Power prices to surge
A report released by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) last week shows Ergon customers can expect significant price rises on their electricity bills ... The QCA report says the energy cost rise has been caused by higher gas and coal prices and uncertainties around the availability and reliability of coal-fired power plants and their impacts on the supply–demand balance in Queensland.
Farmers come to Canberra to fight transmission lines: Littleproud, Webster
Dozens of concerned farmers have descended on Canberra, urging Federal Labor to rethink its plan to build hundreds of kilometres of poles and wires through regional Victoria. The farmers met with The Nationals leader David Littleproud and Federal Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster, who echoed the group’s concerns.
New transmission framework fails farmers: VFF
“For the last four years, the VFF has consistently called for a coordinated approach to transmission infrastructure planning. The government has heeded our call and taken some action in formulating the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework. Disappointingly however, the framework continues to neglect farmer concerns. It does not speak about agricultural land use and the impact on food and fibre production”: VFF President Emma Germano.
Better energy and infrastructure for Victoria: D’Ambrosio
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio has launched the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework (VTIF) ... The Victorian Government body, VicGrid, will lead transmission project planning and development, and ensure local communities, landholders, Traditional Owners and other key stakeholders are consulted on these major projects from start to finish.
Corryong powers up
Corryong has received the bulk of almost $18 million in funding that has been awarded to seven projects in Indi to build resilience to natural disasters under the Disaster Ready Fund, Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has announced. A staggering $15 million has been delivered for the only project in the Towong Shire to establish an Advanced Microgrid that would improve energy resilience to Corryong during natural disasters.
Viva Energy to turn waste into fuels and recycled plastics at Geelong Refinery
Viva Energy announced plans to build infrastructure which will enable its refinery at Geelong to receive and process feedstocks such as used cooking oil, animal fats and synthetic crude made from waste plastics which would otherwise find their way into landfill. These feedstocks will be blended with crude oil to reduce the energy intensity of fuels that are produced at Geelong Refinery and recycle waste plastics through the polypropylene plant which was acquired by the company last year.
Atlas brings muscle to Australia’s clean energy future: King
An industry-led, wide-scale search through previously mined and discarded rock and earth could help boost Australia’s global position as a clean energy powerhouse ... Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said the new Atlas of Australian Mine Waste, could provide industry with additional opportunities to extract valuable resources from previously mined rock and earth.
Another rushed change to Interconnector west
The Victorian Government has taken another step to accelerate the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) project at the expense of Mallee landholders. "State Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has used her powers to order the Australian Energy Market Operator AEMO to proceed with another new preferred route for the project, Option 5A, following weeks of tokenistic and rushed consultation that has frustrated concerned farmers and communities," says Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster.
Gannawarra Shire Council supports VNI West option 5A route
Gannawarra Shire Council has welcomed a proposed realignment of the VNI West route, which would involve constructing new high capacity electricity transmission lines that will pass through the Gannawarra ... “Council, along with the Murray River Group of Councils, has been advocating for VNI West to pass through the Gannawarra, and we have been promoting the benefits of these works to our residents for the past six years,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.
VNI West: power line angst
As government policies lead to soaring energy prices, the Victorian Government is changing the preferred route and accelerating works on the 500 kilovolt double-circuit overhead transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales ... According to the AEMO report, councils have indicated there is a broader social licence for VNI West crossing the Murray River north of Kerang (option 5a) instead of the Echuca route, and therefore more likelihood of timely implementation.
Council appalled as transmission line steamrolls over community concerns
Northern Grampians Shire Council is appalled that widespread community opposition has had no material impact on Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) final recommended alignment for the controversial VNI West power transmission project ... “Landowners need clear and concise answers to the questions they have asked and not simply to refer them to some other arrangement as a reference to how it might work here": Mayor, Cr Kevin Erwin.
Failed power plan forced onto farming communities: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has slammed the Andrews Government’s decision to steamroll ahead with transmission developments in Western Victoria following the announcement of a new corridor for the proposed VNI-West project. VFF President Emma Germano said Victoria’s Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio is using extreme powers to come over the top of farming communities and force transmission towers to be built on their land.
Power line safety reminder after teenager’s serious injuries
WA’s energy safety regulator is investigating an incident in Gnangara in which a teenager is believed to have received an electric shock from high-voltage power lines while clearing vegetation. Building and Energy electrical inspectors were at the property where witness accounts indicated the teenager sustained serious hand and other injuries after his trimming equipment made contact with the power lines, causing the electric current to pass through his body.
Taking action to deliver critical energy infastructure: D’Ambrosio
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio confirmed that the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) can progress the critical VNI-West project, which will better connect the Victoria and NSW energy grids ... A Ministerial Order has been implemented to progress AEMO’s preferred option, which connects VNI West to the planned Western Renewables Link (WRL) at a terminal station at Bulgana in Victoria’s west, then linking to a terminal station near Kerang in north central Victoria, before crossing the Murray River north of Kerang.
Money, power and guns
Money ... It's time to pull stumps on Metronet and accept we are not New York or London ... Power ... exploring the unforeseen consequences of over-investing in renewables ... Guns ... no logic in capping firearm numbers for recreational shooters, sporting shooters or primary producers ...
Power project marks another milestone
Despite recent news about time and cost blowouts, the Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro mega project has achieved another important construction milestone, with a second tunnel excavation completed at Lobs Hole. The 2.93-kilometre emergency, cable and ventilation tunnel (ECVT) has been excavated and fully lined with 13,140 locally-manufactured concrete segments by tunnel boring machine (TBM) Kirsten.
Energy Estate responds on Moah Creek Wind Farm
Energy Estate has provided a response to Australian Rural & Regional News regarding issues raised in the statement issued by David Littleproud, Leader of the Nationals, Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce and Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry concerning the impact of renewables ... "a commitment to minimising ongoing impacts to the environment ... to providing the opportunity for detailed public consultation ..."
River Murray under threat by Labor’s $600m hydrogen plant that won’t lower energy bills: Patterson, Girolamo
Peter Malinauskas’ experimental hydrogen plant could raid precious water resources from the River Murray to operate, it has been revealed, alongside confirmation SA households won’t see a cent of energy bill relief despite $600 million taxpayer investment ... “We are the driest state in the driest continent in the world, and Peter Malinauskas doesn’t know where he is sourcing the huge amounts of water needed to run this experimental hydrogen plant that does nothing to reduce the cost of SA electricity bills": Shadow Minister for Energy and Net Zero, Stephen Patterson.
WA to build a strong carbon farming future: Jarvis
The McGowan Government has become a Carbon Industry Code of Conduct partner, enhancing the State's reputation in the emerging carbon market. Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis announced the Western Australian Government has become a Code Partner at the Carbon Farming Industry Forum in Cairns on 22 May 2023.
New SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework an Australian first: Powerlink
Powerlink has developed a new framework – the SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework - that significantly boosts payments to landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure. Under the new framework, Queensland landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure will receive higher payments.
The Nationals shine light on renewables impact: Littleproud, Boyce, Landry
Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud, Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce, and Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, and have joined local Kalapa graziers in central Queensland to see first-hand the impact renewable projects will have on the region’s environment and communities. It comes amid concerns over a planned 10,910-hectare Moah wind farm project, 30 kilometres west of Rockhampton.
Top UK businesses encouraged to ‘join the club’ and invest in South Australia: Champion
A group of the United Kingdom’s most influential business figures were presented insights into South Australia’s growing global investment opportunities at a premier industry event in London recently ... The event highlighted the State’s economic priorities to some of the UK’s most influential business figures, focusing on key initiatives such as renewable energy, food and wine, digital skills, space and defence.
