Capital
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Australia’s energy transition proved irresistible for global investors last year, with the energy, utilities and resources sector jumping from 25% of total mergers and acquisitions activity in 2024 to 46% in 2025, according to PwC Australia’s newly released M&A Outlook 2026. Buyers are paying premiums for “predictable revenue streams and energy transition exposure,” the report found, with total Australian deal value reaching $112 billion ($US79.5 billion) last year and 52% of the sector's Australian CEOs planning major acquisitions in the next 3 years.
The relatively slow pace of data centre approvals in Australia risks the country missing out on a share of $850 billion in AI data centre investments as the world’s tech giants storm to build new capacity, the Menzies Research Centre has said in calling the government’s national AI strategy “slow and reactive” and warning that it offers “little direction for industry or investors”. Hyperscalers have the capital, the thinktank argues, but byzantine regulations mean data centres take 16 to 18 months longer to be approved here than elsewhere – with energy supply a key consideration in planning and delivering the new sites. (AFR)
Energy grids are the “Decisive enabler and most pressing constraint of the global energy transition,” global quality assurance and risk management company DNV has said as it announced the acquisition of generator and storage manufacturer Smarter Power Solutions (SPS). DNV will roll SPS into its business to create a global centre of excellence that integrates SPS’s “highly specialised team” of power system engineers expertise in complex grid connection, advanced modelling, commissioning, and compliance.
Queensland Investment Corporation’s Bluecurrent business has secured the support of investment banks Barrenjoey and Citi as it joins the scrum of contenders vying to purchase the Plus Es smart meter business of NSW electricity distributor Ausgrid, according to reports that value the meter company at around $2.5 billion. Bluecurrent, which QIC created after buying Vector’s ANZ business in 2023, would probably attract ACCC scrutiny for the deal – which it is said to be pursuing to increase its economies of scale. (The Australian)
 Projects
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Aula Energy has acquired 1GW of solar assets from Lightsource bp, delivering the company five operating solar farms in West Wyalong, Wunghnu, Woolooga, Wellington and Wellington North. The acquisition is the company’s “first operating fleet” across the NEM, the company said, with SA’s 256MW Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm reaching financial close in December and Queensland’s 228MW Boulder Creek Wind Farm still under construction.
Adding solar generation capacity is one thing, but Nike Australia has turned its installation into an art form after it worked with Energy Aware, Dexus and Qanstruct to build a 1MW, 3,500m2 solar array on the roof of its 60,000m2 warehouse. The installation includes 2,000 500W solar panels in the shape of the iconic Nike ‘swoosh’ logo – making it the largest Nike ‘swoosh’ in the world. Nike committed to powering its owned-and-operated facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Regulation
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The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is seeking comment on its newly published draft non-disclosure guideline, which is designed to provide greater transparency around non-disclosure claims, minimise the risk of inadvertent disclosure, and incentivise network operators to make “well justified” claims. Submissions are open until March 20 and the AER is aiming to finalise amendments to the guidelines by May.
The federal government has begun its search for the inaugural head of Australia’s National Environmental Protection Agency, a newly created body that will begin operations on July 1 and provide consistent national environmental regulations that are expected to speed project approvals and provide more transparency. Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the agency is “seeking candidates with a strong track record in delivering regulatory excellence”.
Forecasts from AEMO cannot be relied upon, NSW Nationals MLC Wes Fang will argue in budget estimates today, pointing to a recent contradiction between the Medium Term Project Assessment of System Adequacy and the annual Electricity Statement of Opportunities. MT PASA showed risks of rolling blackouts where the ESOO showed none. AEMO refuted the contradiction, explaining that "The reports are well understood by industry and serve different purposes." (The Aus)
Technology
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Decades of success with the technology haven’t helped French grid operator EDF control costs at the new Hinkley Point C nuclear plant it is building in England. A newly announced delay of 12 months and additional costs of €2.5 billion ($4.2 billion) have cast a shadow over the UK’s first new nuclear plant in over 3 decades. The site was originally budgeted at £18 billion ($34.4 billion) when construction began in 2017, but the new reactor is now not expected to finish until 2030 – at a total cost of £48 billion ($92 billion). (Renew Economy)
Research
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Technology is not the limiting factor in delivering the energy transition, CSIRO director of energy Dr Dietmar Tourbier has said in outlining an agenda for the national science agency that will focus on bolstering capabilities in areas like carbon capture and storage and aligning regulatory, environmental and other approvals with the investment signals necessary to ensure generation capacity grows in line with demand over time. Success, Tourbier said, will be determined by Australia’s success in engaging with communities, developing and reskilling workforces, and building necessary infrastructure.
People
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Environmental scientist Dr Regina Flugge has been appointed to Western Australia’s independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), replacing former deputy chair Lee McIntosh after she ended her term in November
Energy transition specialist investment manager Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has welcomed Tim Horneman as Brisbane-based managing director. Horneman was previously chief commercial officer at fast-start gas peaking and grid-scale BESS specialist LD Energy. Qunibrook has also appointed Andrew Varvari, who brings over 20 years’ legal experience in energy companies and government owner utilities to the new role of Australia head of legal.