The Western Australian government selected Acciona, GenusPlus and UGL Engineering to deliver the Clean Energy Link - East transmission line project. The infrastructure development will help unlock 2.3 GW of renewable energy capacity in the state. The government stated the new transmission line will enable the equivalent renewable energy used by one million homes. The major contract award aims to support local industry and employment through the participation of Western Australian businesses.
South Australia recorded 14.3 hours of negative spot prices on Thursday, representing 59.7 per cent of its trading intervals. The NEM spot price averaged $69.90/MWh, sitting below the seven-day average of $86.60/MWh. Regional averages ranged from $54.80/MWh in Victoria to $92.50/MWh in New South Wales. The highest price reached $350/MWh in Tasmania at 08:05, while the lowest fell to -$169/MWh in Victoria at 16:00. New South Wales recorded the peak operational demand of 8,950 MW at 17:55, and renewable generation supplied 48.7 per cent of total energy.
AEMO issued a notice regarding prices subject to review for the 16:00 trading interval on Thursday, stating it was reviewing these prices in accordance with its procedures. The operator also forecast a lack of reserve level two condition for Queensland between 17:30 and 18:00. The operator did not declare the condition, stating the forecast was transient and would resolve through normal dispatch. Separately, WattClarity published a wall of numbers as the first step in exploring a hypothesis. The analysis examines the causes of counter-cyclic oscillations between price and demand in New South Wales on Monday 12 October 2026.
The Australian Government introduced its Domestic Gas Reservation legislation to parliament. The bill links export rights to a domestic supply obligation calibrated to local demand, which the federal government described as its first national domestic gas reservation policy. The federal government also expanded the Guarantee of Origin Scheme to cover additional low-emissions commodities and hydrogen production pathways. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency opened the $250 million Solar Sunshot Round 3. The funding round supports local and global companies to develop, manufacture or scale technology capable of reducing large-scale solar costs.
The Victorian Government approved the 1.5 GW Warracknabeal Energy Park. The approval paves the way for the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere. Australian renewable energy final investment decisions reached a record 5 GW for the first nine months of 2024. The industry recorded 2.1 GW of approved capacity in the third quarter alone. Projects reaching financial close included the 470 MW Parron Maam Marang and 130 MW Kondinin wind farms in Western Australia, alongside the 408 MW Gawara Baya wind and battery project in Queensland.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners commenced commissioning the 240 MW Summerfield battery in South Australia. The 960 MWh energy storage system joins a growing pipeline of large-scale storage assets. Construction started on the 843 MWh Lower Wonga hybrid battery project in Queensland, developed by Lightsource bp using Gotion technology. A re-engineered lead-acid battery pilot commenced operations in Geelong, Victoria. The Geelong pilot targets reduced electricity costs for commercial users, with the developer intending for this technology to provide a more affordable installation alternative for business-scale energy storage.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency chief executive Darren Miller announced he will step down in August 2027. Miller elected not to seek a fourth term at the helm of the federal funding body. He will continue to lead the agency through the next three years of his current appointment before his departure, ensuring continuity for ongoing funding programs.
AER requested submissions by 12 November 2026 on two cost pass through applications. The first application from ElectraNet relates to costs incurred during a storm event in South Australia on 17 October 2024. The second application from Transgrid covers network support costs incurred in 2025-26. AEMO set a 12 November 2026 closing date for submissions on its dispatch algorithm formulation discussion paper. ElectraNet selected a preferred corridor through the Mid North for its NTx project.