• NSW Government Unveils $290 Million Energy Efficiency Plan
• Solar Curtailed in South Australia on 15 September Due to Renewables Surplus

NSW Government Unveils $290 Million Energy Efficiency Plan.

The NSW Government has announced a comprehensive $290 million plan aimed at helping households and small businesses reduce their energy costs and transition to a more sustainable energy future.

Key initiatives include:

1. • Solar Incentives: Financial incentives for apartment residents to install solar systems.
   • Energy Bill Relief: Rebates and debt relief for low-income households.
   • Social Housing Upgrades: Investments in energy-efficient upgrades for social housing homes.
   • Appliance Upgrades: Financial incentives for energy-efficient equipment.
   • EV Charging Infrastructure: Expansion of public EV charging stations.

In addition to these measures, the Government has set ambitious targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. A new Home Energy Saver program is under development, and $5 million is being allocated to support community energy projects.

Solar Curtailed in South Australia on 15 September Due to Renewables Surplus.

South Australian solar farms faced an unexpected issue on 15 September – too much sunshine. Abundant solar and wind generation, coupled with low demand, led to a crash in electricity prices. This forced many solar farms to cut back output (curtailment) to avoid financial losses from negative prices.

Data shows nearly all solar farm generation was curtailed at one point, highlighting challenges of integrating high levels of renewables. While curtailment is primarily an economic issue, it highlights the increasing urgency surrounding the uptake of storage.

The International Energy Agency acknowledges this challenge but recognises South Australia as a leader in managing high renewable energy penetration. The state utilises various methods to deal with surpluses, including exports, battery storage, and demand response.

At Ecovantage, we consistently analyse market activity, policy changes, consultation releases, and creation rates in conjunction with wider landscape activity. This allows us to keep our clients at the forefront of all relevant changes, and to leverage the advantage that this presents. Thank you for your continued support, and please reach out if you have any general or project-specific questions.

Nancy Sanjoto | Account Manager, Energy & Carbon Services
Nancy specialises in HEER & IHEAB activities under the NSW ESS program, as well as LGCs under the federal Renewable Energy Target.