Latest news with #PennySharpe
The Advertiser
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Sun sets on another state's solar home battery rebate
The scrapping of a $2500 solar panel sweetener has been defended by a state energy minister after critics labelled the move a "slap in the face". As a federal battery subsidy kicks in on July 1, NSW will replace its home battery installation rebate with a smaller incentive to create more virtual power plants. The move comes as other states power down their own battery incentives. Virtual power plants connect solar-powered batteries owned by households and small businesses to the grid, allowing owners to generate ongoing revenue by selling the excess energy stored in their battery when demand is high. The NSW government argues households and businesses will benefit by stacking the new scheme - worth up to $1500 - on top of the federal program, which slashes up-front costs by about 30 per cent. "The real value of virtual power plants is that we don't waste energy that's in the batteries," NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe told AAP on Thursday. But renewable energy advocacy group Solar Citizens said ditching the state battery subsidy on June 30 was a "slap in the face" for solar panel owners. They were promised up to $2500 in addition to the federal program if they invested in a home battery. "This surprise decision is a blow to solar-home owners planning to buy a home battery in coming months," the group's chief executive Heidi Lee Douglas said. She described the rebate's removal as a "betrayal" of the Labor government's election promise of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries program, which can be topped up with state rebates. "We designed the Cheaper Home Batteries program to be stackable with state incentives, and it is," a spokesperson for Energy Minister Chris Bowen told AAP. The $2.3 billion federal government scheme will subsidise the up-front cost of installing eligible small-scale battery by about 30 per cent from July 1. In Western Australia, solar battery customers are still able to receive both federal and state battery subsidies starting from July. But NSW follows other states turfing battery sweeteners. Victoria ended an interest-free solar battery loan worth $8800 in May while Queensland closed its $4000 battery rebate in December. Australia has the highest take-up of rooftop solar in the world, with panels on more than two million homes providing about 13 per cent of electricity needs for the national grid in the past year. The nation could slash $4 billion a year off power bills by the end of the decade if households embrace solar batteries in larger numbers, a Climate Council report found. The scrapping of a $2500 solar panel sweetener has been defended by a state energy minister after critics labelled the move a "slap in the face". As a federal battery subsidy kicks in on July 1, NSW will replace its home battery installation rebate with a smaller incentive to create more virtual power plants. The move comes as other states power down their own battery incentives. Virtual power plants connect solar-powered batteries owned by households and small businesses to the grid, allowing owners to generate ongoing revenue by selling the excess energy stored in their battery when demand is high. The NSW government argues households and businesses will benefit by stacking the new scheme - worth up to $1500 - on top of the federal program, which slashes up-front costs by about 30 per cent. "The real value of virtual power plants is that we don't waste energy that's in the batteries," NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe told AAP on Thursday. But renewable energy advocacy group Solar Citizens said ditching the state battery subsidy on June 30 was a "slap in the face" for solar panel owners. They were promised up to $2500 in addition to the federal program if they invested in a home battery. "This surprise decision is a blow to solar-home owners planning to buy a home battery in coming months," the group's chief executive Heidi Lee Douglas said. She described the rebate's removal as a "betrayal" of the Labor government's election promise of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries program, which can be topped up with state rebates. "We designed the Cheaper Home Batteries program to be stackable with state incentives, and it is," a spokesperson for Energy Minister Chris Bowen told AAP. The $2.3 billion federal government scheme will subsidise the up-front cost of installing eligible small-scale battery by about 30 per cent from July 1. In Western Australia, solar battery customers are still able to receive both federal and state battery subsidies starting from July. But NSW follows other states turfing battery sweeteners. Victoria ended an interest-free solar battery loan worth $8800 in May while Queensland closed its $4000 battery rebate in December. Australia has the highest take-up of rooftop solar in the world, with panels on more than two million homes providing about 13 per cent of electricity needs for the national grid in the past year. The nation could slash $4 billion a year off power bills by the end of the decade if households embrace solar batteries in larger numbers, a Climate Council report found. The scrapping of a $2500 solar panel sweetener has been defended by a state energy minister after critics labelled the move a "slap in the face". As a federal battery subsidy kicks in on July 1, NSW will replace its home battery installation rebate with a smaller incentive to create more virtual power plants. The move comes as other states power down their own battery incentives. Virtual power plants connect solar-powered batteries owned by households and small businesses to the grid, allowing owners to generate ongoing revenue by selling the excess energy stored in their battery when demand is high. The NSW government argues households and businesses will benefit by stacking the new scheme - worth up to $1500 - on top of the federal program, which slashes up-front costs by about 30 per cent. "The real value of virtual power plants is that we don't waste energy that's in the batteries," NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe told AAP on Thursday. But renewable energy advocacy group Solar Citizens said ditching the state battery subsidy on June 30 was a "slap in the face" for solar panel owners. They were promised up to $2500 in addition to the federal program if they invested in a home battery. "This surprise decision is a blow to solar-home owners planning to buy a home battery in coming months," the group's chief executive Heidi Lee Douglas said. She described the rebate's removal as a "betrayal" of the Labor government's election promise of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries program, which can be topped up with state rebates. "We designed the Cheaper Home Batteries program to be stackable with state incentives, and it is," a spokesperson for Energy Minister Chris Bowen told AAP. The $2.3 billion federal government scheme will subsidise the up-front cost of installing eligible small-scale battery by about 30 per cent from July 1. In Western Australia, solar battery customers are still able to receive both federal and state battery subsidies starting from July. But NSW follows other states turfing battery sweeteners. Victoria ended an interest-free solar battery loan worth $8800 in May while Queensland closed its $4000 battery rebate in December. Australia has the highest take-up of rooftop solar in the world, with panels on more than two million homes providing about 13 per cent of electricity needs for the national grid in the past year. The nation could slash $4 billion a year off power bills by the end of the decade if households embrace solar batteries in larger numbers, a Climate Council report found. The scrapping of a $2500 solar panel sweetener has been defended by a state energy minister after critics labelled the move a "slap in the face". As a federal battery subsidy kicks in on July 1, NSW will replace its home battery installation rebate with a smaller incentive to create more virtual power plants. The move comes as other states power down their own battery incentives. Virtual power plants connect solar-powered batteries owned by households and small businesses to the grid, allowing owners to generate ongoing revenue by selling the excess energy stored in their battery when demand is high. The NSW government argues households and businesses will benefit by stacking the new scheme - worth up to $1500 - on top of the federal program, which slashes up-front costs by about 30 per cent. "The real value of virtual power plants is that we don't waste energy that's in the batteries," NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe told AAP on Thursday. But renewable energy advocacy group Solar Citizens said ditching the state battery subsidy on June 30 was a "slap in the face" for solar panel owners. They were promised up to $2500 in addition to the federal program if they invested in a home battery. "This surprise decision is a blow to solar-home owners planning to buy a home battery in coming months," the group's chief executive Heidi Lee Douglas said. She described the rebate's removal as a "betrayal" of the Labor government's election promise of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries program, which can be topped up with state rebates. "We designed the Cheaper Home Batteries program to be stackable with state incentives, and it is," a spokesperson for Energy Minister Chris Bowen told AAP. The $2.3 billion federal government scheme will subsidise the up-front cost of installing eligible small-scale battery by about 30 per cent from July 1. In Western Australia, solar battery customers are still able to receive both federal and state battery subsidies starting from July. But NSW follows other states turfing battery sweeteners. Victoria ended an interest-free solar battery loan worth $8800 in May while Queensland closed its $4000 battery rebate in December. Australia has the highest take-up of rooftop solar in the world, with panels on more than two million homes providing about 13 per cent of electricity needs for the national grid in the past year. The nation could slash $4 billion a year off power bills by the end of the decade if households embrace solar batteries in larger numbers, a Climate Council report found.
West Australian
12-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Sun sets on another state's solar home battery rebate
The scrapping of a $2500 solar panel sweetener has been defended by a state energy minister after critics labelled the move a "slap in the face". As a federal battery subsidy kicks in on July 1, NSW will replace its home battery installation rebate with a smaller incentive to create more virtual power plants. The move comes as other states power down their own battery incentives. Virtual power plants connect solar-powered batteries owned by households and small businesses to the grid, allowing owners to generate ongoing revenue by selling the excess energy stored in their battery when demand is high. The NSW government argues households and businesses will benefit by stacking the new scheme - worth up to $1500 - on top of the federal program, which slashes up-front costs by about 30 per cent. "The real value of virtual power plants is that we don't waste energy that's in the batteries," NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe told AAP on Thursday. But renewable energy advocacy group Solar Citizens said ditching the state battery subsidy on June 30 was a "slap in the face" for solar panel owners. They were promised up to $2500 in addition to the federal program if they invested in a home battery. "This surprise decision is a blow to solar-home owners planning to buy a home battery in coming months," the group's chief executive Heidi Lee Douglas said. She described the rebate's removal as a "betrayal" of the Labor government's election promise of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries program, which can be topped up with state rebates. "We designed the Cheaper Home Batteries program to be stackable with state incentives, and it is," a spokesperson for Energy Minister Chris Bowen told AAP. The $2.3 billion federal government scheme will subsidise the up-front cost of installing eligible small-scale battery by about 30 per cent from July 1. In Western Australia, solar battery customers are still able to receive both federal and state battery subsidies starting from July. But NSW follows other states turfing battery sweeteners. Victoria ended an interest-free solar battery loan worth $8800 in May while Queensland closed its $4000 battery rebate in December. Australia has the highest take-up of rooftop solar in the world, with panels on more than two million homes providing about 13 per cent of electricity needs for the national grid in the past year. The nation could slash $4 billion a year off power bills by the end of the decade if households embrace solar batteries in larger numbers, a Climate Council report found.
Perth Now
12-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Sun sets on another state's solar home battery rebate
The scrapping of a $2500 solar panel sweetener has been defended by a state energy minister after critics labelled the move a "slap in the face". As a federal battery subsidy kicks in on July 1, NSW will replace its home battery installation rebate with a smaller incentive to create more virtual power plants. The move comes as other states power down their own battery incentives. Virtual power plants connect solar-powered batteries owned by households and small businesses to the grid, allowing owners to generate ongoing revenue by selling the excess energy stored in their battery when demand is high. The NSW government argues households and businesses will benefit by stacking the new scheme - worth up to $1500 - on top of the federal program, which slashes up-front costs by about 30 per cent. "The real value of virtual power plants is that we don't waste energy that's in the batteries," NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe told AAP on Thursday. But renewable energy advocacy group Solar Citizens said ditching the state battery subsidy on June 30 was a "slap in the face" for solar panel owners. They were promised up to $2500 in addition to the federal program if they invested in a home battery. "This surprise decision is a blow to solar-home owners planning to buy a home battery in coming months," the group's chief executive Heidi Lee Douglas said. She described the rebate's removal as a "betrayal" of the Labor government's election promise of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries program, which can be topped up with state rebates. "We designed the Cheaper Home Batteries program to be stackable with state incentives, and it is," a spokesperson for Energy Minister Chris Bowen told AAP. The $2.3 billion federal government scheme will subsidise the up-front cost of installing eligible small-scale battery by about 30 per cent from July 1. In Western Australia, solar battery customers are still able to receive both federal and state battery subsidies starting from July. But NSW follows other states turfing battery sweeteners. Victoria ended an interest-free solar battery loan worth $8800 in May while Queensland closed its $4000 battery rebate in December. Australia has the highest take-up of rooftop solar in the world, with panels on more than two million homes providing about 13 per cent of electricity needs for the national grid in the past year. The nation could slash $4 billion a year off power bills by the end of the decade if households embrace solar batteries in larger numbers, a Climate Council report found.
The Advertiser
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
$115.5m for Newcastle Logistics Precinct at Mayfield
The state government will allocate $115.5 million to build a new logistics precinct at Mayfield to support the rollout of renewable energy infrastructure across the state. The investment, contained in this month's state budget, will see the 52-hectare precinct developed next to the Port of Newcastle, at the former BHP Steelwork's Intertrade Site. It will provide portside storage for equipment, including wind turbines and transformers, that is needed to build renewable energy projects. Equipment will be stored on a newly paved laydown area before being loaded onto heavy vehicles. It will then be transported to energy projects using the state road network, sections of which are being upgraded to deal with these heavy vehicle movements. "The Newcastle Logistics Precinct will enable the investment underpinning our once-in-a-generation upgrade of the energy system," Minister for Energy and Climate Change Penny Sharpe said. "With solar and wind projects being developed across the state, there'll be many large components arriving at the Port of Newcastle - and they need to be safely stored before they can be moved to renewable energy zones." The logistics precinct investment delivers on the government's commitment to ensure the build-out of the renewable energy zones has the infrastructure it needs. EnergyCo is working closely with the Port of Newcastle on the development, which will streamline delivery and strengthen the supply chain between the Port and the renewable energy zones. The precinct is one of several projects being delivered in the Hunter region as part of the transformation of the electricity system. Others include the Port to REZ road upgrades, Hunter Transmission Project and the Hunter Central Coast REZ, which will deliver clean energy, create jobs and drive long-term economic growth. The redevelopment also recognises the heritage features of the site and will protect the Newcastle Steelworks Memorial, which adjoins the site. Some buildings on the site are being nominated for heritage recognition. The Precinct is subject to planning and environmental approvals and will include an Environmental Impact Statement and a public exhibition period. Former mining magnate Nathan Tinkler famously proposed to build an undercover coal loader on the land in 2011. The former Coalition government also knocked back a Port of Newcastle approach to acquire the land as part of its container terminal plans in 2020. Instead, it called for expressions of interest in its future use in early 2022. It was suggested the land could be used for advanced manufacturing, clean technology and energy, or for the defence industry. The Minns government put the potential sale on hold when it came into office The state government will allocate $115.5 million to build a new logistics precinct at Mayfield to support the rollout of renewable energy infrastructure across the state. The investment, contained in this month's state budget, will see the 52-hectare precinct developed next to the Port of Newcastle, at the former BHP Steelwork's Intertrade Site. It will provide portside storage for equipment, including wind turbines and transformers, that is needed to build renewable energy projects. Equipment will be stored on a newly paved laydown area before being loaded onto heavy vehicles. It will then be transported to energy projects using the state road network, sections of which are being upgraded to deal with these heavy vehicle movements. "The Newcastle Logistics Precinct will enable the investment underpinning our once-in-a-generation upgrade of the energy system," Minister for Energy and Climate Change Penny Sharpe said. "With solar and wind projects being developed across the state, there'll be many large components arriving at the Port of Newcastle - and they need to be safely stored before they can be moved to renewable energy zones." The logistics precinct investment delivers on the government's commitment to ensure the build-out of the renewable energy zones has the infrastructure it needs. EnergyCo is working closely with the Port of Newcastle on the development, which will streamline delivery and strengthen the supply chain between the Port and the renewable energy zones. The precinct is one of several projects being delivered in the Hunter region as part of the transformation of the electricity system. Others include the Port to REZ road upgrades, Hunter Transmission Project and the Hunter Central Coast REZ, which will deliver clean energy, create jobs and drive long-term economic growth. The redevelopment also recognises the heritage features of the site and will protect the Newcastle Steelworks Memorial, which adjoins the site. Some buildings on the site are being nominated for heritage recognition. The Precinct is subject to planning and environmental approvals and will include an Environmental Impact Statement and a public exhibition period. Former mining magnate Nathan Tinkler famously proposed to build an undercover coal loader on the land in 2011. The former Coalition government also knocked back a Port of Newcastle approach to acquire the land as part of its container terminal plans in 2020. Instead, it called for expressions of interest in its future use in early 2022. It was suggested the land could be used for advanced manufacturing, clean technology and energy, or for the defence industry. The Minns government put the potential sale on hold when it came into office The state government will allocate $115.5 million to build a new logistics precinct at Mayfield to support the rollout of renewable energy infrastructure across the state. The investment, contained in this month's state budget, will see the 52-hectare precinct developed next to the Port of Newcastle, at the former BHP Steelwork's Intertrade Site. It will provide portside storage for equipment, including wind turbines and transformers, that is needed to build renewable energy projects. Equipment will be stored on a newly paved laydown area before being loaded onto heavy vehicles. It will then be transported to energy projects using the state road network, sections of which are being upgraded to deal with these heavy vehicle movements. "The Newcastle Logistics Precinct will enable the investment underpinning our once-in-a-generation upgrade of the energy system," Minister for Energy and Climate Change Penny Sharpe said. "With solar and wind projects being developed across the state, there'll be many large components arriving at the Port of Newcastle - and they need to be safely stored before they can be moved to renewable energy zones." The logistics precinct investment delivers on the government's commitment to ensure the build-out of the renewable energy zones has the infrastructure it needs. EnergyCo is working closely with the Port of Newcastle on the development, which will streamline delivery and strengthen the supply chain between the Port and the renewable energy zones. The precinct is one of several projects being delivered in the Hunter region as part of the transformation of the electricity system. Others include the Port to REZ road upgrades, Hunter Transmission Project and the Hunter Central Coast REZ, which will deliver clean energy, create jobs and drive long-term economic growth. The redevelopment also recognises the heritage features of the site and will protect the Newcastle Steelworks Memorial, which adjoins the site. Some buildings on the site are being nominated for heritage recognition. The Precinct is subject to planning and environmental approvals and will include an Environmental Impact Statement and a public exhibition period. Former mining magnate Nathan Tinkler famously proposed to build an undercover coal loader on the land in 2011. The former Coalition government also knocked back a Port of Newcastle approach to acquire the land as part of its container terminal plans in 2020. Instead, it called for expressions of interest in its future use in early 2022. It was suggested the land could be used for advanced manufacturing, clean technology and energy, or for the defence industry. The Minns government put the potential sale on hold when it came into office The state government will allocate $115.5 million to build a new logistics precinct at Mayfield to support the rollout of renewable energy infrastructure across the state. The investment, contained in this month's state budget, will see the 52-hectare precinct developed next to the Port of Newcastle, at the former BHP Steelwork's Intertrade Site. It will provide portside storage for equipment, including wind turbines and transformers, that is needed to build renewable energy projects. Equipment will be stored on a newly paved laydown area before being loaded onto heavy vehicles. It will then be transported to energy projects using the state road network, sections of which are being upgraded to deal with these heavy vehicle movements. "The Newcastle Logistics Precinct will enable the investment underpinning our once-in-a-generation upgrade of the energy system," Minister for Energy and Climate Change Penny Sharpe said. "With solar and wind projects being developed across the state, there'll be many large components arriving at the Port of Newcastle - and they need to be safely stored before they can be moved to renewable energy zones." The logistics precinct investment delivers on the government's commitment to ensure the build-out of the renewable energy zones has the infrastructure it needs. EnergyCo is working closely with the Port of Newcastle on the development, which will streamline delivery and strengthen the supply chain between the Port and the renewable energy zones. The precinct is one of several projects being delivered in the Hunter region as part of the transformation of the electricity system. Others include the Port to REZ road upgrades, Hunter Transmission Project and the Hunter Central Coast REZ, which will deliver clean energy, create jobs and drive long-term economic growth. The redevelopment also recognises the heritage features of the site and will protect the Newcastle Steelworks Memorial, which adjoins the site. Some buildings on the site are being nominated for heritage recognition. The Precinct is subject to planning and environmental approvals and will include an Environmental Impact Statement and a public exhibition period. Former mining magnate Nathan Tinkler famously proposed to build an undercover coal loader on the land in 2011. The former Coalition government also knocked back a Port of Newcastle approach to acquire the land as part of its container terminal plans in 2020. Instead, it called for expressions of interest in its future use in early 2022. It was suggested the land could be used for advanced manufacturing, clean technology and energy, or for the defence industry. The Minns government put the potential sale on hold when it came into office
News.com.au
10-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Rio Tinto Tomago aluminium smelter in NSW reportedly close to collapse
Rio Tinto's massive Tomago aluminium smelter in NSW is reportedly close to collapse. The facility, situated in Tomago about 13km west of Newcastle, employs some 1000 workers directly, but a stoppage would hit another 5000 indirect workers across the Hunter Valley. Mining giant Rio Tinto holds a 51.6 per cent interest in the smelter, which produces about 590,000 tonnes of aluminium each year, or about 37 per cent of Australia's total production. Multiple reports suggest the company is in emergency talks with state and federal governments for a bailout. NewsWire has contacted NSW energy minister Penny Sharpe, federal energy minister Chris Bowen and the Australian Workers' Union for confirmation of the discussions. Rio Tinto declined to comment on Tuesday. The AFR first reported on the talks on Friday, citing high energy costs for the possible shutdown. Tomago is currently powered by AGL Energy's Bayswater coal fired power station, but is pivoting to renewable energy. In January, the federal government announced a $2bn production credit for aluminium businesses to transition their smelters to green energy, which Rio heralded as a vote of confidence in domestic manufacturing. 'As traditional energy sources for heavy industry become increasingly uncompetitive, today's announcement is a critical piece in helping future-proof the industry,' Rio Tinto chief executive for Australia Kellie Parker said. 'Such support is crucial for sustaining and growing regional economies. 'As global industrial customers and consumers increasingly focus on low-carbon products, this support signals Australia's potential to be a major supplier of the aluminium needed for the global energy transition.' But negotiations over a new energy contract have troubled the smelter's operations for months. The current contract with AGL is due to expire in 2028. 2GB's Ben Fordham, speaking on Tuesday, said the situation was 'not good'. 'We've got the materials, we've got the workers, we've got the smelters, but what we don't have is a working energy system,' he said. 'If it shuts, we're not just losing a smelter, we're risking 6000 jobs.' Some 90 per cent of Tomago aluminium is exported to Asia.
