Oceania

Australian renewables startup Okra Solar has raised $3 million to scale up distribution of its solar-based hardware and software solutions. It aims to electrify more than 290,000 off-grid homes in Nigeria over the next three years, while also expanding its operations in countries such as Haiti.

Sun Cable’s massive AUD 30 billion ($20.7 billion) Australia-Asia PowerLink project has passed another major milestone by obtaining approval from Infrastructure Australia.

Rio Tinto has officially opened a technologically advanced mine in Western Australia. The Gudai-Darri iron ore mine features a 34 MW solar farm capable of meeting one-third of the facility’s energy needs.

Fortescue Future Industries and Woodside have been selected as the two finalists in the race to develop what could be one of the world’s largest green hydrogen projects – a 600 MW facility in New Zealand.

Australian Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen has declared that the nation is now “under new management,” with plans to “unleash private investment” in renewables projects.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has suspended the electricity wholesale spot market in all five of the participating National Electricity Market states, as it claims it has become “impossible” to operate.

A research group led by Professor Martin Green has published Version 60 of the Solar cell efficiency tables.

The government of the Australian state of Queensland has committed AUD 48 million ($33 million) to develop two pumped hydro projects.

Lake Onslow, New Zealand, could become home to one of the world’s largest pumped-hydro storage facilities. A local consortium is now conducting a feasibility study and is investigating possible system designs and precise locations.