The Federal Government wants to buy a larger share of the Snowy Hydro scheme to bolster its renewable energy stores. The announcement was part of the 2017 Federal Budget handed down last night.
Energy developer RATCH Australia Corp. has announced it will begin construction of the $100 million Collinsville, Queensland solar photovoltaic (PV) farm on the site of a defunct coal-fired power station.
The budget contains a broad range of funding in energy-related areas, with a significant focus on gas resources, making A$78 million available for onshore unconventional gas exploration and reform in the gas markets, and A$7 million for studies into new gas pipelines to South Australia, from both Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) says it will focus specifically on fostering the nation’s solar power industry under a new $800 million investment plan.