautiously optimistic after Environmental Minister Murray Watt confirmed environmental law reforms would allow for greater use of regional planning, but will be keeping an eye on:
- Making sure the federal government keeps its important role in protecting Ramsar wetlands, nationally threatened species and world heritage areas
- Ensuring communities can engage on individual project decisions
- And that biodiversity offsets are robust and only used as a last resort.
Technology
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Energy company ENGIE was recognised by Genesys among the global winners of Orchestrators Innovation Awards for replacing fragmented systems and manual processes with AI-powered tracking, real-time analytics and gamification for better quality assurance and forecasting.
Climate
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Australia has been digging deep to bolster ties with its Pacific neighbours and affirm its position as a security and climate partner of choice. (Aljazeera) (AAP)
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, as the new Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), said the highlight of this week’s gathering will be the endorsement of two key regional initiatives that reaffirm the region’s global leadership: the signing of the agreement to establish the Pacific Resilience Facility and the endorsement of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration. (Daily Post)
With the 2035 emissions reduction target still under wraps, Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment shows how much is at stake.
“The science is equally clear: to keep 1.5°C alive, Australia must cut domestic emissions by at least 90% by 2035 and achieve net zero before 2040. A strong target is not only achievable, it is in Australia’s economic interest. Anything less signals to the world and to investors that we are not serious about climate action or ready to compete in a global net zero economy."
Climate advocate
Dermot O’Gorman and WWF-Australia Governor
Kesaia Tabunakawa in the John Menadue
public policy journal
Meanwhile the tussle over hosting next year’s international climate talks continues. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said negotiations were “pretty difficult” and “Turkey is not backing down”. “We’re going to keep trying … because we want to elevate Pacific voices — the Pacific is on the front-line of climate change,” she said.
People
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The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA) released the Evolution of Work: A Resources and Energy Industry Workforce Report, which includes impact and capability ratings amid changing workforce expectations and rapid technological change. Psychosocial wellbeing was forecast to have the biggest impact on the future of work but was currently also the largest capability gap. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is also falling short.
Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady has questioned whether Australia can meet its 82% renewable energy target by 2030. "I think it’s one of the most complex issues as a country that we’re having to face," she said at the National Press Club on Wednesday.
Research
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Macquarie and University of Wollongong researchers have developed and built a transducer for high-sensitivity sonar systems, which are vital for water managers, dam operators, mining sites, and environmental monitoring or mapping of riverbeds, tracking sediment movement, and surveillance of underwater vegetation such as seagrass. At the heart of the system is a “ceramic puck” that converts electrical energy into underwater sound waves.
Livium (ASX:LIT) signed a rare earths recycling term sheet with the University of Melbourne to design and build an Australian-first prototype for extraction using microwave heating, with the potential to reduce energy consumption by 85% compared to traditional "hot block" methods. The university’s technology also achieves high recovery rates, while reducing acid usage and wastewater.
Random
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The world’s biggest battery project will begin construction immediately in northern England, having secured about $1 billion in public and private financing, marking a significant step forward in the UK’s transition to renewable energy. (Bloomberg)
