Agreement reached by Council on electricity market design reform after months-long wait

22 November, 2023
Overview Recently, the European Council reached an agreement on their proposal for a Regulation to amend the EU’s EMD. This agreement follows from the European Commission’s suggestion to begin negotiations for electricity market design (‘EMD’) reforms earlier in March 2023. This reform aims to deal with the shortcomings of the current EMD by stabilising energy … Read more

Have your say on the draft NSW energy policy framework

16 November, 2023
To support the clean energy transition, draft guidelines for wind, solar, transmission, benefit-sharing and private agreements have been released by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). This new policy package should be reviewed by existing and prospective applicants of clean energy and transmission projects in NSW. Read more

Safeguard Mechanism reforms: New guidelines released on emissions-intensity determination applications and a review for a potential carbon border adjustment underway

29 October, 2023
In October 2023, the Clean Energy Regulator released guidelines to assist responsible emitters and auditors making applications for an emissions-intensity determination. For existing Safeguard Mechanism facilities, this determination will be an important factor in how a facility’s unique baseline will be calculated under the reformed Safeguard Mechanism scheme. Read more

Offshore investors & offshore wind in Australia: FIRB in the context of offshore wind feasibility licences

17 October, 2023
Australia’s foreign investment legislation does not yet clearly address our evolving offshore wind licensing landscape, with offshore wind feasibility licences not neatly sitting within an existing category of actions in the current FIRB regime. However, FIRB has taken a consistent approach in approving recent applications, providing clarity for future foreign participants. Read more

Queensland legislates for hydrogen injection into gas pipelines

16 October, 2023
The Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023 (Qld) (the Legislation) was passed by Queensland Parliament on 10 October 2023.  The Legislation will commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation. As part of a regulatory review to support the regulation of renewable hydrogen development and use in Queensland, the … Read more

EU Batteries Regulation enters into force

27 September, 2023
On 17 August 2023, the EU Batteries Regulation (the “Regulation“) entered into force, two and a half years after the Commission first published its proposal in December 2020. The Regulation will replace the current Batteries Directive, which was implemented in 2006, a time when batteries played a drastically different role within our daily lives. The … Read more