Tamar Valley CCGT online again (from Monday 24th August 2026), after a ~3 day outage
WattClarity AU Grid ·
Noting that the Tamar Valley CCGT station switched back online again, from Monday afternoon 24th August 2026.
Archive
26 August 2026
43 articles collected
Daily Snapshot
3 min read
NEM spot prices surge 68% as Victoria launches a 2 GW offshore wind auction, highlighting the tension between immediate market volatility and long-term policy intervention.
AU 15 |Global 10 | Storage 6|Solar 5|Policy 5
from top 25 articles
Read snapshot
Today's Signal
Australia’s biggest oil and gas company abandons clean energy plans after cashing in on global fuel crisis
RenewEconomy AU Gas ·
Soaring commodity prices have bolstered the profits of Australia's largest oil and gas producer, as it walks away from some of its emissions investment targets.
“Giant leap:” Australia’s first offshore wind auction goes live as state seeks first 2 GW of projects
RenewEconomy AU Wind ·
The Victorian Government has launched Australia’s inaugural offshore wind auction, targeting an initial 2 GW of capacity. While specific tender mechanics remain limited, successful projects are expected to secure contracts integrated into the state's Energy Stock Exchange Market framework.
Angus Taylor steps on the gas, but how does that sit with emissions targets and carbon costs?
RenewEconomy AU Carbon ·
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor has launched a pro-gas policy framework despite a concurrent report indicating that significantly higher carbon prices are required to meet national climate goals.
Australia’s battery storage contracts shift from ‘physical tolls’ toward commoditised products
Energy-Storage.News AU Storage ·
Australian battery storage developers are transitioning from physical tolling agreements toward commoditised revenue products as market spreads tighten and investor return targets reach 14%. This shift reflects a maturing BESS sector where traditional contracting structures are evolving to meet heightened financial performance expectations.
Continue reading
Bowen launches new wind and solar tender in state happy to write contracts to help replace coal
RenewEconomy – Solar AU Policy ·
New CIS tender launched for another 1.8 gigawatts of new wind and solar, but in a state where the government utility is happy to write contracts to help replace coal.
Battery storage investors ‘feeling the pinch’ as arbitrage spreads narrow across Australia’s NEM
Energy-Storage.News AU Storage ·
Australian battery storage investors face declining revenues as narrowing arbitrage spreads and delayed coal-fired power station closures impact business cases. Developers are adjusting expectations as the anticipated volatility from thermal plant retirements fails to materialise on previously projected timelines across the National Electricity Market.
From pumps to power systems: Guide launched to help farmers go electric and assess renewable and storage
RenewEconomy AU Solar ·
A new industry guide has been released to assist Australian farmers and regional enterprises in evaluating electrification, renewable energy, and storage technologies. The resource aims to mitigate rising operational costs and supply chain volatility by providing frameworks for transitioning away from diesel-dependent systems.
The grand ESOO Switch-a-Roo continues in 2026 … but hasn’t that approach jumped the shark?
WattClarity AU Grid ·
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released its 2026 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) on August 25, 2026. This central planning document provides updated reliability forecasts and supply-demand outlooks for the National Electricity Market over the coming decade.
Batteries are quickly turning gas into a costly “sometimes fuel” for electricity. So why build more?
RenewEconomy AU Policy ·
The Western Australian government is pursuing new gas generation despite data showing that renewables and battery storage are lowering wholesale electricity prices and managing peak demand more cost-effectively. While batteries increasingly displace gas as a peaking resource, the state's continued investment in gas infrastructure risks driving up overall energy costs for consumers.
Ditching diesel for renewables could save Pacific nations nearly $1 billion a year, study finds
RenewEconomy AU Policy ·
Replacing fuel imports with renewable power could save Pacific countries millions of dollars if they can secure enough investment to make the switch.
German car industry warns bidirectional EV charging threatened by sweeping renewable reforms
The Driven AU EV ·
German automotive leaders warn that proposed renewable energy reforms and capacity limits on small-scale solar installations could obstruct the rollout of bidirectional electric vehicle charging and vehicle-to-grid technologies.
Fake photos, fraudulent claims: Regulator suspends another company from energy upgrades scheme
RenewEconomy AU Policy ·
State regulator suspends another company from participating in energy upgrades subsidy after it was allegedly caught out submitting doctored photos and falsified customer details.
Major farm show ploughs on, but some fear Hanson’s opening act will hijack debate towards climate denial
RenewEconomy AU Policy ·
One Nation's Pauline Hanson has been picked to open one of Australia's biggest farm shows next month, drawing criticism that she will shift attention from agriculture to "political controversy."
Chery announces new electric brand for Australia market, with boxy design targeting lifestyle buyers
The Driven AU EV ·
Chery to launch another sub-brand in the form of iCaur in early 2027, hinting at something for lifestyle vehicle buyers.
You’re all caught up
Beyond the OCE
Sharp unveils 11.5 kWh battery for residential use
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Sharp is launching its Japan-made 11.5 kWh Eee Storage battery, offering 21% more capacity in a 35% smaller footprint, with AI-powered energy management and enhanced whole-home backup capabilities.
Portugal’s largest solar plant enters administration amid low output, falling power prices
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Welink Energy Portugal 2 UK, owner of Portugal’s 220 MW Solara4 solar plant, entered administration after weak generation, low wholesale power prices, technical issues and rising costs strained revenues and cash flow.
Silver prices rebound as AI, data centers add to industrial demand
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Silver prices are rising as the global market anticipates a sixth straight year of structural deficits, fueled by intensifying industrial demand. Beyond solar photovoltaic manufacturing, the growth of artificial intelligence, data centers, and broader electrification is increasingly driving consumption of the metal.
UK government launches £28 million Ultra-Long Duration Energy Storage Challenge
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
The UK government has launched a new grant funding programme for energy storage technologies that can provide inter-day and seasonal energy shifting applications.
ArcLight invests $1bn to launch independent transmission company
Power Technology GLOBAL Grid ·
ArcLight Capital Partners has allocated $1 billion to establish Anchor Point Transmission, a standalone entity focused on developing and modernizing United States power grid infrastructure.
Net Power signs new agreements for Texas power project
Power Technology GLOBAL Gas ·
Net Power has executed two new agreements to expand the generation capacity of Project Permian, its inaugural utility-scale natural gas facility located in Texas.
Shell offloads residential battery storage and VPP provider sonnen after seven years
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Shell has divested its ownership of residential battery and virtual power plant provider sonnen after a seven-year tenure. The sale of the German-headquartered storage firm aligns with the global energy major's current strategy to refine its investment portfolio and concentrate on high-value assets.
Sweden could face 150,000 metric tons of end-of-life panels annually
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Sweden decommissioned just 17 metric tons (MT) of solar panels in 2021, but a new industry roadmap warns that figure could reach 150,000 MT per year by around 2060, and says current recycling and reuse systems are not yet equipped to handle it.
A closer look at CATL Tener S 6.017 MWh BESS
PV Magazine GLOBAL Storage ·
Not quite a mystery from CATL, but it’s now clear what the Tener S battery energy storage system (BESS) actually can do.
TC Energy appoints Worley to advance development of 11GWh Ontario pumped hydro energy storage project
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
TC Energy has contracted Australian engineering firm Worley to progress the development phase of its 1,000 MW / 11,000 MWh pumped hydro storage facility in Meaford, Ontario. The project represents a significant expansion of long-duration energy infrastructure within the Canadian market.
On the Wire
AEMO releases 2026 ESOO on Tuesday 25th August 2026
WattClarity AU Grid ·
The Australian Energy Market Operator published its 2026 Electricity Statement of Opportunities on 25 August 2026. This central reliability forecast provides the ten-year outlook for supply adequacy and identifies potential investment gaps across the National Electricity Market.
The boundary effect
WattClarity AU Grid ·
NEM demand tragic and occasional WattClarity guest author Allan O'Neil drills into an apparent discrepancy in AEMO's demand calculations following the 1 July 2026 transition of the Basslink interconnector from MNSP market participant to Regulated sta…
Indonesia launches 14 solar projects under 100GW programme
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has launched 14 solar power projects as the first phase of its solar power programme targeting 100GW-peak (GWp) of solar capacity by 2029, with a total investment value of Rp1,140tn ($73bn).
Germany: FCAs should come with a reduction in BKZ fee, developer says
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Kyon Energy advocate Marie-Sophie Braun argues that German battery energy storage developers should receive a proportional reduction in BKZ grid connection fees if projects are subjected to restricted grid access agreements.
Irish electricity generation by grid-scale PV up 51% in 2025
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Ireland's utility-scale solar output reached 1.1 GWh in 2025, marking a 51% year-on-year increase and securing a 4% share of total generation. This growth coincided with a 52% decline in coal-fired power production, while storage contributions from batteries and pumped hydro remained minimal.
US firm Lyten sets sights on Norway’s Morrow Batteries following Northvolt acquisition
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
US lithium-sulphur battery company Lyten is aiming to acquire another of Europe’s failed homegrown battery startups, Norway’s Morrow Batteries, which went into bankruptcy earlier this year.
The financial realities facing US long-duration energy storage integration
Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·
Camelot Energy Group has analyzed the financial and market barriers hindering the integration of long-duration energy storage within the United States power sector. The assessment highlights how current economic contradictions and shifting market dynamics are impacting the deployment of these critical technologies.
Crux closes $215m tax equity deal for Pleasant Prairie project
Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·
Crux has finalised a $215m tax equity investment to support the 240MW utility-scale solar project, Pleasant Prairie Solar Energy Center.
Greece introduces new spatial planning rules for PV
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Greece's new spatial planning framework restricts solar development by capping land use at 1.5% across 74 regional units and expanding protected zones. The regulations exempt existing permitted projects while introducing stricter siting requirements for future renewable energy and storage installations.
Petrol giant still losing money on its expanding EV charging network, but hopes to break even in two years
The Driven AU EV ·
Petrol giant rewards shareholders with a four-fold increase in dividends as a result of profits from global fuel crisis, but it is still losing money on EV charging.
Mazda’s first mainstream EV secures five-star ANCAP safety rating
The Driven AU EV ·
Mazda's 6e awarded a maximum five-star safety rating from Australia and New Zealand’s independent voice for vehicle safety, ANCAP.
Solar stop test completed in South Australia
WattClarity AU Solar ·
On Tuesday 25 August SA Power Networks had planned to conduct its annual test of its ability to temporarily curtail rooftop solar generation.
Kepco targets South Korean inverter competitiveness with new tech subsidiary
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
South Korean state utility Kepco has launched a technology-commercialization subsidiary aimed at bringing thousands of its patents to market, with domestic solar-inverter manufacturers among the first industry partners.
Residential PV can trigger rebound effects under South Korea’s tiered electricity tariffs
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
Research finds households in South Korea moving into lower tariff tiers after installing PV systems can offset 11% to 22% of expected energy savings, while net metering can further amplify the rebound effect.
Oman seeks consultants for renewable energy feasibility study
PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·
A tender in Oman is searching for a techno-economic consultant to complete a feasibility study on renewable energy projects in the governorate of Musandam. The deadline for applications is September 24.
Kia EV4 Earth review: 612km range and a strong case for the humble electric sedan
The Driven AU EV ·
I spent a week with the Kia EV4 Earth to see how its 600km-plus range and sedan driving experience stack up. Could it make more sense than another electric SUV?
“Ideal for EVs:” Miner is operating 120-tonne battery-electric trucks, more than kilometre underground
The Driven AU EV ·
Two 120-tonne battery-electric trucks are hauling iron ore more than a kilometre underground in Sweden, where cool temperatures and predictable routes are proving an ideal fit for EVs.
Network to charge ahead after winning latest legal wrangle over contested Marinus project
RenewEconomy AU Grid ·
The fight may not be over yet as woman leading the campaign against the Marinus-linked project looks next to the Supreme Court.
Daily digest by email
The same briefing, in your inbox each morning. Australian energy news, market signals, and policy. No noise.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Choose exactly what you receive
Daily digest by email
You're subscribed to the daily brief.
Almost there. Check your inbox for the confirmation link.