Australian Federal Government Archives - Renew Economy

Policy & Planning

Solar recycling could lose its silver lining, expert tells inquiry, as case for mandatory fee stacks up
As solar module makers use fewer valuable materials to get prices down, questions arise about the impact on recycling. But industry says this is a problem that can be solved with a mandatory fee.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 7, 2026

2
Policy & Planning

Australia pledges $13 million to help Pacific nations quit diesel, switch to renewables and electrify
Australia dedicates $13 million to help Pacific nations to electrify and transition to renewables as countries across the region race to switch from costly and polluting fossil fuel imports.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 6, 2026

5
Policy & Planning

“A lot of unknowns:” Why states may go their own way in “balkanisation” of Australia’s main grid
Individual states may choose their own path on reliability and market design details as consultation on regulatory reforms continue, says one energy expert.
Peter Hannam

Sep 16, 2026

0
Solar

Three months and still no sign of life, but government says it is “committed” to solar recycling pilot
Environment minister wants to see the solar recycling pilot start “as soon as possible.” But industry warns it is losing momentum and will wither away if delays continue.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 31, 2026

1
Policy & Planning

Can EVs help get more out of the grid, for less? Two new grant winners hope to show the way
New federal government grant package backs 14 projects to get more renewables on the grid, co-opt EVs, make more of existing networks, and unblock bottlenecks.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 22, 2026

1
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
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

0
Policy & Planning

“The private market cannot deliver:” Unions want government to build low cost green power for big industry
A government-owned power company that can sell electricity for 44 per cent less than market price is one answer to problems faced by heavy industry.
Rachel Williamson

Jun 3, 2026

6
Renewables

Can’t recycle solar? This local business is making millions from copper, aluminium sales
Dan Tehan set a small but growing industry offside by saying it doesn’t exist, and one business founder is on a campaign to prove it does – and is making money.
Rachel Williamson

Apr 28, 2026

5
Policy & Planning

Queensland LNP want oil and gas project fast-tracked, even as it erects stop sign for wind and solar
Queensland is launching a last ditch fight against the EPBC reforms as it tries to shoehorn its new oil and gas project into the fast track assessment pathway.
Rachel Williamson

Apr 14, 2026

7
Policy & Planning

Australia has a major climate disinformation problem – and fixing it will take a huge effort
Senate inquiry wants more funding for climate research and digital literacy to address scare campaigns, and wants more studies on health impacts of wind turbines.
Rachel Williamson

Mar 25, 2026

12
Policy & Planning

New demand, new renewables: Industry calls on data centres to BYO solar, wind and storage
Coalition of energy industry bodies, unions and NGOs says data centres are welcome on Australian grids, but only if “new demand brings new renewables with it.”
Rachel Williamson

Feb 26, 2026

1