Tag: Australia renewables

US and Australia Drink the Kool-Aid on Climate Change

Commentary Signed bits of paper abound at international conferences. Serious-looking leaders signing their names to documents that would never pass the examination of a first-year law student abound. Statements of intent, flowing phrases, and wonderful words, which at the end of the day are neither enforceable nor meaningful, tend to go from headline to dustbin…


More Short Term Pain for Consumers Amid Labor’s Pursuit of Net-Zero

The Albanese Labor government’s energy plan will likely leave a significant mark on Australia’s economic future. Resources Minister Madeleine King discussed her government’s intention to implement the Future Gas Strategy, an initiative designed to curtail the natural gas industry’s contribution to national emissions. “The gas industry is a major contributor to Australia’s emissions profile,” she…


‘Most Expensive’: Energy Minister Says Nuclear Makes No Sense for Australia

Nuclear is not on the table as an option to add to Australia’s energy mix amid a push for net-zero due to the huge initial costs, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, has said. As Australia lacks existing nuclear infrastructure due to its nuclear ban since 1998, the costs required to set…


Greens Call for Essential Services to Be Returned to Government Ownership

The Australian Greens want the federal government to turn back the clock and become a net provider of essential services in the Australian energy industry, with party leader Adam Bandt decrying the private ownership of the energy sector. Bandt, during his address to the National Press Club, said that Australia needed large-scale public investment in…


Redefining Capitalism: The Chalmers Prescription

Commentary The Australian Federal Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, recently published a 6,000-word essay, entitled “Capitalism after the Crises.” In it, he argues that it is Australia’s mission “to redefine and reform our economy and institutions in ways that make our people and communities more resilient, and our society and democracy stronger as well.” He advocates for…


‘Be Honest’: Energy Chief Warns of Massive Investment for Transition to Green Energy

One of Australia’s biggest electricity and gas companies has warned the massive investment required to go green will put upward pressure on power bills. “A future built on renewable energy with new technology, such as electric vehicles, is something to look forward to,” Origin Energy chief executive Frank Calabria told a business event. “But delivering the energy…


Leading Electricity Operator to Speed up Renewables Rollout

Transgrid, a power grid owner responsible for lighting up Australia’s three largest states along the east coast, has promised to beat an official timeline for delivering $10 billion (US$6.5 billion) worth of projects to embed renewable energy into Australia’s electricity market. Australia’s energy market manager AEMO expected these three transmission projects EnergyConnect, HumeLink, and VNI…


Victoria’s Net-Zero Nationalisation Move Fraught With Risks

Commentary After a year of ongoing energy crises—both global and local—nothing should surprise the industry anymore. Nevertheless, when Premier Daniel Andrews announced a re-nationalisation policy for Victoria on Oct. 20 it caught many people off-guard. If they win the next election, the Victorian Labor party—currently governing Australia’s second most-populous state—will be reviving the State Electricity…


Victoria’s Move to Re-Nationalise Energy Sector Fraught With Risks

Commentary After a year of ongoing energy crises—both global and local—nothing should surprise the industry anymore. Nevertheless, when Premier Daniel Andrews announced a re-nationalisation policy for Victoria on Oct. 20 it caught many people off-guard. If they win the next election, the Victorian Labor party—currently governing Australia’s second most-populous state—will be reviving the State Electricity…


Former Extinction Rebellion Figure Warns Against Repeating Europe’s Energy Mistake

A former activist in a radical climate change group has called on Australia not to follow Europe’s footsteps in relying solely on renewable energy, which she said has resulted in an energy crisis. Zion Lights, an ex Extinction Rebellion spokesperson, pointed to the “sinking ship” happening across Europe where people are “scrambling to keep our lights…