Power network
WA’s challenge to keep the lights on with more solar and less coal
The Australian Energy Market Operator’s annual review of the power system serving WA’s populous south-west predicted a need for new generation from 2025 and more than 300 megawatts by 2031.
- by Peter Milne
Latest
Fracking, coal seam gas ‘not legal any time soon’, Andrews insists
The Victorian premier hit back at Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King’s suggestion that the state’s ban on fracking was a barrier to fixing the energy crisis.
- by Josh Gordon
Updated
Mark McGowan
WA-owned coal-fired power stations to close
“We’re standing at a point where to continue business as usual would lead to around $3 billion dollars of losses by the end of the decade,” Premier Mark McGowan said.
- by Peter Milne
Volatile energy market creates blackout risks in NSW, Queensland
Australia’s east-coast energy crunch continues to deepen as a blow-out in power prices in Queensland forces the market operator to step in.
- by Nick Toscano and Mike Foley
Bass Strait gas output ramps up as demand and prices soar
A pipeline has been rerouted in the Bass Strait as ExxonMobil seeks to ramp up output to meet soaring demand.
- by Nick Toscano
Grok wants AGL to serve its ‘green’ customers as coal power fizzles out
Tech tycoon Mike Cannon-Brookes’ Grok Ventures says a refreshed AGL board can profit from the utility’s solar and battery-loving customers that didn’t like its old business model.
- by Peter Milne
Exclusive
NSW budget
One-third of NSW households to access payments for solar, white goods
One-third of NSW households will have access to 10 years of upfront payments to put towards a solar system or white goods.
- by Alexandra Smith
Perth Hills residents cut off as Western Power cracks down on decrepit poles
Herne Hill resident Louise Hay was left using generators for 10 days and hit with a hefty fee after Western Power subcontractors cut off her power immediately.
- by Holly Thompson
Editorial
Electricity
Focus on renewables the only solution as energy bills continue to rise
After the shock of the doubling in petrol prices at the start of this year, many households are about to discover that their energy bills are rising too.
- The Herald's View
Herding cats with Anna Collyer to keep the nation’s lights on
There are two organisations at the heart of the complex web of governments and public and private institutions that provide our power. Anna Collyer runs them both.
- by Nick O'Malley
Alinta Energy boss wants clarity on WA coal shutdowns
The biggest private investor in WA’s power system wants to know when Collie’s coal-fired power stations will shut to give it time to invest in wind and batteries.
- by Peter Milne