Media

Tim’s interview starts at 2:03:47 Tim Buckley discussed the $2.5 billion state and federal government support package to secure Tomago Aluminium’s future and transition the smelter from subsidised coal power to firmed renewables. Tomago consumes around 12% of NSW electricity and supports 1,000 direct and thousands of indirect jobs. Buckley said the agreement could unlock renewable investment through long-term demand certainty. Power will combine wind, solar, batteries, demand response and limited gas peaking, helping maintain grid reliability while supporting globally competitive, lower-emissions aluminium production. Read more

Tim’s interview starts at 14:30 Tim Buckley, Director of Climate Energy Finance, compared challenges facing Tomago in NSW and Rio Tinto’s Bell Bay smelter in Tasmania, arguing governments cannot continue relying on repeated taxpayer-funded industry bailouts. He noted almost $10 billion in government support across Australian industrial facilities over two years. While recognising the strategic importance of aluminium and associated jobs, Buckley called for long-term solutions, highlighting competitive pressure from subsidised Chinese refining capacity and the need for greater renewable energy supply to reduce electricity costs. Read more

Experts in solar energy say while Australians have installed a huge number of panels over the years, there’s another big hurdle the country must overcome; mastering the use of robots and prefabrication. Read more

Interview starts at: 24:30 Matt Pollard, Head of Research at Climate Energy Finance, said investing in low-emissions steelmaking is essential to reverse Australia’s long term manufacturing decline and boost productivity. He said electric arc furnaces are more energy efficient than coal-based steelmaking and can be supported by existing grid infrastructure with additional renewable energy and firming. Pollard highlighted the EU’s carbon border tariffs as a major driver of green steel, calling for stronger Australian carbon pricing and border measures. He noted four electric arc furnace projects are proposed across WA and Queensland, while China is rapidly decarbonising its steel industry. Read more

ABC Newcastle Breakfast – Interview with Tim starting at 1:40:37. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/newcastle-breakfast/breakfast/106964472 Climate Energy Finance director Tim Buckley said the belief that green steel is “too hard” is false, noting electric arc furnaces are already operating in Australia, New Zealand and the US with more than 90% lower emissions than Port Kembla. He questioned why Australia continues to support one of the world’s highest-emissions steel plants while exempting BlueScope from stronger Safeguard Mechanism requirements. Buckley urged government to stop subsidising the bad stuff and incentivise the good stuff, strengthen the Safeguard Mechanism, and back the growing pipeline of electric arc furnace projects. He said Australia should prioritise import replacement and domestic consumption, reducing reliance on imported high-emissions steel while introducing carbon-based anti-dumping measures. With Australia the world’s largest exporter of iron ore and coking coal, he said the long-term opportunity is to build the domestic steel supply chain before pursuing larger export projects. Read more

Tim Buckley joined ABC to discuss Australia’s renewable energy transition, highlighting the importance of accelerating investment in clean energy and storage to strengthen energy security and reduce electricity costs. He emphasised the need for coordinated policy, timely grid upgrades, and greater certainty for investors to support the shift away from coal. The interview also explored the economic opportunities of renewable energy, including regional job creation, improved competitiveness, and Australia’s potential to become a global clean energy leader. Read more

Tim’s interview starts at 30:26 mark Following reports by The Guardian and Four Corners, concerns were raised about BHP’s decision to step back from interim decarbonisation targets despite its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The discussion examined whether the company had prioritised short-term economic interests over climate commitments, with allegations of greenwashing and investor deception. The interview also explored the broader implications for Australia’s climate goals, highlighting the need for greater investment in renewable energy, electrification and grid infrastructure. Particular attention was given to the Pilbara, where renewable energy penetration remains low and mining operations continue to rely heavily on imported diesel. The discussion argued that stronger policy settings and corporate leadership are essential to align Australia’s largest companies with climate science and the nation’s net zero objectives. Read more

Tim’s interview starts at 3:06:00 Tim Buckley criticised opposition proposals to extend ageing coal-fired power stations and subsidise nuclear energy, arguing they would cost taxpayers “tens to hundreds of billions”, potentially up to a trillion dollars. He said falling wholesale electricity prices in eastern Australia, down 12% year-on-year in early 2026, showed renewable energy and batteries were already lowering costs. Buckley argued recent energy price spikes were caused by fossil fuel volatility following Russian invasion of Ukraine, not the renewable transition. Discussing Origin Energy’s Eraring plant, he warned ageing coal stations were unreliable and prone to catastrophic failures. Read more

Australia’s federal budget includes $10 billion to boost diesel and jet fuel supplies and create a government-owned emergency reserve, aimed at improving fuel security. Tim Buckley criticised the continued support for fossil fuels, saying the government missed opportunities to tax LNG exports and reform the $11 billion diesel rebate. He welcomed investments in electrification, batteries and decarbonisation, but said more funding was needed for electric freight, mining and transport. Climate experts said the budget largely maintains existing renewable energy support while continuing major fossil fuel subsidies, raising concerns Australia may struggle to meet its 82% renewable energy target by 2030. Read more

Tim Buckley’s interview starts at 1:06:51 in the following link: ABC Gold Coast Drive Tom Forbes reports that the Australian […] Read more

Australia’s electricity regulator, as reported by ABC Illawarra, has announced a lower default market offer, reducing benchmark power prices as […] Read more

Australia faces economic and energy pressures as China diversifies from reliance on its natural resources, investing $120 billion in supply chains across Africa and South America. Despite record trade, Australia risks overdependence on China. Disruptions to Qatar’s gas exports may push LNG prices up, benefiting multinationals and potentially the federal budget. Key resources like lithium, copper, and rare earths are vital for EVs and energy storage, prompting calls for stronger domestic energy security and renewable production. Read more