Massive Pilbara wind and solar export hub gets environmental green light

Plans for a massive renewable energy generation and export hub based in the Pilbara region of Western Australia have firmed up this week, after being recommended for approval by the state’s Environmental Protection Authority.

Plans for Pilbara massive renewable energy generation and export hub.

Environmental approval for the 9GW Asian Renewable Energy Hub was recommended on Monday, subject to conditions including consultation on management plans with traditional landowners and managing and monitoring impacts on migratory birds.

The project is one of a handful of truly massive proposed renewable energy investments, along with the 10GW solar plant and huge battery storage project initially backed by billionaires Mike Cannon-Brookes and Andrew Forrest in the Northern Territory. 

There is another 5GW renewable energy project proposed for W.A., and numerous other plans also emerging as developers look to the possibility of renewable hydrogen, either to support the export of green fuels, or even “green metals” – value-added manufacturing underpinned by cheap, green power.

Read the RenewEconomy story by Sophie Vorrath - “Massive Pilbara wind and solar export hub gets environmental green light.”

Adani Carmichael coal mine: Former Indian sounds alarm on Adani's track record, mega-mine's viability

India's former environment minister Jairam Ramesh is "absolutely appalled" by the Australian Government's approval of the Adani Group's massive coal mine in North Queensland, which he says will threaten the survival of the Great Barrier Reef, "a common heritage of mankind".

Jairam Ramesh urges the Australian Government
to do thorough financial due diligence on Adani.

Mr Ramesh, an elder statesman of India's opposition Congress Party, also said the Federal Government and Queensland Government have failed to do adequate due diligence on Adani Group's environmental and financial conduct in India before granting environmental approvals and mining licenses.

"Adani Group's track record on environmental management within the country [India] leaves a lot to be desired," Mr Ramesh told Four Corners.

Read the ABC News story - “Adani Carmichael coal mine: Former Indian sounds alarm on Adani's track record, mega-mine's viability.”

Acland coalmine: Josh Frydenberg gives approval to $900m expansion

Josh Frydenberg announced the $900m
expansion of Queensland’s Acland open-cut
coalmine has received federal
government approval.

A controversial $900m expansion of Queensland’s Acland open-cut coalmine has received federal government approval.

The environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, made the announcement on Friday, but the New Hope project is still waiting on state permits and the outcome of a legal challenge in the land court.

“A total of 28 strict conditions are attached to the approval, which include requirements for water management and monitoring, and environmental offsets,” Frydenberg said.

The expansion is expected to create 260 construction jobs and guarantee the ongoing employment of hundreds of workers and contractors.

Read the story in The Guardian - “Acland coalmine: Josh Frydenberg gives approval to $900m expansion.”

(The Australian Government claims it will “meet and beat” its carbon emissions targets, but through its actions makes a mockery of those claims – Robert McLean)