Gas tax problems make the transition look good
The Energy Co AU Policy ·
One statement in UK think tank Ember’s Global Electricity Review 2026 ought to give energy policymakers pause.
Archive
23 April 2026
48 articles collected
Daily Snapshot
3 min read
Shell warns a Senate inquiry on gas taxes as developers pivot to mandatory hybrid renewables, and NEM spot prices continue their week-long plunge.
AU 15 |Global 10 | Storage 9|Solar 8|Policy 3
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Today's Signal
Gas tax debate fires up, but little clarity on government appetite for reform
The Energy Co AU Policy ·
Shell Australia executives warned a Senate inquiry that proposed 100% windfall taxes or 25% profit levies on LNG exports would deter long-term capital investment and threaten energy security.
Close, but no cigar for West Australian environment deal
The Energy Co AU Policy ·
Lawyers have welcomed a pact to work on a single state and federal environment assessment pathway for Western Australian project developers, but warn the new streamlined system may take up to a year to be available.
Hybridisation of wind, solar and battery storage is no longer optional – it’s the new baseline
RenewEconomy AU Storage ·
Utility-scale renewable developers are shifting toward a mandatory hybrid model combining wind, solar, and battery storage to ensure commercial viability. This transition marks a departure from standalone assets as the industry seeks to mitigate financial risks through integrated multi-technology projects.
Modelling shows network tariff reforms will slash some power bills, blow up others. Can we strike a balance?
RenewEconomy AU Solar ·
Proposed network tariff reforms involving higher fixed charges are expected to reduce electricity costs for the majority of households while potentially increasing annual bills for others by hundreds of dollars. The modelling highlights a significant distributional impact as regulators seek to balance grid costs across different consumer profiles.
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European EV sales jump 51 pct in March as fuel prices surge due to Gulf war
The Driven AU EV ·
European electric vehicle registrations surged 51% in March, capturing a 22% market share across 15 nations as regional fuel costs spiked following conflict in the Gulf.
Huge wind farm trims turbine numbers, upsizes battery and shifts boundary to tread lighter
RenewEconomy AU Wind ·
West Wind Energy has revised its Bottle Tree Energy Park proposal in Queensland, reducing turbine counts to 170 while increasing battery storage capacity to 1,000MW/4,000MWh. The 1.5GW project near Roma also features adjusted site boundaries intended to minimize local environmental impacts.
Solar Insiders Podcast: Community batteries – can networks deliver what it says on the tin?
RenewEconomy AU Storage ·
Rob Amphlett Lewis on Ausgrid's Energy Storage as a Service offer, the falling cost of network batteries and the consumer driven evolution of modern poles and wires companies.
Gina Rinehart-backed miner achieves remarkable 95.7 pct renewable share in March quarter, slashing diesel costs
RenewEconomy – Solar AU Solar ·
Lynas Rare Earths achieved a 95.7% renewable energy share at its Mt Weld mine during the March quarter, utilizing wind and solar to significantly reduce diesel expenditure at the Western Australian site.
How quickly can we replace fossil fuels? Five charts track exponential growth in transition to renewables
RenewEconomy AU Storage ·
Data analysis of Australia's energy transition highlights an exponential surge in renewable generation and storage capacity, though significant deployment remains necessary to fully displace fossil fuels. The findings track historical growth patterns to assess the current trajectory of the nation's decarbonisation efforts.
Video: From $200 bills to $190 credit – 1 month with solar & battery
RenewEconomy AU Storage ·
A residential solar and battery storage installation has transitioned a household from monthly $200 electricity bills to a $190 credit. The case study demonstrates the real-world performance and financial outcomes of integrated domestic renewable systems over a one-month period.
Wind project to hand over worker village to First Nations community, and create new home for black cockatoos
RenewEconomy AU Wind ·
Plans to build accommodation for 300 wind farm workers get federal environmental pass, with promise to hand the facility over to Traditional Owners and replace precious cleared black cockatoo habitat.
First giant turbine parts for the only wind farm under construction in NSW to begin long road journey soon
RenewEconomy AU Wind ·
Updated: First of 700 turbine deliveries for the only wind farm in NSW currently under construction to start their 400 km road journey soon, but will take a year to complete
“Just give us a shot:” Networks say community batteries can right the wrongs of grid gold plating
RenewEconomy AU Storage ·
Should networks be allowed to deliver competitive services like shared storage from community batteries? Rob Amphlett Lewis explains how Ausgrid is "leaning in" to the transition and righting wrongs of the past.
China giant launches featherweight solar modules, to help get PV onto more rooftops
RenewEconomy AU Solar ·
Chinese solar manufacturing heavyweight unveils new solar module range that is around 40% lighter than conventional panels, for low-load bearing roofs.
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Beyond the OCE
PV curtailment exceeds 3.8% in Spain over past nine months
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Spanish solar curtailment reached an average of 3.83% over the last nine months, with regional fluctuations attributed to network bottlenecks, grid stability requirements, and excess generation capacity.
Abaxx Exchange lists world’s first solar irradiance futures contract
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Abaxx Exchange will launch the Enwex Germany Solar futures contract on April 23, introducing the first exchange-cleared solar irradiance hedging tool. This transition from over-the-counter trading aims to formalise weather-related risk management and increase market participation for solar generators.
EnBW and Noveria advance construction on 1- and 4-hour BESS projects in Germany
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Power firm EnBW is building a 100MWh BESS in Germany for completion this year (a year later than planned) while BESS platform Noveria Energy has signed a construction agreement with TSO TenneT for a 1GWh project for 2028 operations.
U.S. startups announce partnership to offer domestic perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
US startups Solx and Caelux have partnered to deliver 3 GW of high-efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules by 2027. These Aurora modules integrate Suniva silicon cells with Caelux glass technology to target 28% efficiency for the American market.
Solar leads Ireland’s home energy upgrade grant scheme in 2026
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Ireland recorded more than 10,000 applications for solar PV as part of its home energy upgrade program from January to March 2026, an increase of 65% on the same period for last year.
Maldives’ largest floating solar array goes online
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Swimsol says the 2.4 MW floating PV array will supply the resort island of Cheval Blanc Randheli, reducing diesel consumption and saving about $1.5 million in fuel costs. The company's engineering team told pv magazine how the system will operate.
Botswana breaks ground on 500 MW solar-plus-storage project
PV Magazine GLOBAL Storage ·
The Maun solar project will encompass 500 MW of solar tied to 500 MWh of battery storage in northeastern Botswana, making it one of the largest projects of its kind in southern Africa.
VIDEO – Energy Storage Summit 2026: What does market saturation in Europe mean for BESS?
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Energy sector stakeholders are evaluating long-term revenue strategies for battery energy storage systems as European markets approach saturation. The analysis focuses on how developers and investors must adapt financial models to maintain profitability as traditional frequency response and arbitrage opportunities evolve.
Geronimo Power commences operations at 270MW Blevins Solar Project
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
Geronimo Power begins operations at its 270MW Blevins Solar Project in Falls County, Texas, US, introducing a major renewable energy facility in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market.
SK considers ‘various strategic options’ to raise financing for BESS developer Key Capture Energy
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
South Korean conglomerate SK E&S is evaluating strategic financing alternatives for its US-based subsidiary Key Capture Energy, including the potential introduction of a new financial partner or a full sale of the battery storage developer.
On the Wire
IPP Tenaska signs ESA for 900MWh Tennessee BESS
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Bobwhite Energy Storage, an affiliate of independent power producer (IPP) Tenaska has signed a long-term energy storage agreement (ESA) with utility Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for a 225MW/900MWh project in East Tennessee, US.
Meta, Noon Energy partner on 100GWh energy storage deal
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
Meta has entered into an agreement with Noon Energy to reserve up to 1GW of energy storage capacity for its data centres.
Tesla Cybertruck to be a grid asset
Power Technology GLOBAL Grid ·
Pacific Gas and Electric Company has approved Tesla's participation in its residential Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) programme.
Work begins on Zambia’s largest solar-plus-storage project
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Globeleq has commenced construction on a 250 MW solar facility integrated with a 150 MW/600 MWh battery energy storage system in Zambia's Lusaka Province. The development represents the largest combined renewable generation and storage installation in the country.
Repowering key for Japanese solar assets approaching feed-in tariff expiry
PV Magazine GLOBAL Power ·
GSSG Solar and Voltaiyo have refinanced their 104 MW Jupiter Portfolio as Japan’s initial feed-in tariff projects face expiring guaranteed rates. This transition requires asset owners to develop new revenue models to navigate the country's evolving post-subsidy market landscape.
DeepOcean to install cables for Taiwan’s TPC-II offshore wind farm
Power Technology GLOBAL Wind ·
DeepOcean has secured a contract for the installation support of inter-array cables at the 295MW TPC offshore wind farm phase 2 (TPC-II), situated 6.5-20km off the coast of Lukang in Changhua County, Taiwan.
First PV plant operating in Poland’s balancing market
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
The 204 MW Zwartowo solar power plant is the first large-scale solar project authorized to provide balancing services in Poland.
‘Great news for Irish energy storage industry’ as regulator cuts grid fees
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
A step toward removing dual grid fees for energy storage units (ESUs) has been hailed as "great news for the Irish storage industry."
Key takeaways from RE+ Mexico
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Expo ER+ 2026 in Guadalajara highlighted Mexico’s accelerating photovoltaic and energy storage market, with strong industry participation and a clear focus on grid integration and digitalisation.
Peru opens complementary services market to support renewables
PV Magazine GLOBAL Power ·
Peru’s energy ministry has proposed market-based reforms for complementary electricity services to improve grid stability amid rising solar and wind generation.
Garden River First Nation wins 20-year contract for Ontario’s largest solar farm
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
Neoen and Garden River First Nation secured a 20-year solar contract from Independent Electricity System Operator for a 253 MWp project near Sault Ste.
German utility deploying 30 MW heat pump for district heating
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Enercity has begun constructing a 30 MW wastewater-based heat pump in Hanover as part of its shift away from coal-based district heating, replacing capacity from the Stöcken coal plant alongside biomass, power-to-heat, and waste-heat systems.
Zambia’s president launches country’s largest hybrid solar-plus-storage project
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
President Hakainde Hichilema has inaugurated Zambia’s largest hybrid renewable energy facility, integrating solar generation with battery storage. This landmark project represents the nation's most significant deployment of combined solar-plus-storage technology to date.
Tesla opens two new Supercharger stations, as fast charging costs hit new low of 27c/kWh
The Driven AU EV ·
Tesla opens two new superchargers as the number of fast-charging stalls reaches 1,000 across Australia, some of them offering charging at super low prices of 27c/kWh.
New Tesla Model Y variant with more range specs spotted in approval documentation
The Driven AU EV ·
Tesla's new variant with range boost spotted in Approval documentation, paving path for sale.
US judge issues injunction against government wind, solar restrictions
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
A US federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against a set of permitting policies introduced by the Trump administration.
Rethinking silver paste design for TOPCon, LECO solar cells
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Researchers in China have developed an evaluation framework to better assess fine-line silver pastes for TOPCon and LECO solar cells.
No evidence of PFAS leaching from solar panels, study finds
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Researchers in the United States reviewed claims about PFAS in solar panels and found that while fluoropolymers may be used in limited components like backsheets or coatings, there is no confirmed evidence of PFAS leaching from commercially deployed…
Kosol Energie completes 142 MW solar project for Coal India
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Located in the Indian state of Gujarat, the ground-mounted solar plant uses n-type TOPCon bifacial modules based on POE–POE encapsulation technology.
CATL debuts six stunning battery innovations, including 1,500km EV option and 6-minute charge
The Driven AU EV ·
Chinese battery giant CATL unveiled host of new technology developments, including a 1,500 km EV battery, 6-minute charging, a sodium-ion option and integrated charge-swap stations.
SolarEdge targets C&I with new all-in-one battery
PV Magazine GLOBAL Storage ·
SolarEdge has a new commercial focused battery system, with the new model scaling up to as high as 1 MW / 4 MWh depending on the inverter choice.
Video: 2026 Geely EX5 ER – What’s actually new?
The Driven AU Storage ·
A closer look at the top-spec Inspire model, unpacking what’s new, including a larger battery and added standard features.
Flow batteries hold potential for LDES but industry shows mixed fortunes so far
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
We look at the potential of flow batteries for LDES and compare the leading providers' offerings and trajectories.