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.

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

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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

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Renewables

“They are losing patience:” Just one in 10 investors believe Australia will meet renewables target
Investors buoyed by re-election of a Labor government last year are now downbeat, citing transmission, planning and tax issues that put renewables target out of reach.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 8, 2026

6
Policy & Planning

CIS bakes in First Nations equity, revenue sharing deal for next renewables and storage tenders
Capacity in upcoming renewable and storage tenders under the CIS to be reserved for projects that lock in equity deals with First Nations groups.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 7, 2026

1
Renewables

One Nation MP sponsors petition to sink sheep farmer-led solar and battery project
Farming family wants to host solar and battery project to underpin and co-exist with farming operations, but One Nation MP says it will “ruin prime agricultural land”.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 7, 2026

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Policy & Planning

Planning meeting over solar and battery project cancelled after none of 133 objectors bothers to show up
A public meeting to hear objections to a large solar and battery project in New England was cancelled after none of those who wrote against it showed up.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 6, 2026

5
Policy & Planning

Grid access rules to be changed, but won’t penalise “advanced” projects that are ready to build
Advanced projects that are ready to build may be exempt from new changes to grid access rules, but CIS projects that have struggle to move forward will have to adapt.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 6, 2026

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Battery

Community battery rollout is way behind schedule, with only a quarter built on time
A report into the progress of the federal government’s Arena-backed community battery rollout has revealed long delays and some rising costs.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 3, 2026

3
Policy & Planning

Network seeks to charge data centres for full grid connection capacity, whether they use it or not
Transmission network pushes for rule change that would see large energy users pay for their full connection capacity to the grid whether they use all of that capacity, or not.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 3, 2026

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Policy & Planning

New tax on renewables won’t be retrospective, but will send “opposite message” to foreign investors
Controversial tax changes for foreign renewables investors have dropped one problematic aspect and kept another – “the opposite of the message we want to send,” says industry.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 2, 2026

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