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Category: THE WEEKLY DISPATCH

The Weekly Dispatch is a blog post series summarising the latest developments in the Australian and global energy markets. With so much happening across the sector we want to provide a quick digest of developments we come across during the week. In a given week this could include wholesale market events, news articles, blogs, regulatory developments, academic articles or podcasts.

Nathan Clearying Skies

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. The AER releases the final Default Market Offer, with bills expected to fall between 3% and 7% in QLD and NSW.
  2. The CEC’s Clean Energy Australia 2026 report shows renewables hit 43% of Australia’s electricity in 2025 and Australia is now the world’s third-largest utility-scale battery market — but new wind and solar investment has fallen to a decade low.
  3. AEMO and Transgrid have approved full operations for Australia’s first 8-hour battery — RWE’s 50MW/400MWh Limondale BESS in southern NSW, comprising 144 Tesla Megapacks.
  4. The Queensland Government has launched a tender for 400MW of new gas-fired generation in Central Queensland, managed by QIC and targeting operational supply by 2032.
  5. Western Australia is leading Australia’s charge as a global battery nation, underpinned by surging home battery installations and the state’s position as the world’s largest lithium supplier.
  6. Leaked BHP documents reveal they quietly shelved billions in Pilbara decarbonisation projects and delayed its electric truck rollout — while continuing to buy new diesel fleets.
  7. A May heatwave in the UK — with amber heat-health alerts issued across England — has prompted fresh questions about whether the country’s infrastructure, housing stock and health systems are built for a hotter climate.
  8. Sumitomo (major Japan trading company) and ENEOS (Japan oil major) have announced that they’ve “paused” their green hydrogen project w/ Malaysia’s SEDC Energy announced in late 2023.
  9. Due to higher JKM LNG prices, generation costs for LNG are now 2x that of coal in Japan.
  10. NSW beats QLD in the State of Origin.
  11. Podcast of the week: Bloomberg chat about the growth of offshore wind projects.  

Tender loving care

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. NSW launched its biggest-ever renewable energy tenders this week, opening Tender 8 for 2.5 GW of new generation (with a new hybrid solar-battery LTESA product) and Tender 9 for 12.5 GWh of long-duration storage, as the state aims to replace its ageing coal fleet.
  2. Green light to build first Aussie-made electric ferry. After it’s built, the new 24-metre, battery electric ferry will be trialled for 12 months from early 2028 and is likely to service the new Sydney Fish Markets route when it enters passenger service in 2029.
  3. Edify Energy reached financial close on the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap solar and battery projects in central Queensland, Australia’s largest solar-battery hybrid projects currently under construction. The 720 MW solar and 600 MW / 2,400 MWh BESS projects are backed by a 20-year offtake with Rio Tinto and financed through a consortium of 14 domestic and international lenders.
  4. Star of the South opened its draft Environmental Impact Statement and Victorian Environment Effects Statement for public review, marking the first step in Australia’s first offshore wind environmental approvals process. It could take an additional five years to become fully operational.
  5. EDP wins AU$3 million ARENA funding for bushfire-resilient microgrid in regional Australia.
  6. METI’s ANRE (Agency for Natural Resources and Energy) held a committee meeting on May 20th, where many of its members emphasised the importance of coal thermal power for Japan, given the ongoing Middle East crisis.
  7. Osaka Gas unveils 1.24 GW LNG Himeji power plant.
  8. Podcast of the week: Let Me Sum Up talk about depleting oil reserves and flexible data centres.  

Fuel and fortunes

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. Energy ministers moved closer to requiring large datacentres to back new renewable energy and storage projects as AI-driven demand growth accelerates across the NEM. Queensland was the only state not to support the proposal.
  2. Political debate over Australia’s generation mix sharpened following Opposition Leader Angus Taylor’s commitment to run coal-fired generation “long and hard” while rolling back EV concessions and net zero policies.
  3. The Australia Institute released a new proposal to overhaul the National Electricity Market this week, calling for structural reform to improve reliability, reduce price volatility and accelerate the clean energy transition as renewable penetration continues to rise.
  4. South Australia moved to bolster fuel security this week, announcing a strategic diesel reserve of up to 20 million litres to be stored at Port Bonython amid escalating concerns over global fuel supply disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East.
  5. A proposed expansion of the Marulan gas project in NSW reignited debate around the role of firming generation, with proponents citing surging electricity demand from AI and datacentres as a key driver behind the development.
  6. ARENA shortlisted a new wave of large-scale renewable hydrogen projects this week, signalling continued federal support for domestic hydrogen industry development despite challenging global market conditions and slower-than-expected project execution timelines.
  7. Federal Budget measures released this week will see $97.2 million allocated to implementing a National Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap, and $15.9 million directed to a range of energy reforms, such as implementing the ‘Nelson Review’ for the National Electricity Market (NEM).
  8. Japan’s Long-Term Decarbonisation Auction (“LTDA”) FY2025 (Round 3) results were announced, most notably including a new nuclear build (Oma plant in Tohoku, which began construction in 2008 but has been paused since 2011) and two 100% hydrogen projects, all of which are the first to win bids under the LTDA scheme.
  9. Idemitsu, one of Japan’s oil majors, announced its mid-term business plan through 2030, withdrawing their previous plan to reduce their refinery footprint in Japan and instead opting to maintain the entire fleet of 6 refineries due to the ongoing Middle East crisis.
  10. NSW Roadmap Tender 7 for Firming Infrastructure is complete. Two projects, representing 532 MW / 2,128 MWh have been awarded.
  11. Podcast of the week: The Catalyst talk about fertiliser and energy markets.  

Winds in the West

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. An east coast gas reserve has been announced, from July next year, Queensland’s three LNG ventures will be required, by law, to set aside 20 per cent of their export volumes for Australian users.
  2. Capacity investment scheme tenders 5 and 6 in Western Australia have been completed, selecting 10 projects with 6 being wind.
  3. Labor extends EV tax break to encourage cheaper vehicles amid soaring fuel prices.
  4. In Japan, a FIT solar project was found in complete violation of its setup and needs to refund payments.
  5. Podcast of the week:  AEMO on Air chats about the QED and batteries.

UAExit

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. AEMO releases the Quarter 1 Energy Dynamics report for 2026.
  2. The UAE exits OPEC.
  3. Pace of onshore wind development in Japan is slowing down with 58 projects cancelled in the last 5 years, driven by higher material costs, stricter regulations, and local community pushback.
  4. AEMO has released the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Minimum System Load (MSL) Type 2 Transitional Services.
  5. Germany’s coal exit remains on track amid energy crisis.
  6. Jobs in doubt as assistance package for Port Pirie, Hobart Nystar smelters ends.
  7. Podcast of the week:  Columbia Energy Exchange talks about the UAE’s exit from OPEC.

Money Money Money

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. AEMC modelling suggests that network pricing reform could deliver $6 billion in system savings.
  2. The prime minister is deciding against a move to increase taxes on gas giants in next month’s budget.
  3. The government is proposing changes to capital gains tax for foreign investors, and the renewable industry is worried this will increase prices.
  4. The AEMC amended the calculation of the cumulative price during periods of peak market stress and introduced a new distribution network development plan to support more proactive, long-term planning.
  5. Biggest rooftop solar in Japan, rated at 6.0125 MW, just became operational in the Kansai region, with all its generation to be sold wholesale via the FIP scheme.
  6. J-POWER and Kyushu EPCO held a completion ceremony for Japan’s largest offshore wind farm to-date, the 220 MW Kita-Kyushu Hibiki-nada project, consisting of 25 Vestas turbines rated at 9.6 MW each.
  7. Podcast of the week: Let Me Sum Up chat about investing and business opposition to climate policy.

Driver Re-Viva

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. Electric bus, train and light rail services in New South Wales will run on fully renewable energy from next year under a new $1.9bn deal.
  2. The federal government confirms purchase of 100m litres of diesel in bid to boost supply amid Iran war oil crisis.
  3. Uncertainty over fuel supplies after major fire at oil refinery in Geelong.
  4. IMF warns energy crisis could trigger global recession
  5. IHI, a major heavy industrial player in Japan, has announced that setting up a 2MW gas turbine that runs on 100% ammonia in Malaysia.
  6. Amazon Australia links nine new renewable energy PPAs.
  7. TEPCO began commercial operation of Unit 6 (rated at 1.36GW) of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant after a 7-week delay.
  8. Podcast of the week:  Switched On chat about dealing with data centres, large loads and supply gaps.

Electric Feel

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. National Electricity Market (NEM) emissions have dropped 25 per cent since 2020.
  2. EV sales soared by 42 per cent this month, including electric trucks.
  3. South Australia fast-tracked reforms to heavy vehicle limits in response to the fuel crisis, reducing fuel usage by 18 per cent.
  4. Independent Planning Commission in NSW has approved an 800MW solar farm with 356MW/1,574MWh battery energy storage system.
  5. Solar panel prices are increasing by 10–30 per cent in Japan.
  6. Podcast of the week: Let Me Sum Up unpacks the national fuel security plan.

April Fuels

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. The Government halves fuel excise for three months to ease the cost of petrol and diesel.
  2. State governments follow and agree to further fuel excise cuts, using extra GST revenue.
  3. The ACCC released their latest gas inquiry report, mentioning that gas supply will be tight in the third quarter of 2026.
  4. Hydrostor energy storage project resolves conflict with stargazing tourism business and construction will now go ahead as planned.
  5. The AEMC has finalised a framework for customers who want to permanently remove their gas connection. 
  6. Electric trucks need to be cheaper to encourage industry adoption.
  7. The Australian Energy Council released their 2050 vision featuring some of Endgame’s analysis.
  8. Podcast of the week: The Catalyst discusses managing nuclear waste.

All(um)in(ium) or nothing

Posted on by Angela Vumbaca

In this Weekly Dispatch:

  1. AEMO released the 2026 Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) for the East Coast Gast Market, finding improved near-term supply conditions.
  2. IEA says second round of emergency fuel releases is on table with world leaders failing to grasp the depth of the energy crisis, saying it has dwarfed the fuel crises of the 1970s.
  3. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) calls for Australia to reduce its exposure to oil shocks, having the lowest reserves out of all International Energy Agency (IEA) members.
  4. The Queensland and federal governments will each invest $1 billion to help Rio Tinto’s Boyne aluminium smelter transition to renewable energy.
  5. Australia’s diesel standards will be lowered for six months.
  6. Synergy has entered Power Purchase Agreements with two wind farms.
  7. In response to the ongoing geopolitical crisis in the Middle East, the Japanese government has decided to ramp up the use of “inefficient” coal power plants, for a temporary one-year period of FY2026.
  8. Paywalled: NSW government is seeking a similar deal (as Rio Tinto above) with the federal government to rescue Tomago smelter.
  9. Podcast of the week: Let Me Sum Up chat about measures to reduce impacts on households due to the energy crisis and PHEVs.

Contact

ph. P +61 2 9037 0370
e. E info@endgameanalytics.com.au
a. A
Level 31, 9 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000
ph. +61 2 9037 0370
e. info@endgameanalytics.com.au
a.
Level 31, 9 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000

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