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.

Policy & Planning

Stuck between price hikes and a hard place: Coalition must face up to coal exits and costly gas, experts warn
Victoria election policy briefing hears gas realities might force the state Coalition to continue the state’s renewables-first trajectory if it wins the November 28 poll.
Rachel Williamson

Nov 9, 2026

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Renewables

Cows and cyclones: New push to design solar farms for cattle and climate, but is Australia ready?
Companies are looking again at how to put more farmland under solar without disrupting operations or clashing with conditions, but is social licence pressure high enough in Australia?
Rachel Williamson

Nov 5, 2026

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Hydrogen

Low-cost green hydrogen hopeful lands fresh grant to build pilot at site of proposed offshore wind hub
Green hydrogen CSIRO spin-off wins new grant funding to build fourth pilot plant, this time next to what could be Australia’s first dedicated offshore wind port.
Rachel Williamson

Nov 5, 2026

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Renewables

Huge wind and battery project avoids turbine cuts and name change to win state approval for the West
Developer dodges having to cut 18 turbines from its 750 MW wind plans and change the project name, instead winding up with “unanimous” support for its huge project.
Rachel Williamson

Nov 5, 2026

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Policy & Planning

State approves six new wind and battery projects before going into election caretaker mode
Two wind projects and four batteries have the green light from the state, including one that has been a lightning rod for opposition from a One Nation mayor.
Rachel Williamson

Nov 4, 2026

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Renewables

“A market we like:” Australia and Japan back Kiwi solar hybrid developer with $A139m capital injection
New Zealand-owned renewables developer lands $A139 million from Australian and Japanese investors to help finance a pipeline of 28 solar and battery projects.
Rachel Williamson

Nov 3, 2026

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Renewables

“Anti-renewables populism is the largest unpriced risk:” But poll data shows support is growing, even in hot zones
Polling by Squadron Energy finds higher support than expected in western Victoria and central NSW, as renewable developers begin to use activist playbook.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 29, 2026

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Storage

Coal giant seeks green tick for another very large, four-hour battery to the north of a very small town
New battery project is competing for a sweet spot on the Queensland grid, between an “accommodation village,” a substation, and two other battery proposals.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 29, 2026

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Policy & Planning

The towns where households are earning solar credits from their neighbours’ rooftop PV systems
Six remote communities have pioneered the original solar sharer, where households earn solar credits from the rooftop PV systems of their neighbours.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 27, 2026

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Renewables

Letting data centres build first, catch up on renewables later could add $40 billion to power bills
Data centres should carry the cost of higher electricity rates if allowed to build now, and bring their own renewables later, as suggested by regulator.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 26, 2026

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Renewables

The men who fought off Fortescue have a new 4 GW Pilbara wind and solar project in the wings
A new 4 GW wind and solar project is intended to power green iron prospects in the Pilbara, and – of course – data centres.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 26, 2026

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Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency has finally become an election talking point, but for all the wrong reasons
State Liberals and mainstream media are keen to criticise Victoria’s popular energy upgrades scheme, but the watchdog says it has a handle on bad behaviour.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 23, 2026

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