Alinta Energy has withdrawn plans to develop the $1.8 billion Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Scheme in northern New South Wales. The developer discontinued work on the proposed 900 MW, 7.2 GWh energy storage project.
Snowy Hydro revised the projected cost for the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project to $22.2 billion, with potential expenditures reaching $25 billion. The significant budget increase follows a comprehensive review of the scheme's delivery requirements and ongoing construction challenges. Energy Minister Chris Bowen characterised the pumped hydro development as one of the world's most complex engineering undertakings following the significant delivery challenges.
The NEM connection pipeline for new generation and storage expanded by 43 per cent over the last 12 months. The growth is primarily attributed to a significant increase in battery storage proposals seeking grid integration.
Solar generation drove a renewable and storage generation all-time peak contribution of 80.4 per cent of total NEM generation on 19 September 2026. Distributed solar supplied 51.8 per cent of total generation at the time. AEMO stated in its latest quarterly assessment that growing solar generation and increasing battery capacity continued to reshape wholesale electricity and gas market outcomes in the September quarter.
1414 Degrees has signed a purchase order for 5B Maverick systems for the approved initial 70 MW solar development at the Aurora Energy Precinct. The project covers 42 hectares near Port Augusta in South Australia.
More than 480 households across six remote Kimberley communities in Western Australia are receiving electricity savings through the completed rollout of the Kimberley Communities Solar Saver program.
The New South Wales government intervened to permit coal mine expansions in the Hunter Valley despite a High Court ruling regarding state responsibility for export emissions. Critics argue the decision to bypass established legal frameworks undermines climate obligations and long-term environmental safety.
WattClarity estimated that NEM baseload futures prices for the fourth quarter of 2026 are rising, driven in part by anticipated shifts in coal generator bidding behaviour. WattClarity stated this pricing adjustment serves as a key contributing factor to the upward trend in long-term electricity contracts. WattClarity also estimated a 465 MW unforecast jump in Victorian market demand occurred on 23 October 2026.
Territory Generation and Hitachi Energy received recognition at the Engineers Australia Excellence Awards for the Channel Island battery energy storage system.
The NEM average price was $96.3/MWh, ranking third highest over the past seven days and sitting above the seven-day average of $70.6/MWh. Victoria recorded a regional average of $62.5/MWh and experienced negative prices for 16.5 hours. The highest price reached $259/MWh in Tasmania at 13:40. New South Wales recorded the demand peak of 8,341 MW at 18:40. Renewables supplied 49.2 per cent of energy across the day.
Natural gas prices increased 9.2 per cent to US$3.05/mmbtu. TTF gas prices increased 3.6 per cent to EUR93.3/MWh.
AEMO opened consultation on its IPRR Trial Participation Guidelines, with submissions closing on 27 November 2026. AER accepted an application from Leda Holdings for an individual retail exemption at the South.Point Shopping Centre in Tuggeranong on 23 October 2026. Transgrid announced the opening of six new cabins at the Crookwell Caravan Park to support the Upper Lachlan visitor economy.