Project Update Week ending 1 May 2020

Allens advises Iberdrola on first Australian renewables acquisition 27 April Allens has advised global energy giant PROJECT NEWS Iberdrola on its acquisition of the Port Augusta Park Stage 1 Victorian Big Battery hybrid wind and solar project. Neoen Australia submitted a referral for its proposed Victorian Big Battery project in The 320MW project will be the first venture in Moorabool to the federal government for Australia for Iberdrola, one of the world's public comment. The construction of the largest electricity utilities and the number one battery project will entail the following producer of wind energy in the world. proposed activities: Iberdrola has around 53GW of installed • Installation of up to 600MW of batteries in generation capacity in Europe, the US and either cabinets or shipping containers; South America, around 32GW of which is • Installation of switchrooms and a small renewable. operations and maintenance facility within the BESS footprint; Expected to generate around 900 gigawatt- • Installation of ancillary equipment including hours of electricity a year - enough to power electrical inverters, transformers, around 180,000 homes - it forms part of underground cabling, benching and earthing; Iberdrola's Australian investment strategy. • Installation of new power transformers and the extension of an existing busbar at the 'We are delighted to have worked with existing Moorabool Terminal Station (MTS); Iberdrola on its first investment in the • Installation of appropriate firebreaks as Australian renewables sector, and look required by the Country Fire Authority (CFA); forward to continuing to assist in the • Installation of security fencing and lighting; development phase of this important project,' • Landscaping works; said lead Partner Kate Axup. • Earthworks and drainage; • Provision of up to two car parking spaces 'It is great to see the Australian renewables and internal access roads; market continue to attract foreign investors of • Potential installation of a sound wall if the calibre of Iberdrola.' required to meet EPA requirements; and • Installation of a temporary secondary Source: Allens entrance for construction.

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Windlab Limited – Kennedy Stimulus summit: a Energy Park update renewables-led economic 27 April recovery Windlab Limited (ASX:WND) (‘Windlab’ or the Starts: 11:00am Wednesday, 6 May 2020 ‘Company’) provides the following update on Ends: 4:00pm Wednesday, 6 May 2020 the status of . Location: Online Event

Contractor Dispute The stimulus summit will be a major online Kennedy Energy Park Pty Ltd (“Kennedy”) has event bringing together leaders in business, agreed with its EPC Contractor to extend the civil society, policy makers and academia to stand-still agreement regarding the previous provide a significant contribution to public adjudication determination and the ongoing debate on government stimulus packages and contractual dispute until the earlier of 29 May climate change action. 2020 and the conclusion and execution of a settlement deed by the parties resolving all of Throughout the half-day program, industry the disputed claims. leaders will explore critical economic

approaches; unpack the government stimulus For the extended stand-still period, the packages - current and planned; for smart parties have agreed to stay payments and not energy and renewables recovery; and climate commence or prosecute any claims or change action. Attendees can expect to hear disputes under the contract nor challenge the from more than a dozen keynote speakers adjudication determination, subject to certain including influential Australians, CEOs of conditions. During this stand-still period the leading Australian businesses and renewables parties will in good faith seek an overall firms, and community and social change commercial resolution of all disputed claims leaders. The event will be free to attend and and provide KEP with certainty concerning the we expect around 1000 registrants. outstanding network system registration and commercial operation of the project. Who should attend?

Anyone interested in Australia’s economic Offtake & Financing future and how: we rebuild Australia’s Kennedy has agreed with the project’s economy post COVID-19 we decarbonise the customer, CS Energy, to extend the sunset Australian economy we implement date of the Renewable Energy and Green appropriate stimuli for renewables Benefits Agreement to 31 December 2020.

For example: policy makers; financiers and Registration and Operations economists; business leaders and local Kennedy and the EPC Contractor continue to government; small, medium and large-scale work diligently with AEMO and Ergon to renewable energy decision makers, people complete the project’s registration as a concerned about climate change. generator, particularly in relation to modelling to demonstrate compliance with the project’s More information and registration available generator performance standards(GPS). Once here registered Kennedy will immediately https://www.smartenergy.org.au/events/stim commence testing and progress towards ulus-summit-renewablesled-economic- commercial operation. recovery

Source: Windlab

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NEW PROJECTS construction period there is estimated to be South Tamworth Solar Farm up to 30 personnel on site for up to 6 months. Contact: Henry Sun Location: Country Rd, Westdale, NSW Chief Executive Officer Capacity: 5 MW Providence Asset Group Developer: Providence Asset Group Tel: (02) 9264 9889 LGA: Tamworth Regional Council Email: [email protected] Status: Project on public exhibition

Estimated Cost: ~$7mil

Description: The South Tamworth Solar Farm project includes a no larger than 5MW grid- AER approves investment in connected solar PV installation. Once QNI expansion project established, the solar farm will be connected 28 April to the adjacent 11 kV powerline originating Supporting New South Wales businesses and from the Essential Energy South Tamworth households to avoid energy bill increases due Zone Substation. It is proposed to connect to the closure of Liddell is one of the reasons into the electrical transmission grid via the the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has existing transmission lines which run along approved the final element of the Queensland the northern boundary of the site. The – New South Wales Interconnector (QNI) proposed development aims to erect regulatory process. approximately 14,196 solar PV panels producing 425W. Other electrical generation The AER has determined that TransGrid can infrastructure is proposed on the site recover the efficient costs of upgrading the including a skid-mounted MV QNI from customers. consisting of inverters, transformer and switchgear. The PV arrangement will consist The AER estimates TransGrid will incur $218 of 204 ground mounted single axis trackers. million in capital costs to deliver the project.

Guyra Solar Farm AER Chair Clare Savage said, “Consumers will Location: 175 Glen Ross Road Guyra, NSW get value for money from this investment, Capacity: 5 MW including wholesale market cost savings.” Developer: Providence Asset Group LGA: Armidale Regional Council The AER’s decision allows TransGrid to Status: Under assessment by Northern recover an additional $28.2 million from Regional Planning Panel customers over 2021-22 and 2022-23 to Estimated Cost: ~$7mil account for the costs of delivering this project. Description: The solar PV farm project at This is slightly lower than the $30.3 million Guyra includes a no larger than 5MW grid- proposed by TransGrid, due to the AER’s connected solar PV installation. Once assessment of the cost of overheads for the established, the solar farm will be connected project. to the Essential Energy grid at Guyra Substation. The proposed development aims This will increase annual transmission charges to erect an estimated 14,280 solar PV panels by 1.7 per cent per year in 2021-22 and 2022- producing 420W. Other electrical generation 23. This is an indicative increase of $2 per year infrastructure is proposed on the site in residential electricity bills in New South including 2 x 2.5MW inverter system Wales. supported by a Medium Voltage Power Station transformer and switch gear. The PV The AER has fast tracked its consideration to arrangement will consist of 170 ground support the timely completion of this mounted single axis trackers. During the significant project. Early works on the project have already commenced, with delivery and

Page 3 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) completion of inter-network testing expected TransGrid Chief Executive Officer Paul Italiano by June 2022. welcomed the Australian Energy Regulator’s approval of the Contingent Project Application Ms Savage said the timely completion of (CPA) for QNI which will commence on-site regulatory processes is a significant factor in construction next month. the success of major infrastructure projects. “The QNI project has been fast tracked with “Our job is to assess projects and make sure the support of the Federal and NSW they represent the long term interests of Governments which provided a joint consumers. It is also important that we do so agreement to facilitate the upgrade,” said Mr in a thorough and efficient manner. Italiano.

“We made our determination on the “While early works have been underway since Regulatory Investment Test – Transmission October last year, we are looking forward to element less than a month ago and our breaking ground on the civil construction determination today ends the AER’s work in coming weeks and delivering this involvement in the process.” project on time,” he said.

The AER approved the Regulatory Investment The upgraded interconnector will increase the Test – Transmission phase of the project in transfer capacity of electricity between March. The RIT-T is a cost benefit assessment Queensland and NSW, enable more efficient of the proposed interconnector expansion. sharing in the National Energy Market. The installation of innovative technology called “We tested the reasonableness of TransGrid static volt amp reactive compensators (SVCs) and Powerlink’s inputs and assumptions will strengthen the system by providing across a range of scenarios and found that the greater voltage stability and regulation. project is robust and will deliver a net economic benefit to Australian energy The project, which involves upgrades to consumers,” Ms Savage said. substations, transmission towers and lines, is expected to provide net benefits of $170 “The investment is expected to deliver $170 million* to electricity customers and million in net benefits to consumers and producers and create 150 jobs during producers of electricity and to support the construction. ongoing energy market transition. The cumulative benefits are expected to exceed Preparatory works, including upgrades to the investment cost within seven years.” access tracks, are due to begin next month. Once completed, teams will begin working on Source: AER upgrades to transmission towers and lines, including: - replacing transmission towers with poles Regulator approval clears the - installing new poles along existing spans - strengthening existing towers path for QNI - transmission line insulator works. 28 April The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has The CPA approval follows the decision by the today approved the upgrade of the AER last month to approve the Regulatory Queensland NSW Interconnector (QNI), which Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T), will increase the transfer of electricity which supported the options assessment, between the states and provide customers costs and net benefits of the project. with access to reliable, lowest cost energy.

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* The Regulatory Investment Test for Cherry Tree Transmission (RIT-T) Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) for the QNI Project delivers first generation to found that the preferred option for the QNI National Electricity Market Project is expected to deliver approximately 28 April $170 million in net benefits over the John Laing Group (“John Laing”), the assessment period to 2044-45 (in present international active investor and partner value terms). behind responsible infrastructure, is pleased to announce that the For more information about the project, visit: has delivered first generation to the National http://www.transgrid.com.au/qni Electricity Market. The Cherry Tree Wind Farm is located approximately 15km south- Source: Transgrid east of Seymour, Victoria and is being constructed by renewable energy developer Infigen Energy and international NEW PROJECT manufacturer Vestas. Dulacca Solar Farm Location: Yapunya Road, Dulacca, Queensland The first generation marks a significant Capacity: 100 MW milestone for the project, and will be followed Developer: juwi Renewable Energy by the final phase of work that involves the LGA: Western Downs Regional Council final testing of all turbines and wind farm Status: Referral submitted to federal control systems, before the wind farm is government for public comment brought into full operation. Description: The proposed Dulacca Solar Farm will cover an area of up to 315 hectares. The Despite the ongoing challenges of operating project will consist of solar arrays (mounted under COVID-19 restrictions, the project on single-axis trackers in parallel rows), above remains on track. A Pandemic Response Plan and below ground cabling, substation and has been implemented and site-specific inverters, control building, internal access controls and measures have been roads and car parking within the nominated implemented to ensure the safety of all staff. development area. An area for battery storage is designated next to the project’s Once the wind farm is complete, Infigen will substation and switchyard. The proposed purchase the electricity that the wind farm design aims to maximise the productive area generates and on-sell it into the grid. Vestas for solar power generation and retains spaces will also provide operational and maintenance between the rows as undeveloped land. The services to the project for 30 years. solar farm will connect to the electricity grid via an existing Roma - Columboola 132kV Commenting on the milestone, Regional transmission line, which crosses the site. Managing Director Justin Bailey said, “I am Contact: Cameron Garnsworthy delighted that we have been able to reach this Managing Director key milestone which is testament to the hard juwi Australia work of our colleagues during these Tel: (07) 3107 0908 challenging times. I would also like to thank Email: [email protected] our delivery partners Vestas and AusNet, whose major efforts have also made this possible.

Cherry Tree Wind Farm is a key asset in our renewable portfolio. When operational, the expected annual electricity output will be enough to power the equivalent of 37,000

Page 5 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) homes and significantly reduce the CO2 Technology Investment Roadmap, which will emissions in the area. We are committed to open soon for consultation. developing critical infrastructure projects in Australia that improve the lives of the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction communities in which we operate and it is Angus Taylor said Australia had several great to know that our projects are natural advantages for bioenergy, such as a contributing to a more sustainable future for large agricultural sector and a vibrant clean the people of Victoria.” energy industry.

Source: John Laing “Bioenergy has the potential to grow as a future energy source in Australia, providing dispatchable energy while at the same time Setting the path for bioenergy improving our fuel security and playing a role in reducing emissions,” Minister Taylor said. as a future energy source 28 April “With the appropriate settings and pathways, The Liberal National Government will examine the bioenergy sector can provide many how Australia can build its bioenergy sector to benefits for Australia such as safeguarding soil become an increased source of clean energy and water quality and making productive use and potential economic and job creation of waste resources. Significantly, a strong opportunities. bioenergy industry can also help to support our local farmers and bring more economic At the request of the Government, the growth for regional areas.” Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has started to develop a Bioenergy Roadmap Bioenergy is an important part of the waste and now calls for public submissions on how cycle, with waste products that are usually Australia can build its bioenergy sector and disposed instead being utilised and made into strengthen the country’s energy security. high-value energy. This includes waste products from the council, agricultural, Bioenergy uses organic and renewable industry and forestry sectors. Commonly used materials to produce a range of energy sources include plastics, sugar cane waste, outputs including heat, electricity, gas and wood, wastewater and animal waste. liquid fuels. The Bioenergy Roadmap is expected to be Australia has a unique opportunity to grow completed in the second half of 2020. bioenergy which currently accounts for around four per cent of Australia’s current The Government, through ARENA, has already energy mix compared to around seven per provided more than $118 million to help fund cent in some other OECD countries. Australian bioenergy projects from areas such as waste, biogas, biomass and biofuels. The Bioenergy Roadmap will focus on economic opportunities, including a focus on More information on how to contribute to the regional Australia, and the potential for roadmap is available on the ARENA website. biofuels to help decarbonise the industrial and transport sectors, and strengthen Australia’s Source: AEMO liquid fuel security.

The Bioenergy Roadmap will help to inform investment and policy decisions in the bioenergy sector. This work will form an important input into the Government’s

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Flender to expand in Western 1970s and are still in service today in mine and port locations across the Pilbara and Australia with a new purpose- other regions of WA. The facility will also be built facility designed to cater for projected growth in 28 April ‘geared’ wind turbines over the next couple of Flender, a leading global supplier of decades. The new facility will enable Flender mechanical drives and a subsidiary of to combine sales, project delivery, technology giant Siemens has announced engineering and training in one location. plans for expansion into Western Australia with a new state-of-the-art facility in Tonkin “Whilst COVID-19 has presented challenges to Highway Industrial Estate in Bayswater. The Australian economy, we take a long-term view move comes as Flender continues to grow in and are confident in our expansion plans to the region and looks to expand its operations help set up the right support structure for the in Western Australia to meet increasing nation’s critical energy infrastructure and customer demand, especially in wind energy industry. Having been in WA for over 40 years, and mining sectors. our view is and always has been long-term. We are supporting critical industries such as The investment will include a new purpose- mining now and are preparing for future built 3,500 square metre facility set for growth in other industries,” added Mr. Emara. completion in September. When complete, the new premises will be the only OEM facility This announcement follows the $5 million on the West Coast with a 1.5 MW test bench investment into Rockhampton service centre capable of testing complete drive systems up in 2017. to a voltage of 6.6KV. Source: Siemens Kareem Emara, CEO and Managing Director at Flender Australia, said that relocating to Tonkin Highway Industrial Estate will allow Accelerated planning projects Flender to centralise operations and get closer to customers in Western Australia: “Flender to deliver jobs and boost the has been renowned for high performance, economy innovation, quality, and reliability of 28 April mechanical components for over 120 years. Thousands of new homes, new industrial We have been growing exponentially the last complexes and six schools are among the first few years and now have the biggest installed wave of projects that will have their base in mining and wind turbine gearboxes assessments fast-tracked to boost the state’s compared to any other OEM in Australia.” economy and create opportunities for thousands of new jobs in response to the “Regardless of where we are, being close to COVID-19 crisis. our customers is the cornerstone of our business model. Western Australia has been Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Planning and an excellent market for us in the recent years. Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes and It’s only natural for us to reinvest in this key Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have today market and be where our customers are to announced the first 24 projects to undergo a offer them the combined brains trust of over fast-tracked assessment process as part of the 50 facilities worldwide through this new state- NSW Government’s new Planning System of-the-art centre,” said Mr. Emara. Acceleration Program.

Flender has the largest installed base of “By fast-tracking assessments, we will keep industrial drives in Western Australia. Some people in jobs and keep the construction installations have been in operation since the industry moving as we ride out the COVID-19

Page 7 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) pandemic and set our sights on economic The criteria has been formulated by the recovery,” Ms Berejiklian said. Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in consultation with government The 24 projects identified in the first tranche agencies and key industry groups. A probity of fast-tracked assessments have the advisor will continue to oversee and report on potential to: - Create almost 9,500 new jobs the fast-tracked process to ensure it is during construction and once complete; transparent and robust. - Inject $7.54 billion into the state’s economy; - Deliver more than 325,000 square metres of Mr Perrottet said additional projects that fit new public open space, parks and the new criteria would go through the fast- environmental conservation lands; and tracked process, with further tranches to be - Allow more than 4,400 new homes to be announced. built, including more than 1,000 social and affordable homes. “We know our planning system will be a key lever in driving investment in NSW as we Mr Stokes said decisions will be made on the come out of this crisis,” Mr Perrottet said. first tranche of projects within the next four weeks. “NSW already has the country’s biggest infrastructure program and we need to do “This will mean shovel-ready projects can get what we can now to make sure that underway and the construction pipeline can continues.” continue to grow,” Mr Stokes said. Fast-tracking project assessments is one of “If approved, these projects will be a win-win the key pillars of the NSW Government’s for NSW: delivering jobs for today, and local Planning System Acceleration Program that community and business benefits tomorrow.” will create opportunities for more than 30,000 jobs by the end of September 2020. “It’s important to note that this is not a greenlighting exercise, the same stringent Other elements of the Program include a new checks, balances and community consultation one-stop shop for industry, clearing the that ensures transparency, public benefit and backlog of cases stuck in the Land & merit-based assessment of projects remain.” Environment Court and investing $70 million to co-fund vital new community infrastructure The criteria to identify and progress projects in North West Sydney. through a fast-tracked assessment process has also been released. View the fast-tracked assessment criteria and list of projects. To be considered for a fast-tracked assessment, the development application NOTE: Snowy 2.0 - Main Works, valued at (DA) or rezoning must already be in the $4.6bil, was first listed of initial 24 major system, deliver a public benefit, demonstrate projects in the NSW Government’s new an ability to create jobs during construction Planning System Acceleration Program and once complete, be able to commence construction within six months (for a state Source: NSW Government Significant Development application or state Significant Infrastructure application) or allow a DA to be lodged within six months (for a rezoning).

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Webinar - a clean recovery Pumped hydro costs The Clean Energy Council invites you to join a 29 April forum of leading political, industry and Snowy 2.0 project community representatives to discuss the Further to Australian Energy Market enormous potential of A Clean Recovery to Operator’s (AEMO) stakeholder letter issued lead Australia's economic recovery from on Monday 27 April providing an update on COVID-19. the cost assumptions for the Final 2020 Integrated Systems Plan (ISP), AEMO wishes Date 5 May 2020 to clarify that the capital cost increases Time 10:00am - 12:00pm foreshadowed for pumped hydro projects do not apply to the Snowy 2.0 project. COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the Australian economy. A Clean Recovery can This has resulted in misreporting by media use Australia's enormous renewable energy outlets incorrectly linking cost increases to the and energy storage potential to create jobs Snowy 2.0 project. AEMO has contacted and jumpstart the economy. these media outlets and understands that these incorrect statements have since been A Clean Recovery can create thousands of removed. new jobs, empower consumers, lower power prices and create the smart infrastructure of Contrary to what has been reported, the the future. This will cement Australia's place pumped hydro cost increases referred to in as a global clean energy superpower, the ‘progress update on 2020 ISP’ only apply underpinning our competitive advantage for to future, and as yet uncommitted, pumped decades to come. hydro projects in mainland Australia.

More details and registration available here Snowy 2.0 is a fully funded committed project https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/even and AEMO is not aware of any changes to the ts/webinar-a-clean-recovery capital costs since the feasibility study in 2017.

PROJECT NEWS The Final 2020 ISP is expected to be released Delburn Wind Farm later this year.

OSMI Australia submitted a referral for its Source: AEMO proposed 200 MW Delburn Wind Farm project, south of Moe in Victoria, to the federal government for assessment. The project involves the installation of up to 35 AEMO outlines plan to operate turbines and associated infrastructure, the power system with very primarily the wind turbine hardstands, expansion of existing roads and access tracks, high levels of renewables creation of new access tracks, installation of 30 April underground cabling, electrical substation(s), The Australian Energy Market Operator battery storage facility, operations and (AEMO) today released the Renewable maintenance centre, meteorological masts, Integration Study (RIS), the first stage of a and temporary construction hardstands and multi-year plan to maintain system security in facilities throughout the study area. The size a future National Electricity Market (NEM) of the impact area or development footprint with a high share of renewable resources. is 209.766 hectares. The RIS evaluates the technical challenges associated with reliance on high levels of renewable energy resources and the actions

Page 9 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) that must be taken. The study focuses on the highest levels of residential solar time period up to 2025 when AEMO forecasts photovoltaics (PV). By 2025, AEMO’s Draft that at times, as much as 75 per cent of 2020 ISP forecasts in its ‘central’ scenario that energy could be provided by wind and solar this can increase to 27 GW of wind and solar, resources. including both utility and distributed solar PV. This scenario does not yet take the effects of AEMO’s Managing Director and CEO, Audrey COVID-19 into account. Zibelman, said that the Renewable Integration Study sets out an action plan that supports “Given the pace and complexity of change in the secure transition of the NEM power the NEM, the study highlights the need for system. flexible market and regulatory frameworks that can adapt swiftly and effectively as our “The Renewable Integration Study makes it understanding of the changing power system clear that today’s operating approaches and evolves. This is going to be particularly market frameworks are becoming less important in the areas of technical standards effective as the NEM continues its and frameworks for sourcing essential system transformation to world-leading levels of services,” she said. renewable generation”, Ms Zibelman said. The report highlights key areas of challenges “Australia already has the technical capability and actions: secure system operation; system to safely operate a power system where three impacts of high distributed solar PV; managing quarters of our energy at times comes from both frequency and system strength with wind and solar energy generation. reducing synchronous generation online; and managing increasing variability and “However, to do so requires changes in our uncertainty in energy supply. markets and regulatory requirements, otherwise, AEMO will be required to limit the In recommending actions and highlighting contribution of these wind and solar positive potential outcomes, AEMO does not resources to 50 or 60 per cent of electricity underestimate the extent of work that will be supply at any point in time, even though they required to successfully adapt the NEM. are the lowest cost way of providing electricity,” she said. “The findings of this report have far-reaching implications for the energy sector in Australia Based on the learnings contained in the RIS, now and in the coming years,” she said. AEMO recommends the following actions are “AEMO looks forward to working closely with prioritised, agreed and implemented well stakeholders to explore the findings and ahead of 2025: actions arising from this report and develop - Continue the design and deployment of the an integrated program of priority focus areas Energy Security Board’s (ESB) Market 2025 to support the energy transition.” reform program with particular focus on ahead and system security services markets Source: AEMO - New standards and settings to maximise the potential contribution of distributed solar PV - Construction of required transmission resources identified in the Integrated System Plan (ISP)

In total, the NEM has 17 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar generation capacity, with several regions among the world’s highest levels of wind and solar, including one of the

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Clean Energy Council to working with AEMO and other market bodies on changes to market and regulatory welcomes AEMO's Renewable arrangements to deliver high levels of system Integration Study reliability and security through the significant 30 April energy transformation underway.” The Clean Energy Council welcomes the Renewable Integration Study (RIS), released Source: Clean Energy Council today by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), which evaluates the technical challenges associated with a reliance Global energy demand to on high levels of renewable energy resources. plunge this year as a result of The study highlights that Australia can reach the biggest shock since the 75 per cent instantaneous penetration of Second World War wind and solar in the next five years, which 30 April Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane The Covid-19 pandemic represents the biggest Thornton said is “exciting news” for the shock to the global energy system in more industry and consumers alike. than seven decades, with the drop in demand

this year set to dwarf the impact of the 2008 “This would mean that 10 GW of renewables financial crisis and result in a record annual can be added in a relatively short amount of decline in carbon emissions of almost 8%. time, and as a world leader in renewable energy transition, we should be taking every A new report released today by the step necessary to get there.” International Energy Agency provides an

almost real-time view of the Covid-19 The study sets out actions to adapt Australia’s pandemic’s extraordinary impact across all market and regulatory arrangements to major fuels. Based on an analysis of more ensure we can reap the full benefits of more than 100 days of real data so far this year, the renewable energy. IEA’s Global Energy Review includes estimates

for how energy consumption and carbon Mr Thornton said the industry is committed to dioxide (CO2) emissions trends are likely to ensuring the highest levels of system security evolve over the rest of 2020. in the National Electricity Market (NEM) are maintained as we move to higher levels of “This is a historic shock to the entire energy renewables penetration in the electricity grid. world. Amid today’s unparalleled health and

economic crises, the plunge in demand for “The significant advantages of renewable nearly all major fuels is staggering, especially energy both from an environmental and for coal, oil and gas. Only renewables are socioeconomic standpoint have been known holding up during the previously unheard-of for some time now. AEMO’s Draft 2020 slump in electricity use,” said Dr Fatih Birol, Integrated System Plan demonstrates that the the IEA Executive Director. “It is still too early least cost future system is one dominated by to determine the longer-term impacts, but the renewables. This report provides actions on energy industry that emerges from this crisis how we can make a high renewables will be significantly different from the one electricity system a technical reality. that came before.”

“We should be preparing the system for this The Global Energy Review’s projections of transformation through flexible market and energy demand and energy-related emissions regulatory frameworks that can adapt swiftly for 2020 are based on assumptions that the and effectively as the power system evolves. lockdowns implemented around the world in The clean energy industry is looking forward response to the pandemic are progressively

Page 11 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) eased in most countries in the coming combined share of gas and coal in the global months, accompanied by a gradual economic power mix is set to drop by 3 percentage recovery. points in 2020 to a level not seen since 2001.

The report projects that energy demand will Coal is particularly hard hit, with global demand fall 6% in 2020 – seven times the decline after projected to fall by 8% in 2020, the largest the 2008 global financial crisis. In absolute decline since the Second World War. Following terms, the decline is unprecedented – the its 2018 peak, coal-fired power generation is set equivalent of losing the entire energy demand to fall by more than 10% this year. of India, the world’s third largest energy consumer. Advanced economies are expected After 10 years of uninterrupted growth, to see the biggest declines, with demand set natural gas demand is on track to decline 5% to fall by 9% in the United States and by 11% in 2020. This would be the largest recorded in the European Union. The impact of the year-on-year drop in consumption since crisis on energy demand is heavily dependent natural gas demand developed at scale during on the duration and stringency of measures to the second half of the 20th century. The curb the spread of the virus. For instance, the massive impact of the crisis on oil demand has IEA found that each month of worldwide already been covered in detail in our April Oil lockdown at the levels seen in early April Market Report. reduces annual global energy demand by about 1.5%. Renewables are set to be the only energy source that will grow in 2020, with their share Changes to electricity use during lockdowns of global electricity generation projected to have resulted in significant declines in overall jump thanks to their priority access to grids electricity demand, with consumption levels and low operating costs. Despite supply chain and patterns on weekdays looking like those disruptions that have paused or delayed of a pre-crisis Sunday. Full lockdowns have deployment in several key regions this year, pushed down electricity demand by 20% or solar PV and wind are on track to help lift more, with lesser impacts from partial renewable electricity generation by 5% in lockdowns. Electricity demand is set to decline 2020, aided by higher output from by 5% in 2020, the largest drop since the hydropower. Great Depression in the 1930s. “This crisis has underlined the deep reliance At the same time, lockdown measures are of modern societies on reliable electricity driving a major shift towards low-carbon supplies for supporting healthcare systems, sources of electricity including wind, solar PV, businesses and the basic amenities of daily hydropower and nuclear. After overtaking life,” said Dr Birol. “But nobody should take coal for the first time ever in 2019, low- any of this for granted – greater investments carbon sources are set to extend their lead and smarter policies are needed to keep this year to reach 40% of global electricity electricity supplies secure.” generation – 6 percentage points ahead of coal. Electricity generation from wind and Despite the resilience of renewables in solar PV continues to increase in 2020, lifted electricity generation in 2020, their growth is by new projects that were completed in 2019 set to be lower than in previous years. and early 2020. Nuclear power, another major source of low- carbon electricity, is on track to drop by 3% This trend is affecting demand for electricity this year from the all-time high it reached in from coal and natural gas, which are finding 2019. And renewables outside the power themselves increasingly squeezed between sector are faring less well. Global demand for low overall power demand and increasing biofuels is set to fall substantially in 2020 as output from renewables. As a result, the restrictions on transport and travel reduce

Page 12 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) road transport fuel demand, including for Fund to help develop clean blended fuels. energy projects in Western As a result of these trends – mainly the Australia declines in coal and oil use – global energy- 30 April related CO2 emissions are set to fall by almost - The McGowan Government has established 8% in 2020, reaching their lowest level since a $9 million Clean Energy Future Fund 2010. This would be the largest decrease in - Allocation of funds to clean energy projects emissions ever recorded – nearly six times will commence from September, 2020 larger than the previous record drop of 400 - Around $2 million is available for project million tonnes in 2009 that resulted from the milestones to be delivered in 2020-21 with up global financial crisis. to a further $3 million per year in 2021-22 and 2022-23 “Resulting from premature deaths and economic trauma around the world, the The McGowan Government has opened historic decline in global emissions is applications for the first round of funding as absolutely nothing to cheer,” said Dr Birol. part of its Clean Energy Future Fund. “And if the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis is anything to go by, we are likely to The Fund, administered by the Department of soon see a sharp rebound in emissions as Water and Environmental Regulation with economic conditions improve. But support from Energy Policy WA, has been governments can learn from that experience established to support the development of by putting clean energy technologies – innovative clean energy projects. renewables, efficiency, batteries, hydrogen and carbon capture – at the heart of their Clean energy projects will be eligible for plans for economic recovery. funding of between $250,000 and $2 million per project, with the State Government Source: IEA funding up to 25 per cent of eligible project costs.

PROJECT NEWS Projects will be evaluated on their capacity to Manilla Solar Farm reduce emissions reductions, potential for The state government’s Northern Regional wider adoption, project innovation and Planning Panel will assess Manilla Community financial viability. Renewable Energy’s development application for a proposed project involving the Funding for eligible clean energy projects at construction and operation of a 5 MW solar significant facilities required to report under farm covering approximately 18 hectares on a the National Greenhouse and Energy 54 hectare lot. The solar farm will consist of Reporting scheme, and located in regional and 180 ground-mounted tracking photovoltaic remote areas will be given priority in the first (PV) arrays. Each array comprises of 84 PV round. panels with 104 degree motion mounted on steel posts. A total of 151,120 PV panels are Applications will be assessed by an executive proposed. The proposal will also consist of a group, with recommendations made to the 2.9 metre high power conversion unit (PCU) Environment Minister and Energy Minister for with dimensions of 6.1 x 2.4 metres, a 2.3 their joint decision. metre high chain wire fence around the perimeter of the solar farm, a gravel vehicle In addition to initial State Government seed access and parking area to be connected to funding, royalties from future unconventional Manilla Road, and an operations and onshore oil and gas projects in Western maintenance building. Australia will be directed to the fund.

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Applications close July 13, 7am AWST. To Last wind turbine completed at apply or for more information go to https://www.dwer.wa.gov.au/ceff 30 April Comments attributed to Environment AGL today announced Australia’s largest wind Minister Stephen Dawson: farm had passed a major milestone with the "Western Australia is home to some completion of construction of the final turbine incredible innovation that can help underpin a at Coopers Gap in Queensland. prosperous, low-carbon future. AGL Head of Construction Brian McEvoy said "Clean energy technologies and industries will the final blade on the 123rd wind turbine was be an important source of future jobs and will hoisted into place by crane and fitted to the support sustainable growth. turbine hub by the rigging crew last Friday.

"Nowhere is this more important than in our “This is a significant milestone for everyone regions, which is why priority will be given to involved in the Coopers Gap Wind Farm funding clean energy projects in remote and project including the owner, the Powering regional Western Australia. Australian Renewables Fund,” Mr McEvoy said. "Priority will be given to funding clean energy projects in remote and regional Western “It continues a process that began in early Australia where this industry is vitally 2018 and which included transporting more important. than 1,200 components more than 300 kilometres from the Port of over a "The fund also supports the McGowan mountain range to the Darling Downs site, Government's commitment to achieving net where the giant turbines were assembled and zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050." erected.

Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum “The scale of the achievement is underlined Minister Bill Johnston: by the fact that each of the blades are more "The McGowan Government is committed to than 60 metres long, the nacelle housing the facilitating solutions to reduce greenhouse generating parts weighed 90 tonnes, and they gas emissions that promote innovation, new were lifted more than 100 metres into the air technologies and new opportunities for hundreds of times to be fitted. Western Australians. “About 200 people from the GE – Catcon "The Clean Energy Future Fund will not only consortium worked on site at the peak of assist in the development of clean energy construction work but this will wind down to projects, it will also create jobs, which will be about 20 once operations begin.” increasingly important in the recovery post‑COVID-19. Mr McEvoy said 96 of the 123 turbines had been commissioned and 182 megawatts of "This is another step the McGowan power was being generated into the National Government is taking to work with industry to Electricity Market as the wind farm gradually support innovation and harness our world- ramped up to full capacity of 453 megawatts, class renewable energy resources." which is enough renewable energy to power 264,000 average Australian homes. Source: WA Government He said the $850 million project was expected to be completed in the second half of 2020.

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“We could not have got to this point without Infigen Energy - Third quarter the strong support from all of our key stakeholders including the Queensland FY20 activity report Government, the Western Downs and South 30 April Burnett regional councils, local landowners, (Excerpt) the Australian Energy Market Operator and Given recent market disruption, Infigen has ,” Mr McEvoy said. taken several decisive steps designed to safeguard the interests of all our stakeholders “It’s satisfying to reach this important through this economic downturn. milestone knowing we’ve done it safely and by supporting the community in which we are First, Infigen remains committed to, but is re- located by focusing much of our spending on calibrating the timing of, the delivery of the local businesses and contractors.” 600-700MW of targeted nameplate renewable energy capacity growth. The Source: AGL Energy decision to adjust the rate of growth is in line with Infigen’s Capital Management Strategy of ensuring any growth initiatives are accretive, meet Infigen’s hurdle rate and properly price SPI awarded 149MW economic and financial risks. The decision to Glenrowan West Solar Farm re-accelerate the growth strategy is one that piling contract will be made when Infigen has confidence in the timeframe over which market conditions 30 April will normalise. In the short term, this decision Solar Pile International has been awarded the minimises Infigen’s exposure to wholesale contract to supply over 53,000 piles to the electricity prices. 149MW Glenrowan West Solar Farm in

Victoria, Australia. Secondly, Infigen is deferring the timeline for

a Final Investment Decision (FID) in relation to Generating enough electricity to power over the Flyers Creek Wind Farm. Infigen had 41,000 homes, the Glenrowan West Solar targeted the financial close of Flyers Creek on Farm is an extremely significant addition or about 30 June 2020. The decision to defer towards Australia’s renewable energy goals. FID is due to a range of risks that arise from The project will also reduce emissions by an the COVID-19 crisis, including risks related to estimated 110,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide financing, construction, and commissioning, per year. through this period of economic and social

disruption, along with a more subdued The project is located 11km South-west of wholesale electricity price outlook. Based on Glenrowan, Victoria, and spans across 319 Infigen’s front end engineering and design hectares of land. process, the underlying strengths of this asset

are unchanged; namely that Flyers Creek We would like to thank Signal Energy Australia Wind Farm is located close to large electricity for the opportunity to be involved in such a load, with a compelling wind resource, in one significant project and we look forward to of the nation’s most opportunity rich starting deliveries to site. electricity markets, NSW. As and when the

market normalises, consideration of FID for Source: Solar Pile International Flyers Creek Wind Farm – either on Balance

Sheet or Capital Lite – will be evaluated within the context of our Capital Management Strategy.

Source: Infigen Energy

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Final oversize items understanding of occasional traffic delays that occurred during our oversize transport transported to Granville program. Harbour Wind Farm 1 May “Thanks to the collective cooperation of Granville Harbour Wind Farm has taken residents, Department State Growth, Councils delivery of its final massive wind turbine and emergency services, all loads have now tower section, marking the end of the been delivered safely to our construction project’s 18-week transport program. site”.

In what was the largest transportation Specialist drivers for oversize transport program ever seen on the West Coast, a total contractor, Rex Andrews, worked a total of of 372 oversize items – including tower 17,820 hours over five months to deliver all sections, turbine blades, nacelles, hubs and items to site. drive trains – have now been successfully delivered to the remote wind farm Transport has continued in recent weeks construction site, near Zeehan. under current COVID-19 travel restrictions with the wind farm considered an ‘essential’ Oversize loads were transported using construction project by the Tasmanian State custom-made truck trailers and followed an Government. approved 193-kilometre route starting out from the project’s storage yard, near Onsite construction works are also continuing Bunnings in Burnie. in accordance with strict physical distancing requirements. Oversize loads departed before dawn to minimise disruption to local drivers and were A total of 20 wind turbines have now been accompanied by experienced Heavy Vehicle installed, with the project’s switchyard and Escort Drivers from the Department State 11-kilometre transmission line also complete. Growth. 125 specialist workers are currently on the project site. Project Director, Lyndon Frearson, said news that last deliveries had made it to site safely The wind farm is also in the process of and without incident had provided the wind advertising for permanent ongoing technical farm’s workers with a ‘yet another sense of roles – with up to 5 Tasmanian-based workers significant achievement’. required to operate the wind farm once it is complete. “The transport of our oversize wind turbines has been an incredibly complex undertaking Construction works for the $280 million wind when you consider the nature of North West farm are expected to be complete in August Coast roads and variable weather conditions,” this year. he said. Source: Granville Harbour Wind Farm “We are indebted to residents and local businesses who have been very patient and

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