Sophie Vorrath, Author at Renew Economy

Sophie Vorrath

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Sophie is editor of Renew Economy and editor of its sister site, One Step Off The Grid . She is the co-host of the Solar Insiders Podcast. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.

Renewables

Coal will close to schedule, says AGL, but to build more wind we need policy certainty in return
AGL says it will stick to its dates for coal plant closure, but wants policy and regulatory certainty in return, and a tighter rein on CIS contracts.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 12, 2026

4
Policy & Planning

Plans for one of Australia’s biggest new gas plants sail through EPBC queue in just over two weeks
As wind generation proposals get stuck in EPBC limbo, plans for what could be the biggest new gas plant in Australia have been given the all-clear in just weeks.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 11, 2026

8
Policy & Planning

Race to renewables drives record year for green bank – and sends it past $100 billion milestone
The federal government’s green bank has closed the books on another record-setting year, including finance to help break Australia’s wind drought and to build the first stage of Marinus Link.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 11, 2026

0
Policy & Planning

Factories and farms will deliver the next solar boom: But watch out for PV and battery cowboys
Solar industry is still buzzing with the promise of “insane” new demand from the rebate changes. But a few warnings and caveats are starting to emerge, too.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 10, 2026

4
Storage

Independent panel approves Sydney big battery sent for review by objectors from tiny towns 800 km away
Major battery proposed for centre of Sydney gets development approval from independent panel, after being sent there by protests from far-flung regional towns and interstate.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 10, 2026

6
Policy & Planning

Australia’s first offshore wind auction is “going ahead as planned,” new energy minister confirms
Victoria’s newly appointed energy minister says the state will go ahead as planned with Australia’s first ever offshore wind auction, despite speculation of further delays.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 7, 2026

0
Renewables

Massive wind project, with up to 280 of Australia’s biggest-ever turbines, seeks federal green tick
Plans for a potentially massive new wind farm start federal environmental assessment, proposing up to 280 of the most powerful turbines seen in Australia.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 7, 2026

1
Renewables

“Second roof:” Solar glass pioneer unveils big rooftop module in time to ride wave of expanded PV subsidy
Australian solar glass and window specialist gets CEC accreditation for its new integrated solar panel, just in time for the expansion of the federal PV subsidy.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 7, 2026

0
Renewables

Three wind projects approved by state, but left in limbo by “opaque, drawn-out” federal EPBC process
Three small wind projects have been given state approval to go ahead, but two are still waiting on federal sign-off, stuck in what the developer describes as a long, drawn-out and opaque EPBC process.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 6, 2026

0
Storage

Home battery sizes shrink by half after rebate changes, but installation bonanza continues
Home battery uptake continues to grow at roughly three times the rate of when the federal rebate was first launched, but systems are “right-sizing” under the new settings. And a new milestone for WA.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 6, 2026

4
Renewables

First of dozens of 80 metre-long turbine blades arrives at first new wind farm in state’s main grid for years
Nearly five months after completing its final concrete pour, King Rocks wind farm has received safe delivery of the first of more than 50, 80 metre-long turbine blades.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 5, 2026

2
Chart of the day

Mid-winter solar records tumble around the country, with more batteries to soak it up
Large-scale solar generated record high shares of electricity in every Australian state but one over the month of July, with much less of that power curtailed than the same time last year.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 5, 2026

8