Project Update Week ending 26 June 2020

2019-20 summer highlights need for enhanced energy system resilience 22 June The impact of unprecedented and significant smoke, dust, and violent storm catastrophic fires coupled with other extreme activity,” Ms Zibelman said. weather events experienced throughout Australia last summer highlights the need to “Despite unprecedented challenges, power strengthen resilience across Australia’s system security was maintained. This electricity and gas networks, supported by fit- outcome was achieved through having for-purpose regulatory arrangements. sufficient reserves available throughout the summer and a great deal of hard work across AEMO’s National Electricity Market (NEM) the industry to manage through a number of Summer Operations Review, published today, very complex and challenging climate-related considers the effectiveness of preparations events. undertaken by AEMO, state governments and NEM participants ahead of summer, and “What’s clear from our experience last subsequent real-time efforts managing power summer, is that planning is essential and it’s system events during the season. It covers the critical for AEMO with governments, industry conditions experienced last summer and and other stakeholders to assess how we can identifies a range of potential improvements best assure the resilience of Australia’s energy to support secure, affordable and reliable infrastructure to these rare but extreme the operations into the future. events,” she said.

AEMO Managing Director and CEO, Audrey New interconnections between states, Zibelman, said that Australia’s physical integration of wholesale demand response, electricity infrastructure is being increasingly more flexible market design and interim challenged by longer lasting and more reliability measures agreed by energy extreme climatic and bushfire conditions, ministers in March all need to be progressed. which threaten and degrade transmission and Doing so will add resilience as well as deepen generation infrastructure, as well as create competition, ensuring the energy system’s forecasting challenges as fire, ash, smoke and ability to manage extreme weather shocks is haze impact transmission networks and solar cost-effectively enhanced. In addition, output. consideration of how regulatory processes may better consider resilience benefits in “The preparations by AEMO and the industry network projects is warranted. contributed to mitigating the potentially extensive and significant power-system Key outcomes in the NEM during the 2019-20 impacts of a season characterised by record summer period: high temperatures, catastrophic bushfires, - Temperature: Australia's second warmest on record.

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- Energy demand: Largest underlying demand to power to serve approximately 34,000 to on record (38,055 megawatts on 31 January 92,500 homes and an associated societal cost 2020), of $77 million. Assuming these RERT costs are - Matching energy supply and demand: AEMO proportioned on a consumption basis, the declared 28 Lack of Reserve (LOR) conditions, average cost per household is estimated to be eight ‘actual’ LOR2s (four in NSWs, three in about $3.24 in New South Wales and $2.43 in Victoria, and one in South Australia). Victoria. - Transmission network separation events: Six separation events occurred, compared to zero Ms Zibelman said the outcomes from last in the prior summer. A separation event is an summer emphasised the value of the electrical disconnection between NEM regions preparations taken prior to the start of the (states) although they can also occur within a season. region resulting in part of one state being isolated from the rest of the state and “The process for preparing for summer 2020- supplied from another region. Separation 21 will be similar, as far as possible, to that events reduce the supply that can be shared undertaken for this summer with additional between states, reducing resilience, challenges due to the impact of the COVID-19 competition and creating additional pandemic,” she said. operational challenges for the power system. - Market interventions: AEMO issued 178 The Australian Competition and Consumer directions to deal with actual or potential Commission (ACCC) has granted interim supply shortages or system security issues, authorisation to AEMO to allow electricity representing a ten-fold increase over the past industry participants to co-operate on certain three years. The majority (65) were issued to measures to ensure safe, secure, and reliable maintain system strength in South Australia operation of Australia’s energy systems, when the state was separated or ‘islanded’ ongoing energy supply, and integrity of from the rest of the NEM. wholesale markets during the COVID-19 - Coal, gas, wind and solar generation: pandemic. AEMO will use this process where Consistent with previous extreme heat necessary to manage generator and events, conventional generators experienced transmission maintenance so it can be material output deratings. Additionally, and completed prior to summer. for the first time, AEMO observed that certain extreme temperatures led to some wind Source: AEMO turbines cutting-out across South Australia and Victoria. Dust exacerbated by the drought and bushfire smoke, ash and dust storms also Funding boost for nation's first materially impacted grid-scale and rooftop PV solar generation forecasts. coordinated renewable energy - Activation of off-market energy reserves: zone Prior to summer, AEMO procured 137 MW of 23 June long notice reserves for Victoria and 1,698 Detailed planning of Australia’s first MW of medium and short notice reserves coordinated Renewable Energy Zone in the across the NEM through the Reliability and state’s Central-West Orana region will get Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) underway following a funding boost from the mechanism. AEMO activated RERT capacity of Australian Renewable Energy Agency between 68 MW and 185 MW in response to (ARENA). high demand and low generation reserves on four days at a total cost of $39.8 million, The $5 million funding agreement with ARENA avoiding involuntary load shedding if critical will enable TransGrid to undertake feasibility generation or transmission failed during these and planning works for the Central-West periods. The RERT volumes and prices equate Orana Renewable Energy Zone and to begin

Page 2 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) engaging with local communities over the Together, the three new Renewable Energy coming months to discuss elements like Zones are expected to provide the bulk of environmental surveys and route NSW’s future electricity supply, with more identification. than 17,000 MW of new generation expected to connect over the next 10 years. “We are pleased to be working closely with ARENA and the NSW Government to develop The Federal and NSW Governments and the the first coordinated Renewable Energy Zone Australian Energy Market Operator support in Australia, where new generation will be co- efforts to explore these zones to help enable located with new transmission infrastructure the nation’s transition to a lower carbon in the state’s Central-West Orana region,” said economy. CEO Paul Italiano. Construction of the Central-West Orana “Investment in the new infrastructure will Renewable Energy Zone is due to begin at the enable renewable energy providers to end of 2022. connect to the grid and enable more affordable, reliable and clean energy for New For more information, go to: South Wales customers,” he said. http://www.transgrid.com.au/centralwestora na The NSW Government has already committed $9 million to the project and today announced Source: TransGrid a further $31.6 million in funding for the pilot, including the establishment of a body to oversee the development of the new zone NEW PROJECT which will add at least 3,000MW of electricity Mount James Wind Farm capacity to the system. The project will Location: Hughenden in North Queensland represent around $4.5 billion in private sector Capacity: Up to 1000 MW in stages investment and will provide 450 regional jobs. Developer: North Queensland Renewable

Energy Zone “Together with the NSW Government and Status: Acquisition, feasibility and planning ARENA, we are preparing for the future by studies completed extending and expanding the state’s high Expected cost: $2000mil voltage network to allow new generators to Description: The Mt James Wind Farm will connect to the grid,” said Mr Italiano. consist of up to 200 turbines to be

constructed in stages on grazing land north of “By strengthening the National Electricity Hughenden. Development relies on Market, TransGrid will help deliver cheaper construction of the CopperString transmission electricity to customers as we start to face the line planned to be built between Townsville closure of the state’s coal-fired power stations and Mount Isa from next year which will feed towards the end of this decade.” Queensland’s North West Minerals Province.

Contact: Dr John Keir TransGrid has collaborated with the NSW Executive Director Government and ARENA on the project since North Queensland Renewable Energy Zone mid-2019, which is expected to inform the Email: [email protected] model for two other Renewable Energy Zones in the state’s north and south.

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Release of the RFT for Proposed PPA for electricity and LGCs The RFT details the Council’s electricity and Nillumbik Council's proposed LGC demand and proposed PPA offtake from Solar Farm the Solar Farm. The tenderers also have the Renewable Energy Insights was recently option to include energy storage on-site to appointed to advise on the tender design for meet night-time electricity demand from the the Nillumbik Council's Solar Farm Project. Council.

The Project reached a key milestone over the The proposed PPA aims to provide the Council weekend with the release of an RFT for the with: development of a Solar Farm on the former  cost savings on its current retail Plenty landfill. The Council is also seeking to electricity arrangements; purchase electricity and LGCs from the Solar  certainty of price over the PPA period; Farm through a Power Purchase Agreement.  sustainable and ‘green’ electricity consumption; The tender is open until 16 July 2020, with  broad community and local economic documents available to download from the development benefits. Nillumbik Tenders website. The RFT notes that there may be future The Project is expected to start from opportunities to further add to the Council’s September 2020. Should all approvals be initial committed PPA offtake (subject to granted along the way, the Project would be future negotiations and Project capacity). starting to generate and deliver on its PPA in July 2023. Finally, a Retail Electricity Firming Agreement, to be entered into with a Retailer, sits Project summary alongside the PPA for the supply of firming The Nillumbik Shire Council is located to the electricity to the Council and for the north of Melbourne (less than 25 kilometres administration of the PPA. from the CBD) and services an estimated 62,602 residents. Source: Renewable Energy Insights

In November 2019, the Council decided to seek offers from the market to develop a solar NEW PROJECT farm on 6.9 hectares at the former landfill on Little Bogan Solar Farm Yan Yean Road, Plenty. The scope of the RFT Location: Moonagee St, Nyngan, NSW includes: Capacity: 5 MW AC  the Development of a Solar Farm; Developer: ITP Development Pty Ltd  a PPA to provide electricity and LGCs Status: Development Application lodged with to the Council; and Bogan Shire Council  opportunities to deliver other LGA: Bogan Shire Council innovative land uses such as: Description: The Little Bogan Solar Farm is to  suitable demonstration or trial of be constructed on an overall site area of 156.4 technologies on-site; ha within a 13.1 ha fenced area. The project  value added land uses such as public will feature 2 x 2.5 MW AC inverters, and be EV charging, rainwater collection or connected to Essential Energy’s Nyngan agricultural activities; and/or substation.  initiatives that deliver benefits to the Contact: Mishka Talent community(educational/ Portfolio Manager informational/economic Tel: (02) 6257 3511 development/investment Email: [email protected] opportunities).

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Renewable energy zone electricity in the world and this REZ will bring in the low-cost solar and wind to do that. sparking investment boom 23 June “The Energy Corporation of NSW will oversee The Central-West of NSW is set for a jobs and the development of the REZ, and this new investment bonanza, following massive funding will enable it to coordinate the interest in the State’s first Renewable Energy technical design and planning processes, lead Zone (REZ) and a further $31.6 million of community engagement and oversee the local funding from the NSW Government. benefit sharing process,” Mr Kean said.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the Government had received 113 registrations of Central-West Orana REZ is a win for the interest, totalling 27 gigawatts and valued at region’s landowners, workers and businesses. $38 billion, looking to connect to the 3 gigawatt REZ in the Central West and Orana “The Central-West Orana region has huge regions of NSW. potential to benefit from renewables jobs and investment. “With our local communities doing it tough from drought and now the COVID-19 “My focus is on making sure they are built in pandemic, this phenomenal response shows the right locations, have strong local support the massive opportunity REZs can create with and deliver long term benefits for our jobs, investment and new revenue streams community,” Mr Saunders said. for regional NSW. REZs involve making strategic transmission “The Central-West Orana REZ is expected to upgrades to bring multiple new generators generate $4.4 billion in investment, create online in areas with strong renewables 450 construction jobs, help put downward resources and community support. pressure on electricity prices and allow landowners to diversify their incomes by Further information on the NSW Renewable hosting renewable energy infrastructure. Energy Zones is available at Renewable Energy Zones “By coordinating development in a strategic way, REZs also help us get the land use Source: NSW Government planning right, and renewables built in places that work for the community, not just developers.” Contact confirms world-class Energy Minister Matt Kean said the NSW Tauhara geothermal resource Government had committed a further $31.6 23 June million to the Central-West Orana REZ, Contact Energy (Contact CEN.NZ) recently bringing the total budget to over $40 million. completed a $40 million appraisal¹ of the Tauhara geothermal field near Taupō. “With this funding locked in, we can bring the Central-West Orana REZ from a vision to a Contact CEO Mike Fuge said he was pleased reality. The Central-West Orana REZ, the first with the progress to date. “The results from of the State’s three Renewable Energy Zones, the four wells drilled in the appraisal will be the modern-day equivalent of a campaign confirm what we already knew: traditional power station, capable of powering Tauhara is a world-class renewable 1.3 million homes. geothermal project, all the more attractive because of its very low associated CO2 “I want NSW households and businesses to emissions. It will play an important role in have some of the cheapest and cleanest

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New Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon Epho to design and construct future. To put things in perspective, coal-fired generation emits 18 times more carbon than Canberra’s first community is expected from the Tauhara project, and solar farm gas-fired generation from a peaker emits 24 June eight times more.” - 1.3 megawatt of solar power

- Co-owned by 400 local community members “In addition to building our understanding of - Power for the equivalent of 325 Canberra the resource, we have already secured the homes equivalent of 75MW of high-temperature - 2.4 GWh of electricity each year production fluid which is a fantastic place to - be at this stage of the project.” 1200 Tonnes CO2 abatement each year

After an exhaustive competitive tender, Epho Commercial Solar has signed a contract Contact has also selected Sumitomo with SolarShare to design and construct Corporation (‘Sumitomo’) as the preferred Canberra’s first community solar farm in the construction partner for a 150MW power Majura Valley. The 1.3 megawatt solar farm station development at Tauhara and an early with single-axis tracker technology is a power works contract has been signed. Sumitomo is plant which is co-owned by members of the an engineering, procurement and nearby community and demonstrates how the construction contractor, headquartered in broader community can power Australia’s Japan, and has successfully delivered clean recovery coming out of a pandemic. geothermal projects in New Zealand and several other countries. SolarShare is a member-owned business designed to encourage member shareholders Sumitomo has partnered with New Zealand to have a closer connection with the activities construction company Naylor Love for the civil of the enterprise. As the climate is changing, engineering components of the project, and with so is society. SolarShare is part of the shift to Fuji Electric for the supply of the steam turbine. an economy where communities have an important part to play in their energy choices. Mr Fuge said the early works contract enabled “We needed a partner who understood the Sumitomo to commence plant design and complexity of the project and would work advance its site investigation and execution with us through the challenges of a planning. “It also provides the contractual community solar farm. Epho had been basis to procure long-lead time turbine and supporting our efforts for a couple of years, so generator components. The Tauhara the Epho Team was the most compelling development is now technically shovel-ready choice of solar company in terms of costs, and only subject to a final investment decision results, and risks for the execution phase of as soon as market conditions allow.“ our solar farm” said Lawrence McIntosh, SolarShare’s Principal Executive Officer. “If Tauhara proceeds, we expect to make an additional investment in the order of $600m¹. “The size of this project is relatively small This means it remains New Zealand’s cheapest compared to large utility-scale solar farms and and most attractive baseload renewable large compared to the typical residential or electricity generation project, and it will commercial solar projects. SolarShare needed deliver substantial economic benefits and jobs a reliable and capable partner for the size of in the central North Island.” this project and Epho perfectly fitted this criteria, since we have designed, constructed ¹ excludes capitalised interest and also operate many industrial solar power stations of this size around the country”, Source: Contact Energy explained Dr Oliver Hartley, Epho’s Managing Director. “We have successfully delivered

Page 6 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) hundreds of projects in the industrial space up Risen Energy (Australia) has to 6 MW in size”, said Oliver. signed a 150MW distribution “We have now entered the detailed design agreement, its largest phase and are excited to commence 24 June construction in August. The solar farm will For the second year in a row, Risen Energy start generating clean, renewable energy (Australia) has signed its largest distribution before Christmas this year”, said Axel La agreement with One Stop Warehouse, Toison, Epho’s Senior Project Manager, Australia’s largest solar distributor. Pursuant responsible for the project. “SolarShare has to this agreement, One Stop Warehouse will the comfort of Epho’s project delivery have exclusive rights to sell Risen’s 370W 132- capabilities demonstrated many times for Cell MONO PERC Half Cut Jaegar module to some of Australia’s largest corporations such the Australian Distribution Market, and will as Brisbane Airport Corporation, multi-phase subsequently have first rights to sell Risen’s solar rollouts for ALDI, solar urban power Titan 210mm cell series module for rooftop stations for DHL, Goodman, Dexus, Charter application. This is an upgrade from last year’s Hall and many other industrial property 100MW deal between the two companies and companies”. will be valid from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

“We are very happy to play our role in this To commemorate this significant event, Risen exciting project, where the community comes Energy (AU), represented by their General together to make a difference and to drive Manager, Eric Lee and One Stop Warehouse, Australia’s clean recovery”, said Matt represented by their Head of Procurement and Scaddan, Epho’s head of Business Marketing, Andy Cheng, participated in a virtual Development. “We hope it will inspire similar signing ceremony on Monday the 22nd of June. activities across the country”. The two companies possess strong Source: Epho Commercial Solar partnership ties and, in a speech given during the event, Mr Lee mentioned that there is “mutual respect and trust’’ and that Risen will PROJECT NEWS “continue to provide One Stop Warehouse Yanco Solar Farm with high technology products and support ib vogt’s proposed 60 MW Yanco Solar Farm them in their sales efforts”. He also expressed in Leeton Shire NSW, with an expected cost of Risen’s excitement in being a part of $99.3mil, was one of 19 new projects that will Australia’s thriving rooftop sector and their have their assessments fast-tracked through desire to support the Australian transition the Planning System Acceleration Program. To into a greener future. be considered for a fast-tracked assessment through the program, a development In his speech, Mr Cheng added that he is application (DA) or rezoning must already be “delighted to see Risen’s growth as one of the in the state’s system, deliver a public benefit, most popular brands in the Australian demonstrate an ability to create jobs during market” and that for him it is “exciting to construction and once complete, be able to work with such an accomplished supplier”. commence construction within six months (for a State Significant Development Risen’s goal is to become the leading panel application or State Significant Infrastructure provider in the Australian rooftop sector. application) or allow a DA to be lodged within Their high-performance Titan series modules six months (for a rezoning). will be available in the Australian market in early 2021.

Source: Risen Energy

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Federal Labor's bid to end in the past and return to good-faith negotiations to seek long overdue agreement climate and energy wars a on the future of Australia's energy and climate good starting point policy. Today's statement from the ALP is a 24 June positive first step. The Clean Energy Council cautiously welcomes Federal Labor's move to end the climate and "The hundreds of large-scale wind and solar energy wars that have mired the Australian projects that have been identified with political landscape for more than a decade. planning approval can inject over $50 billion worth of investment to revitalise economic Australia desperately needs to settle on a activity in our regional and rural policy that can achieve enduring bipartisan communities," Thornton said. political support and restores the confidence of clean energy investors to reduce the "Sensible energy policy is the way forward to nation's carbon emissions, ensures the prepare Australia for the future by delivering stability of the grid and keeps electricity prices economic growth and carbon abatement." low for households and industry alike. A policy that promotes clean energy can do that while Source: Clean Energy Council also assisting Australia's economic recovery from COVID-19. ALP needs climate vision "The ALP's proposal is a good starting point," 24 June said Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, The Climate Council is disappointed that Kane Thornton. Federal Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has failed to provide leadership on climate "Failed attempts to agree on a national change. emissions reduction policy has resulted in a deep divide that now, more than ever, must “The job of an opposition is to hold the come to an end as our economy gets back on government accountable. It is also Mr its feet. We are encouraged by the ALP's Albanese’s job to push forward ideas, but that recognition of the vital roles that the didn’t happen at the Press Club this Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the afternoon,” said Climate Council CEO Amanda Clean Energy Finance Corporation will McKenzie. continue to play in building Australia's innovation advantage. “Supporting carbon capture and storage is nuts. This is expensive, unproven technology "The Technology Roadmap currently being designed to prolong the life of polluting fossil developed by the Federal Government has the fuels,” she said. potential to be an important first step in restoring confidence and bipartisanship in “Australia has recently endured catastrophic energy policy in Australia. Of course, a bushfires and widespread bleaching of the roadmap that ignores commercial realities Great Barrier Reef. On Saturday, and the enormous investment appetite for temperatures reached 38 degrees in the renewable energy by prioritising fossil-fuel Arctic. The economic shocks from climate technologies that are not investable would be change will get worse and worse. More than a waste of time and taxpayer money and a ever we need vision for our future and action distraction from the energy transition." on climate change. We need our Federal leaders to do much better,” said Ms Thornton continued by saying that it was in McKenzie. the national interest that the two major parties accept that mistakes have been made Source: Climate Council

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Optimising renewable energy round to deploy 8 stand-alone self-forecasting trials at solar farms in the NEM to combine output through weather real-time solar farm data and sky-imagers to forecasting generate short-term power output 24 June predictions of 5 minutes or less. An innovative live demonstration of gridded, automatic renewable generation forecasts in Solcast will utilise a range of data sets and South Australia (SA) is set to lead the way for data streams, including historical surface a national roll-out of next generation energy meteorological measurement data and wind forecasting. and solar farm weather data, to develop high quality forecasts. These forecasts will be On behalf of the Australian Government, the shared via project partners, Weatherzone and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) TESLA Asia Pacific, to be assessed and used by has today announced $994,685 in funding to the Australian Energy Market Operator Solcast to conduct its Gridded Renewables (AEMO), the local distribution network Nowcasting Demonstration project. operator (SA Power Networks), and generator asset operators. Solcast aims to enhance existing weather forecast services by developing a proof of This initiative aims to provide the energy concept demonstration of a forecasting tool industry with enhanced situational awareness which will track and predict renewable output and more precise forecasts to support the in real time. Solcast’s forecasting tool will aim management of the grid. As part of its to predict up to six hours ahead in five-minute commitment and support of the project, increments, distributed into 1-2km grids AEMO will undertake a key role in testing and across SA. The 12-month project will deliver verifying the project outputs. more frequently updated, high resolution weather forecasts specifically designed for the ARENA CEO Darren Miller said Solcast’s Australian energy industry. project by improving accuracy of forecasts could help solar and wind farms, networks as Solcast will track the real-time evolution of well as the grid overall. weather systems over SA and forecast the positions and characteristics of cloud cover, as “Renewable generation forecasts, particularly well as improve predictions of wind-speeds at in the intraday time-frame, are critical for the wind turbine nacelles (above ground) effective management of the electricity enabling energy generation to be forecast system with growing shares of large-scale with greater accuracy. The forecasts will also variable renewable energy, energy storage, focus on six hour ahead forecasting to provide distributed energy resources and emerging more accurate information for grid operation demand management capability which are at and enhanced management of generation, the front and centre of innovation in the energy storage, and demand response. energy industry. If Solcast’s Nowcasting project delivers positive results for South Formed in 2016, Solcast is an Australian-based Australia, we could see it rolled out to the rest company made up of meteorologists, data of the National Electricity Market as we see scientists and engineers. Now with offices in growing renewable energy generation in Sydney, Canberra and Glasgow, Solcast other states and territories,” Mr Miller said. provides data and modelling tools for solar power systems with 6000 users across the “South Australia now leads the world with its world. dependency on renewable energy generation, particularly rooftop solar,” says Dr. Nick Solcast previously received ARENA funding as Engerer, Chief Technology Officer at Solcast. part of the $9 million short term forecasting

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“Through this project, we’ll ensure it does the “The completion of construction at same with weather forecasting technology.” Moorabool North and the first turbine erected at Moorabool South marks the next step AEMO’s acting Chief Operations Officer forward in this important Victorian project.” Matthew Clemow said that AEMO looks forward to supporting the project and working with “The commencement of wind turbine Solcast on this highly innovative initiative. installations at Moorabool South provides another wave of local and regional economic “Situational awareness and operational and employment opportunities including up forecasting are critical functions for AEMO as the to 150 jobs during peak construction periods. generation fleet becomes increasingly weather dependent. We are confident that through this “When operational, Moorabool Wind Farm initiative, Solcast, backed by ARENA, will provide will see the direct employment of up to 20 enhanced forecasting products and services to permanent full-time maintenance roles,” said support our role in shaping a better energy future Mr Titchen. for all Australians.” Once operational, the Moorabool Wind Farm Source: ARENA will produce enough clean, emission-free energy to power approximately 203,500 Victorian homes. Moorabool Wind Farm reaches Installation of turbines at Moorabool South is significant milestones scheduled for completion later this year. 24 June Goldwind Australia today announced two Source: Goldwind Australia significant milestones at Moorabool Wind Farm, located approximately 25 kilometres south-east of Ballarat in Victoria. PROJECT NEWS Western Victoria Transmission The 312 MW 104-wind turbine project, one of the largest wind farms in Victoria is separated Network Project into two sections, North and South. AusNet Transmission Group is seeking development approvals for its Western Construction has now completed on the 50- Victoria Transmission Network Project in turbine Moorabool North section, and the Victoria. The project involves the construction commissioning phase of turbines is scheduled of approximately 190km of transmission line, to commence shortly that will see the wind including a double-circuit 500kV line on farm connected to the Victorian electricity towers between a new North Sydenham grid. Terminal Station and a new terminal station to the north of Ballarat, and a 220kV line on The 54-turbine Moorabool South section has towers from the new terminal station north of also recently seen the first wind turbine Ballarat that runs in an east west direction to erected. Waubra and Bulgana. It will unlock renewable energy resources in western Victoria, helping The Managing Director of Goldwind Australia, to deliver affordable, clean energy to John Titchen, said these milestones were a Victorians, help diversify the energy supply significant step towards more reliable, mix to the market, facilitate energy projects sustainable, and affordable energy for that support Victoria’s renewable energy Victorians as well as providing local and targets and create jobs across the life of the regional economic and employment Project. opportunities.

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Australian Energy Council “Electricity generators, as major carbon emitters, have long recognised their key role backs net zero emissions by in Australia reducing its emissions. As a result 2050 we have seen greenhouse gas emissions in the 25 June National Electricity Market fall by around 20 The Australian Energy Council has today per cent over the past decade. We anticipate endorsed an economy-wide net zero emissions will continue to fall as we continue emissions by 2050 target for Australia. the transition.

The Australian Energy Council’s Chief “The net zero economy-wide target does not Executive, Sarah McNamara, said that the imply that electricity emissions must Council supported the Paris Agreement and necessarily fall to zero by 2050. Depending on recognised the need for developed countries technological developments, it may prove to transition to net zero emissions by 2050 to cost-effective to have a small level of help achieve the Agreement’s temperature emissions offset by carbon sinks elsewhere.” goals. “But our efforts need to be broader and a net “The first step to reducing carbon emissions is zero emissions target across the economy we agreement on a long-term target which can believe is the best way forward to deliver the act as the starting point for constructive Paris temperature goals at the lowest consensus. economic and social cost.

“Settling on an economy-wide target will let “Many state governments, corporations and us then decide the best ways to get there and sector associations support a move to long- what policy and mechanisms could be term carbon targets and today we add our applied,” Ms McNamara said. voice to that objective,” Ms McNamara said.

“Our members have long accepted the Source: Australian Energy Council science of climate change and the need to decarbonise the economy. In that regard we have consistently argued for well-designed, Townsville home to NQ’s first market-based, and stable national policy settings around which our members can renewable hydrogen plant invest. 25 June Townsville’s Sun Metals Zinc Refinery will “Australians want action on climate change as build North Queensland’s first renewable well as affordable, reliable energy and that hydrogen facility thanks to a $5 million grant will continue to require adoption of new from the Palaszczuk Government. technologies and investment. State Development Minister Kate Jones said “Technology will be a key part of the broader Sun Metals would build the new facility at its transition towards net zero emissions with zinc processing plant after being offered a increased electrification of parts of the grant from the $15 million Hydrogen Industry economy, which will also help develop new Development Fund (HIDF). jobs and opportunities for Australia. “Hydrogen has huge potential to pump “For that reason, the Federal Government’s millions of dollars into our economy and efforts in supporting transformational create jobs for workers in Townsville,” Ms technologies is a positive and welcome Jones said. development that can help us reach a consensus on a long-term objective.

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Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke based in Townsville that we hope in the long- said investments in new industries were term will create export opportunities.” essential to creating jobs as Queensland recovers. “The hydrogen project is part of Sun Metals’ long-term plans for a totally integrated “We know that to help our economy recover operation including our zinc refinery, solar from COVID-19, we must invest in growth farm and other operations at Stuart,” Mr Park industries that will support local jobs,” Mrs said. O’Rourke said. State Development Minister Kate Jones said “This grant will help Sun Metals develop the the $15 million Hydrogen Industry first renewable hydrogen facility in North Development Fund had attracted 23 Queensland’s history. expressions of interest, reflecting the significant opportunity for renewable “The project will establish the region’s first hydrogen in Queensland. renewable hydrogen supply chain and depending on the final scale, will deliver more “The fund is ensuring that Queensland is than 25 local jobs during construction and 12 leading the way in renewable hydrogen ongoing jobs once it’s up and running.” development in Australia,” she said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart and the “That’s why last year we released the city’s “Hydrogen Industry Champion” said to Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy 2019- have the city moving on hydrogen early 2024 to help position Queensland at the showed great promise for North Queensland. forefront of renewable hydrogen production in Australia by 2030.” “The work being done here in Townsville will give us critical information about the “The Queensland Government has committed integration of renewable hydrogen for to transition to a clean energy future and we different applications – like the use of the are pleased to be supporting regional projects renewable for heavy vehicles,” he said. that promote innovation, deliver economic growth and highly skilled jobs for Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said Queenslanders.” hydrogen was an exciting new potential industry that could create jobs now and in the Source: Queensland Government future.

“Hydrogen has huge potential in the future Grid connection agreement and Townsville and North Queensland is well placed to service the emerging industry,” he signed for New England Solar said. Farm

25 June Sun Metals’ CEO Kiwon Park thanked the The grid connection agreement for the New Palaszczuk Government for its support. England Solar Farm has been completed with

Transgrid, the operator of the electricity “Sun Metals is delighted to start its hydrogen transmission network in NSW. journey with the support of the Queensland

Government,” he said. The agreement is an important step that will

allow the 720 MW solar farm to connect and “This first phase of our hydrogen project will supply power into the NSW electricity grid only be the beginning of developing a and traded in the National Electricity Market. substantial renewables hydrogen industry

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Design work on the transmission substation to SA utilities adapt to overcome be constructed as part of the approved development will begin soon, allowing the COVID risks to major solar project to connect to the existing 330kV project and keep economy powerlines that cross the solar farm site. moving The New England Solar Farm will be built 25 June across two solar fields about six kilometres Two of South Australia’s largest essential east of Uralla. Depending on the final installed service businesses in water and electricity, SA capacity, the solar farm will produce around Water and ElectraNet, have worked together 1,800,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean in the face of COVID-19 to keep SA Water’s electricity each year – enough to power more industry-leading renewable energy project on than 250,000 typical NSW homes. schedule.

We are also proposing to install a Battery As part of the water utility’s green energy Energy Storage System (BESS) capable of project installing more than 500,000 solar dispatching energy to the grid at times of high photovoltaic (PV) panels at 35 metropolitan energy demand. Under the proposal, the BESS and regional sites, ElectraNet has been would be constructed in stages, starting with contracted to complete six large-scale a 50MWh system up to a maximum size of substation upgrades to allow surplus energy 400MWh. generated by SA Water to be supplied into the National Electricity Market. The solar farm project will be constructed in stages over 36 months. It will generate up to SA Water’s zero cost energy future initiative 500 jobs during peak construction and up to will see 242 GWh of new solar generation an additional 200 jobs if the battery system is integrated within its network to run energy- installed. It will also generate 10-15 ongoing intensive infrastructure, and has already jobs. resulted in 147,000 solar panels located at sites like the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment The project received approval from the NSW Plant, Adelaide Desalination Plant and Independent Planning Commission in March Christies Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. 2020. Work has been continuing to complete the required management plans, project SA Water’s Senior Manager Zero Cost Energy finance and the appointment of the main Future Nicola Murphy said both businesses construction contractor. readily adapted to the everchanging situation to help reduce potential risks to the project’s We plan to start work on the road upgrades construction target. for the project later this year, with the upgrades to be completed prior to work “During these challenging times, it’s starting on the solar farm site. important that we carry-on where possible with projects to improve our operations while Source: UPC/AC Renewables also supporting the state’s economy by keeping our partners and the supply chain working,” Nicola said.

“While this is not without its challenges, together with ElectraNet we applied new ways of working to uphold strict social distancing and hygiene standards, including the adoption of virtual meetings and reducing personnel numbers on site when completing and confirming isolations.”

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One of the project’s larger solar arrays is at you have a strong commitment to safety and the 358 kilometre Morgan to Whyalla problem solving from all parties involved, Pipeline’s third pump station, where around these challenges can be overcome,” Ashley 19,000 panels will produce more than 14 said. gigawatt hours (GWh) and will connect to ElectraNet’s existing substation on the 132 “The project is quite complex with connection kilovolt network. activities across multiple sites. Each site has presented its own unique challenges, which “With both SA Water and ElectraNet using has meant effective and proactive locally-based company Enerven to undertake communication between ElectraNet, SA the works with the same project management Water and its contractors has been essential. and delivery team, we have gained efficiencies and streamlined health and safety “Given the tight project timeframes, an processes by reducing the rotation of accelerated delivery model was applied that different people through work sites,” Nicola involved working closely with SA Water to said. identify and manage the project’s risks and opportunities. “We also acquired many solar PV panels and critical plant, including circuit breakers, “We value our working relationship with SA current transformers and protection relays, to Water and helping them deliver their green complete the installation and substation project is enhancing our relationship and upgrade more than forty weeks ago, meaning ensuring the electricity network plays its most of the essential equipment was either important role in supporting the delivery of on-site or in transit before COVID-19 water supplies to South Australians.” measures came into place. Ms Murphy said the project was now in a “This has helped avoid potential time, cost strong position as COVID-19 related and skilled resource availability impacts of restrictions begin to ease. mobilising, de-mobilising and re-mobilising to sites, while still delivering positive flow-on “Maintaining progress during the peak of the effects to both our businesses and the wider restrictions has held us in good stead and was South Australian economy. so important – avoiding potential scrambles to recover lost time and regroup the highly “This initiative is a clear demonstration of skilled construction and delivery workforce both SA Water and ElectraNet leading the way that could have dispersed if they weren’t kept with the smarts and skills to strategically in work.” deliver a green energy project of this size, while adapting flexibly in the everchanging Two of South Australia’s largest utilities, and difficult situation we continue to face.” ElectraNet owns and manages South Australia's 5,600 kilometre high voltage ElectraNet’s Group Executive Corporate transmission network, with SA Water Development Ashley Manna said a strong and providing clean, safe drinking water and collaborative commitment by all towards wastewater services to 1.7 million customers. health and safety, and resolving project challenges, has ensured works continue. Source: SA Water

“COVID-19 has presented a number of challenges to the project’s delivery, but when

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