Catch up
Capital
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Mike Cannon-Brookes’ SunCable, potentially the world’s biggest renewable energy project, confirmed to The Energy it has tapped Moelis and Align Capital Partners to begin a US$100 million capital raise to fund the development of the flagship Australia-Asia Power Link and export sunshine to Singapore. A 4,200km subsea cable could supply 15% of Singapore’s energy needs from a proposed solar precinct in the Barkly region of the NT covering 12,000 hectares and generating 17-20GW. SunCable was granted conditional approval in October 2024 by Singapore’s Energy Market Authority to import green electricity via AAPowerLink.
Ardea Resources (ASX: ARL) announced a A$4.6 million placement at a 7.5% premium with battery manufacturer Sumitomo Metal Mining, taking its stake to 5.1%, for working capital to support the development of the Kalgoorlie Nickel Project – Goonngarrie Hub.
 Projects
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BHP said it would partner with renewable energy company ACCIONA to explore the development of a pumped hydro energy storage project at its Mt Arthur Coal Mine, as part of a plan to extend mining at the site to 2030. The pumped hydro project could support around 1,000 local jobs in the construction phase, BHP said. The mining giant also committed $30 million for a community fund to help support the Upper Hunter prepare for 2030 and beyond. The mine currently employs around 2,000 people.
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners announced a Supernode Battery Storage Project expansion after signing up Queensland’s Stanwell Corporation for Stage 3 offtake. The Stage 3 contract adds a further 250MW/4hr Battery Energy Storage System, taking the total installed capacity to 750MW/2,540GWh in what will be the largest battery storage campus in the NEM - so far.
“Stanwell’s contract for Supernode Stage 3 represents the complete ‘sell out’ of our current plans for large scale battery storage at the highly strategic South Pine site. Construction for Stages 1 and 2 has already commenced in preparation for delivery of both of those initial stages under our previously announced offtake partnership with Origin Energy. Construction of Stage 3 will now head into accelerated planning, taking our total investment in Supernode to over $1.4 billion.” — Co-founder and Managing Partner of Quinbrook David Scaysbrook
Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) Oyu Tolgoi achieved record copper production in March in line with an underground mine ramp-up plan, but extreme weather for Pilbara iron ore meant a weak start to the year, according to the Q1 production update.
Google signed its first power purchase agreement for geothermal energy in Taiwan, and a first for the region. The initial projects, developed by global geothermal developer Baseload Capital, will add 10MW of “always on” power to the grid. Building on a partnership with BlackRock’s Climate Infrastructure business to support a 1GW pipeline of solar development in Taiwan, Google said these geothermal PPAs reflect a commitment to using clean electricity for data centres and local operations.
Policy
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Renewable energy projects need roads that can cope with large components trucked to development sites. Road upgrades that pave the way for NSW Renewable Energy Zones will start within weeks, after the state government awarded a contract to Australian company BMD Constructions to deliver the first stage of the $128 million Port to REZ Program. The first stage of works includes upgrades at 19 locations from the Port of Newcastle to Elong Elong near Dubbo to support the Central-West Orana zone.
The peak body Climate and Health Alliance released a federal election scorecard - an electrification and decarbonisation health check - with results as expected.
Regulation
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AER opened consultation on renewing Ergon Energy’s ring-fencing waiver for isolated networks in remote areas of Queensland, with submissions due by May 12.
Calls for federal regulatory reforms to fast-track new projects to address gas shortages on Australia’s east coast ignore the fact there are limited projects awaiting federal approval. (IEEFA)
In the UK, so-called ‘zombie’ projects will no longer hold up the queue for connection to the electricity grid. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said lack of access to the grid has been a significant factor holding back investment in new industries. Under the changes, wind and solar projects and data centres will be fast-tracked for grid connections.
“Together with the wider energy industry, NESO will focus on prioritising agreements for projects that are critical and shovel ready, bringing these to the front of the queue and giving developers the certainty they need to support investment decisions." — Kayte O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, National Energy System Operator
Technology
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ENGIE is working with SA Power Networks on a 12-month trial looking at how to manage the periodic oversupply of rooftop solar energy. The ARENA-funded trial is also trying to flip the script on the “sun tax” by finding a way for customers to earn despite solar curtailment.
“It is a win-win situation. As an electricity retailer, this means ENGIE is not double paying for both customer solar feed in tariffs (FiTs) and also the cost of exporting power into a negative market when there is too much rooftop solar generation.”
— ENGIE’s General Manager for Innovation Ryan Wavish
Trade tensions with China clear path for salt-powered batteries (Bloomberg)
Explainer: How China is managing the rising energy demand from data centres (Carbon Brief)
People
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The Investor Group on Climate Change is looking for a new policy chief, announcing that highly respected Managing Director for Policy and Advocacy Erwin Jackson is stepping down after seven years in the job.
Research
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Coalition Leader Peter Dutton’s nuclear power plan could lead to blackouts because it overestimates the reliability of the ageing coal fleet, according to IEEFA’s analysis on the fallout from delaying coal’s exit.
Random
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Western Australian architect Matt Delroy-Carr demonstrated that dialling up specifications for net zero and energy efficiency was do-able and affordable. (The Fifth Estate)