Rachel Williamson, Author at Renew Economy

Rachel Williamson

Contributor

Rachel Williamson is a science and business journalist, who focuses on climate change-related health and environmental issues.

Solar

Australia’s solar PV recycling plans on hold after flagship pilot project suspended
Flagship pilot program to set up 100 sites around the country to collect used solar PV panels has been suspended, with no word on when it might resume.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 17, 2026

3
Battery

“We request Manchurian Pear trees:” NSW battery project approved after unusual request
A newly approved big battery project faced just one, detailed objection, and it was able to meet many of the requests.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 16, 2026

5
Coal

“This is waste-washing:” Waste-to-energy projects called out for being dirtier than coal
Waste-to-energy incinerators should not be called clean, renewable, or low emission because they are as dirty, or even dirtier, than coal generators, a new report says.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 16, 2026

2
Policy & Planning

Renewables sector learning from messy failures after oil company collapses with $200m clean up bill
Another oil and gas company collapse raises new concerns about who picks up massive clean up costs of decommissioned fields, and the renewables industry is watching closely.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 15, 2026

2
Coal

Hunter Valley collieries to be greened-up as clean industrial hubs in “post mining land transformation”
State and federal governments aim for 7,000 green and industrial jobs under new master plans for shuttered Hunter Valley coal mines.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 14, 2026

0
Renewables

Wind project with an 8-hour battery hybrid looks for final green light after speeding through state approvals
A new wind-battery hybrid project speeded through state approvals, now it needs one more nod, and a grid connection, to start construction next year.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 14, 2026

0
Wind

Andrew Forrest’s Squadron Energy unveils another big wind project near crowded renewable zone
Squadron’s latest wind project located just outside of crowded renewable zone, and will seek to plug into existing network.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 13, 2026

0
Wind

“We can save at least 20 pct:” Developers rethink how they build giant wind projects
Developers say splitting up EPC contracts for giant wind projects is saving money and lowering risk.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 13, 2026

0
Wind

Offshore wind developers pray for bipartisan support ahead of key state election
Victoria’s offshore wind developers are much more optimistic than they were a year ago, but the looming state election could throw a spanner in the works.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 10, 2026

7
Utilities

Still a rip off? Some energy retailers have slashed GreenPower rates, others haven’t bothered
The black box of a federal consumer renewable energy scheme raises questions over whether it’s value for money.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 9, 2026

2
Wind

Renewables head off grid, but wind farms last longer than many mines, and that’s a problem
WA’s shallow energy market leads some developers to look to miners to backstop demand, but this idea hits a hurdle when mine lives are shorter than wind turbines.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 8, 2026

3
Wind

No more “bragawatts:” Some investors not convinced that bigger is better for wind projects
Fewer investors, more demand, and huge projects are changing how financiers grade different wind options for funding.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 8, 2026

0