Australia's solar, wind boom to power past grid woes in 2019

Source: Reuters

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS JANUARY 20, 2019 / 4:13 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

Australia's solar, wind boom to power past grid woes in 2019

Sonali Paul
7 MIN READ

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia’s wind and solar boom looks set to power through 2019 following a record year, despite grid constraints and extra scrutiny from network operators to make sure new projects don’t spark blackouts like ones that hit two years ago.

Abundant wind and sun, falling turbine and panel costs, and corporate demand for contracts to hedge against rising power tariffs have attracted dozens of international developers looking to build wind and solar farms Down Under.

Even though the developers have met with flip-flops on energy policy, a strained grid that has trouble integrating intermittent renewable power, and unexpected hook-up costs, they still see Australia as a growth market.

“We believe that we have a great future in Australia, because we have the right answers,” said Xavier Barbaro, Chief Executive of France’s Neoen (NEOEN.PA), whose biggest market is Australia.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-renewables/australias-solar-wind-boom-to-power-past-grid-woes-in-2019-idUSKCN1PE0V8