Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has acquired the Gawara Baya wind and battery project in Queensland, combining 408 MW of wind with a 104 MW battery energy storage system. The project has received environmental approvals, secured energy off-take deals, and has an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Gugu Badhun Aboriginal Corporation. Windlab CEO John Martin emphasizes responsible development and working with local communities, with the project aiming to leave a positive legacy while generating renewable energy. The project's revised layout minimizes its impact on habitats and species, leaving 98% of the habitat undisturbed and focusing on sustainable development in the transition to clean energy.
Author: Reneweconomy.com
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Rooftop solar record tumbles as battery rebate drives 1 GW of new installs over just three months
In the second quarter of 2026, rooftop solar installations in Australia reached a new record of 1 gigawatt, with many systems being paired with batteries through the Cheaper Home Batteries scheme. Home battery installations also saw a record high, with over 111,000 approved batteries installed. This surge in consumer energy resources is impacting the grid by lowering wholesale prices and decreasing grid demand. Furthermore, large-scale solar investment hit a record high in the quarter, indicating a significant acceleration in the transition towards renewable energy solutions.
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Gina Rinehart’s flagship mine supplying EVs is operating at an average 93 pct renewables so far this year
Remote mining operations in Australia, such as Mt Weld, Bellevue gold mine, and Kathleen Valley mine, are achieving high levels of renewable energy integration, with some reaching between 80-90% renewables. Zenith Energy, which operates these hybrid power projects, emphasizes that these systems can maintain reliable supply in demanding environments, challenging the perception that high-renewable energy systems cannot support energy-intensive industrial operations. The success of these remote mining operations demonstrates the technical and commercial feasibility of high-renewable energy systems in Australia, broadening the discussion on what is achievable across the wider economy. Despite initial skepticism, the Mt Weld rare earths mine, owned by Lynas Rare Earths and backed by Gina Rinehart, is operating at an average of 93% renewables, exceeding expectations. The hybrid power plant at the mine combines wind, solar, battery, and diesel systems, resulting in cost savings, increased efficiency, and reduced emissions. Lynas sees future markets for its rare earths in electric vehicles, industry electrification, and wind turbines, showcasing the potential for high renewable shares in a larger grid and the promise of technologies like grid forming inverters for grid stability.
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Linking electricity and safeguards could make wind projects viable, and oblige gentailers to actually Do Something
Linking electricity to the federal government's safeguards mechanism scheme would cover over half of Australia's emissions and provide price support for renewables, incentivizing the purchase of new renewable energy certificates by gentailers. The proposal aims to bring electricity sector emissions into safeguards with a baseline of 114 million tonnes, declining 6% annually, with renewable electricity certificates eligible as compliance units. This inclusion significantly increases abatement demand, with 15 GW of new renewables expected to receive price support by 2036. The article also discusses the impact of a growing gap in the closure schedule of coal plants on prices and supply in the carbon market, highlighting potential abatement outcomes.
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“It’s not a big deal:” How these wind turbine hosts manage decommissioning and maintenance issues
Tom Gunthorpe, a farmer hosting a wind farm, emphasizes the importance of negotiating as a group to ensure fair agreements with developers. The creation of an escrow fund for quick access to funds for any issues that may arise from the wind project operation is highlighted. Gunthorpe is not concerned about decommissioning costs due to lease agreements and the likelihood of turbine refurbishment. The escrow fund, managed by an independent organization, provides off-farm income for farmers and ensures the farm can be passed down for generations despite droughts and economic challenges, ultimately securing the future for farming families.
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“Prices have doubled”: Farmers turn to wind and solar to make fertiliser, and change dialogue about renewables
Australian farmers are considering green energy options like wind and solar in response to global market impacts caused by Trump's actions. The Australian Renewables in Agriculture Conference highlighted the benefits of transitioning to renewables, with farmers looking to host wind and solar farms and produce green hydrogen and ammonia locally. Projects like the GEGHA pilot project in the Gwydir Valley are seen as a lifeline for rural communities. Additionally, initiatives like Morona's commercial scale plant to produce NH3 aim to reduce emissions in agriculture and promote the use of green hydrogen. The renewable energy project in Moree, focusing on minimal water usage, is seen as a game changer for the local community, providing opportunities to benefit from energy produced in the south-west Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and driving down costs further. Overall, these projects represent a step towards utilizing clean energy to benefit local communities and address climate change.
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New renewables pilot seeks to generate power, and financial returns, for First Nations communities
A new federal grant of $10 million will support First Nations clean energy projects, focusing on mid-size community renewables initiatives with the goal of helping up to two projects sized at 1 MW or higher move towards financial close. The pilot grant program is designed to support projects with First Nations leadership and potential for long-term financial returns, addressing challenges and creating more established processes for grid connection in community energy projects. The urgent need for climate solutions is emphasized to mitigate health and environmental risks, including the impact of rising global temperatures on the spread of diseases and frequency of extreme weather events, highlighting the importance of protecting vulnerable populations and ecosystems.
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World’s largest offshore wind farm to also feature first directly integrated grid-scale battery
Danish offshore wind energy giant Ørsted is constructing the world's largest offshore wind farm, the 2.9 GW Hornsea 3 project, with 197 wind turbines expected to be completed by 2027. The project will also include a 300 MW/600 MWh battery energy storage system named Iceni, integrated into the transmission infrastructure. Iceni will utilize Tesla batteries and the Nimbus platform by Arenko for optimization and asset management. This project represents a pioneering effort in combining significant generation capacity with utility-scale storage, addressing operational and trading challenges in the renewable energy sector.
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“We are still in early days:” World’s biggest battery buyer says costs have fallen dramatically, and have more to go
The cost of grid-scale battery storage has significantly decreased in the last 24 months, making solar and wind projects more bankable by allowing them to store excess energy. Brookfield Renewables has seen a dramatic decrease in the long-term cost of energy for batteries and aims to be a leading procurer of utility-scale energy storage equipment globally. They are actively investing in battery storage projects, with 30% of their project pipeline dedicated to batteries. Despite setbacks, Origin Energy is focusing on building battery storage while closing its coal generator. Subscribe to a clean energy newsletter for more updates on the renewable energy industry.