GenCost 2024-25 Consultation Draft released. Consultation closes: 11 February, 2025
For the seventh year in a row, renewables have the lowest cost range of any new electricity generation, despite varied inflationary impacts across technologies.

Each year, CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) collaborate with industry stakeholders to update GenCost. This leading economic report estimates the cost of building new electricity generation, storage, and hydrogen production in Australia out to 2050.

Key findings:

• Large scale solar PV remains the strongest performer, falling 8 per cent for the second year in a row.
• Battery costs record the biggest annual reduction, falling 20 per cent.
• Onshore wind costs continue to increase, but at a slower rate.
• Gas turbine costings increase reflecting the additional cost of being hydrogen ready.
• New insights on nuclear projects, including potential cost advantages of a long operational life, plausible capacity factor ranges and likely development lead time.

Learn More

The marine surveys started in November 2024, and will continue into 2025.

Blue Mackerel has commenced marine surveys to better understand the metocean conditions, ocean floor and seabed conditions within the Blue Mackerel feasibility area. One of the first steps is to undertake geophysical, geotechnical, wind and wave (FLiDAR) and other environmental surveys.

The marine surveys started in November 2024, allowing data to be gathered during the summer months which provide improved conditions for these investigations. Four types of surveys will be conducted in late 2024 and throughout 2025

Learn More

Victorian Government released it’s Cheaper, Cleaner, Renewable: Our Plan for Victoria’s Electricity Future. The document outlines the actions they are taking to ensure our state achieves its renewable energy targets.

The plan is built on 4 pillars:

• Enabling the renewables big build
• Empowering households and businesses to lower energy bills
• Managing the transition away from fossil fuels
• Creating jobs, skills and supply chains.

Victoria is experiencing a once-in-a-generation shift in how we get our electricity. As our ageing coal-fired power stations retire, they are being replaced by cheaper, more reliable renewable energy like wind and solar. 

Learn More

AusNet, believes in a decarbonised energy future. Distributed energy resources (DER), like community batteries, are a key piece of this puzzle. But these resources require planning and an understanding of the network.

AusNet partnered with Rosetta Analytics to create GridView portal to:
• provides in-depth network information, including distribution substations and low voltage lines, switches and fuses
• allows customers to access and evaluate data specific to where their community energy project is located
• allows AusNet to easily share network information and data that can empower their customers and the community to complete community energy projects.
• enable not-for-profit organisations and community groups to use the portal to conduct feasibility studies and compile applications for funding and grants that may require detailed network data.

Learn More

A local Platform for cooperative action. 

The Committee for Gippsland (C4G) and the Gippsland Climate Change Network (GCCN) have joined forces with Gippsland offshore wind proponents to form an alliance.

The formation of this Gippsland Alliance recognises that a cooperative and collaborative approach to engagement and advocacy will help support the region’s ambition to successfully deliver our energy transition. Offshore wind will create new jobs, boost Victoria’s manufacturing and supply chains, increase regional investment, and help Australia reach net-zero, but work is needed to ensure that these opportunities are realised. The Gippsland Alliance will help coordinate this.

Learn More

What might an offshore wind farm look like off the coast of Gippsland?

To understand what wind turbines off the coast of Gippsland might look like, The Victorian Government has developed a series of interactive images of offshore wind turbines seen from popular locations, Golden Beach, Woodside Beach and Wilsons Promontory at three different distances from shore – 10km, 30km, and 60km. Details from Vic Gov Energy, Environment & Climate Action. 

Learn More