Latest news with #OriginEnergy
Sydney Morning Herald
19-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Home batteries for renters? A solution could be coming soon
This network of homes gives the energy provider access to a significant volume of electricity generated by solar panels as well as that stored in batteries. Energy companies, aided by advanced software, can use these networks as a single 'virtual' power plant to send bursts of electricity into the grid when needed, such as afternoon peak energy usage periods, when people return from work, when coal plants are faltering due to technical issues or when cloudy and windy weather is cutting output from large-scale solar and wind farms. A household battery delivers savings by charging on free solar power from rooftop panels during the day and discharging at night to power the house when demand on the electricity grid rises, driving up prices. An appropriate-sized battery could significantly cut or even remove the electricity bill of a typical household in Melbourne and Sydney, which pays $1500 to $2000 a year for electricity. Origin Energy general manager of retail Jon Briskin said an 'enormous amount' of home battery storage coming online could be looped into a VPP. 'We see it as a core part of a cleaner and cheaper energy system … and it should lower customers' energy costs,' Briskin said. Why would energy providers want to use this system? For the simple reason that it could be cheaper than the alternative: either building gas plants or large-scale batteries to power thousands of homes at once. Former renter Caroline Edwards and her partner, Graeme, wanted to install solar panels and a battery at their house to cut their bills and contribute to lowering emissions from the electricity grid, but they were reluctant to speak to their landlord about getting solar panels and batteries. 'We would also have been happy to contribute something to that investment. We had a great landlord, but we were hesitant to ask him because there was no immediate financial return for him,' said Caroline, who moved into her own property in November. 'We were also hesitant because if we were to put forward a proposal for our investment as part of that, we have no rental security.' Loading The Edwardses are also landlords of a rented property, and Caroline said it should be imperative for governments to encourage renters and landlords to invest in solar and batteries. 'Literally, any support that we can get to make this an easier process for us to move forward with would be very gratefully received.' Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the government was already helping renters and low-income households access cheaper clean energy through the government's $100 million Solar Banks program for rooftop solar to power rented apartments, as well as investing in energy-efficient upgrades to social housing, with insulation upgrades, home batteries and efficient appliances. Solar Citizens campaigner Charlie Rodrick said renters had been too long locked out of the clean energy transition.
The Age
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Home batteries for renters? A solution could be coming soon
This network of homes gives the energy provider access to a significant volume of electricity generated by solar panels as well as that stored in batteries. Energy companies, aided by advanced software, can use these networks as a single 'virtual' power plant to send bursts of electricity into the grid when needed, such as afternoon peak energy usage periods, when people return from work, when coal plants are faltering due to technical issues or when cloudy and windy weather is cutting output from large-scale solar and wind farms. A household battery delivers savings by charging on free solar power from rooftop panels during the day and discharging at night to power the house when demand on the electricity grid rises, driving up prices. An appropriate-sized battery could significantly cut or even remove the electricity bill of a typical household in Melbourne and Sydney, which pays $1500 to $2000 a year for electricity. Origin Energy general manager of retail Jon Briskin said an 'enormous amount' of home battery storage coming online could be looped into a VPP. 'We see it as a core part of a cleaner and cheaper energy system … and it should lower customers' energy costs,' Briskin said. Why would energy providers want to use this system? For the simple reason that it could be cheaper than the alternative: either building gas plants or large-scale batteries to power thousands of homes at once. Former renter Caroline Edwards and her partner, Graeme, wanted to install solar panels and a battery at their house to cut their bills and contribute to lowering emissions from the electricity grid, but they were reluctant to speak to their landlord about getting solar panels and batteries. 'We would also have been happy to contribute something to that investment. We had a great landlord, but we were hesitant to ask him because there was no immediate financial return for him,' said Caroline, who moved into her own property in November. 'We were also hesitant because if we were to put forward a proposal for our investment as part of that, we have no rental security.' Loading The Edwardses are also landlords of a rented property, and Caroline said it should be imperative for governments to encourage renters and landlords to invest in solar and batteries. 'Literally, any support that we can get to make this an easier process for us to move forward with would be very gratefully received.' Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the government was already helping renters and low-income households access cheaper clean energy through the government's $100 million Solar Banks program for rooftop solar to power rented apartments, as well as investing in energy-efficient upgrades to social housing, with insulation upgrades, home batteries and efficient appliances. Solar Citizens campaigner Charlie Rodrick said renters had been too long locked out of the clean energy transition.
The Advertiser
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Mayor's plea: don't let the clock run out on Lake in Eraring closure
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said.
ABC News
07-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Falling feed-ins and new export tariff frustrate SA solar customers
For Genevieve Dawson and thousands of solar energy customers across South Australia, July 1 was a doubly frustrating day. "We made a good investment when they were really pushing solar a few years back," Ms Dawson, who lives in Aldinga Beach, south of Adelaide, said. "'Everyone get on board the renewable train', which we did and you know slowly but slowly it's gone downhill." At the start of the month, Ms Dawson's energy company, Origin, announced an increase in energy charges and dropped its feed-in-tariff — the amount energy companies pay customers for their exported energy — from 4 cents to just 2 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). On the same day, a new export charge was introduced by SA Power Networks (SAPN) that will see energy retailers — and potentially their customers — pay to export their energy to the grid in certain circumstances. "I think it is unfair," Ms Dawson said. "We're getting slugged more and more and little taxes get brought in like the export tariff. "Supply charges are going up and we're getting less for our feed-in tariff. "I'm not sure where it's going to end, is it going to go to zero at some stage? I don't see what the end game is here." SAPN said the export tariff, which some solar customers have described as a "sun tax", is needed to fund an $80 million upgrade over five years of the state's electricity grid which, at times, had struggled to cope with the amount of solar energy being exported into the system. "South Australia has the highest uptake of rooftop solar in the world, and that's great, but now we need smart and efficient investment in the grid to ensure that we can continue to connect customers' solar," SAPN's external affairs manager, Cecilia Schutz, said. In a complicated calculation, agreed to by the Australian Energy Regulator, SAPN would calculate the amount residential and small business customers on smart meters should pay by charging between .75 cents to one cent kWh for any energy exported between 10am and 4pm above the first 9kWh sent to the grid. SAPN estimated that for residential customers the average cost per month would be $1.50, while small businesses would pay $6 a month. That charge would be paid by the electricity retail companies directly to SAPN. But SAPN doesn't know how or whether the export tariff would be collected from households. "We're asking retailers to contribute based on how much their solar customers export, we think that's a fair and equitable way to share the cost," Ms Schutz said. But Ms Schutz said she understood how customers would be concerned and frustrated about a new export charge. "I think there have been mixed messages," Ms Schutz said. "The energy landscape has been incredibly complex for customers, and I think it was easy for customers to be confused about what the benefits for solar were. "The enduring benefit for solar has always been for customers to self-consume the solar that they generate." The ABC contacted several electricity retailers to see how, or if, they would pass the charge onto consumers. Most did not respond. In a statement, energy retailer Origin said: "At this stage, we have not introduced export tariff charges for South Australian customers. "We will continue to assess this policy change to better understand customer behaviour and impacts over the coming months." In a statement, energy retailer AGL said it had "no plans to pass on SAPN's negative export tariff to our customers". "As a result there will be no impact to customer bills," the statement said. "We continue to monitor the impact of network tariff changes and will keep customers informed should anything change." The South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS) said it was concerned that if solar customers were not charged the export tariff directly by their retailers, all customers would end up paying more for their electricity. "There's absolutely no doubt that if the costs are just spread across everybody then those people who currently don't have access to solar or batteries will be paying for extra supplementation on our network business that isn't really their fault or their requirement," SACOSS CEO Ross Womersley said. "We know that most of those households are more likely to be rental households and low-income households. "It's important the retailers look very carefully at how they can target the cost." Mr Womersley also dismissed the claim from some solar consumers that export tariffs amounted to a "sun tax". "It's just nonsense … those of us who have solar and particularly those of us who have solar and battery are benefiting enormously," he said. Mr Womersley said charging solar customers to upgrade the system was fair, unlike the way money has been collected for the state government's historic Feed In Tariff Scheme. Under that scheme, solar customers who installed panels before October 1, 2011, have received a guaranteed minimum feed in of 44c/kWh. The scheme ends on June 30, 2028. About 82,000 South Australian households remain on that scheme with $80 million paid approximately each year by all electricity households to subsidise those early solar adopters. "Why should people on low incomes … be left holding extra costs in their bills in order to pay for a privileged group?" Mr Womersley said. In response to a series of questions from the ABC, the state government said in a statement that "export charging" was approved by the independent regulator and was "outside the influence of government". "This structure is not unique to South Australia," the statement said. "It has been rolled out in New South Wales for the 2025-30 regulatory period and is being proposed in Victoria for the 2026-31 regulatory period."
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
ASX falls as investors await key Trump, RBA decisions
Cautious investors dragged the Australian sharemarket and dollar lower as they await the fallout from US President Donald Trump's tariff policy and whether or not the Reserve Bank will go through with its widely expected rate cut. The benchmark ASX 200 index slid 13.70 points or 0.16 per cent to finish Monday's trading at 8,589.30. The broader All Ordinaries also finished in the red down 15.50 points or 0.18 per cent to 8,826.40. The Australian dollar slumped 0.58 per cent and is now buying 65.10 US cents. It was a mixed day for markets with six of the 11 sectors finishing in the red, as the local bourse seesawed throughout the day's trading. Utilities were the standout, led by Origin Energy which jumped 6.75 per cent to $11.55 while APA Group was up 0.36 per cent to $8.39 and Meridian Energy finished in the green up 2.22 per cent to $5.53. It was also a strong day for the healthcare sector with CSL jumping 2.15 per cent to $247.98 while Sigma Healthcare rose 0.33 per cent to $3.02 and Pro Medicus closed 0.68 per cent higher to $309.98. CBA shares slipped 0.11 per cent to $177.81, NAB dropped 0.28 per cent to $39.04, Westpac slumped 0.45 per cent to $33.48 while ANZ finished in the red down 0.63 per cent to $30.13. Traders were cautious after US treasury secretary Scott Bessent informed the market the White House sent letters to its trading partners. But there were some mixed messages. Some White House staff said 12 letters were sent while others said 15, with nobody confirming who will receive a letter and what the new tariff rates will be. However, the White House said the revised levies would come into effect from August 1. IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said traders were taking profits waiting for the fallout from a busy macroeconomic week. 'Starting with the RBA, it would be a shock if they went against what the market is pricing in at this time and there would probably be an uproar if they didn't cut rates,' he told NewsWire. Mr Sycamore said tariff rates would likely rise from an average of 14 to around 19 per cent on the back of these letters sent to 12 to 15 countries. 'Mr Trump did mention 70 per cent for some countries, but we don't know until that letter arrives and we see the headlines so again it makes sense to see a little bit of profit taking,' he said. In company news, Origin Energy jumped 6.75 per cent to $11.55 after reports the company was mulling over a demerger. Origin Energy, which owns a minority stake in UK business Octopus Energy, is reportedly seeking a demerger of its technology arm. On the other side, Northern Star Resources slumped 8.7 per cent after reporting gold sales for the 2025 financial year came in at the lower end of its revised guidance. It also set a weaker than forecasted guidance for 2026.
