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.

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

1
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

6
Renewables

Plans unveiled for gigawatt-scale data centre, powered by 6.7 GW of wind and solar, in remote Kimberley
Gingerah Energy seeks approval for a plan to build a 1 GW data centre, powered by more than 6.7 GW of wind and solar, with gas and battery backup, in Kimberley.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 22, 2026

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Renewables

Off-grid gold mine achieves 75 per cent wind and solar share – even in the middle of winter
The sun wasn’t shining brightly in the middle of winter, but its four wind turbines helped this off-grid gold mine achieve 75 pct renewable share over the quarter.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 22, 2026

4
Policy & Planning

Tiny solar project stuck between a dam and Snowy 2.0, as angry and weary locals say no more
A 4.99 MW PV project is attracting the usual fears about the visual impact in a rural area, but it’s against a backdrop of the legacies of both Snowy 1 and 2.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 21, 2026

2
Wind

Laser tech could slash grid penalties for wind farms, because their forecasts are less wrong at the right times
A study tested two wind forecast models and found that more accurate one does not mean more savings.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 20, 2026

1
Energy efficiency

Fortescue claims technology breakthrough to unlock potential of copper key to green energy transition
Andrew Forrest’s iron ore miner says a demo plant in Brisbane that strips arsenic from copper is doing so at a fraction of the energy used in other processes.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 19, 2026

3
Gas

Queensland LNP gets excited as it shortlists companies competing in its first energy tender – for fossil gas
Queensland LNP’s first major energy tender in a long time – for fossil gas generators – attracts 10 bidders with four short-listed.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 19, 2026

11
Renewables

Anti-renewables groups still spending big on Meta – and met with near silence by green energy industry
Fossil fuel interests spent $1.2 million on Meta ads in the last three months, a wall of money the renewables industry met with near silence.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 16, 2026

3
Policy & Planning

Approval sought for another huge wind and battery hybrid as state prepares to move beyond coal
Plans for a massive wind farm with 92 turbines and an up to eight-hour battery have been lodged, adding another hybrid to the list of projects lining up to replace coal.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 16, 2026

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Wind

Wind developer signs community benefit deals worth up to $160m to end stalemate over called-in projects
UK developer and local council sign community benefit deals for two projects stuck in limbo after being “called” in by he LNP state government.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 15, 2026

2