Media

Tim Buckley says Australia’s power grid is vulnerable in heatwaves because it was built 50–70 years ago and not designed for frequent 40–45°C temperatures. Extreme weather is increasing due to climate change driven by fossil fuels, making resilience upgrades essential. The issue is grid resilience, not just generation type. Old transmission lines over long distances are prone to heat, bushfires and shutdowns. Buckley argues for major investment in modernisation, including microgrids, batteries, rooftop solar and the ability for remote towns to operate independently during outages. These solutions are now cheaper, faster to deploy and more reliable than maintaining ageing infrastructure. Read more

A new report on transforming and decarbonising the Whyalla steelworks argues that South Australia should prioritise renewable energy and future […] Read more

Tim Buckley, founder of Clean Energy Finance, argues that Whyalla’s steelworks must shift quickly to renewable energy rather than rely […] Read more

A Climate Energy Finance report warns taxpayers may face $2 billion in additional subsidies for gas supply and new infrastructure if BlueScope takes over the Whyalla Steelworks and pursues a gas-based sustainability plan. The group says there is no spare pipeline capacity, meaning a new 160-km pipeline, estimated at $500 million, would be required, alongside long-term subsidies due to Australia’s exceptionally high domestic gas prices. Co-author Tim Buckley argues this approach would lock in methane for decades, urging instead that similar public investment support renewable-powered green iron and electric arc furnace steelmaking, which he says is commercially viable and consistent with climate goals. Read more

Tim Buckley, director of Climate Energy Finance at the Public Interest think tank, says coal is definitely declining, even in […] Read more

Tim Buckley, Director of Climate Energy Finance, told ABC Illawarra that Australia’s manufacturing sector is in serious decline due to […] Read more

Snowy Hydro, one of Australia’s longest-running renewable energy projects, has signed its first major battery storage deal with Akaysha Energy to build the Elaine Battery in Victoria. The battery will provide short-duration storage to complement Snowy’s long-duration pumped hydro, helping balance supply when solar and wind are unavailable. Tim Buckley of Climate Energy Finance says this marks a turning point, with battery tech disrupting Australia’s fossil-fuel-heavy energy market. Backed by global investor BlackRock, Akaysha plans five battery sites. Buckley argues that large-scale batteries are timely, cost-effective, and essential for decarbonisation, especially amid political inaction and failures of past mega-projects like Snowy 2.0 Read more

Tim Buckley from the think tank Climate Energy Finance says that China is stepping up on the global stage as the U.S. pulls back from its climate responsibilities. He notes that China is eager to lead and now has the chance to be seen as the “good guy” in climate action. Buckley highlights that China’s rapid technological development over the past decade has made clean energy solutions more viable and scalable than ever before, helping to accelerate the global transition to lower emissions. Read more

The government plans to cut carbon emissions by 62–70% to help stop global warming caused by pollution. Some politicians are against the plan. But expert Tim Buckley says investors might still support it because it encourages new investment. However, the political pushback could make things harder. Read more

Tim Buckley discusses the inevitability of transitioning Australia’s economy, particularly for regions reliant on heavy emitting industries like the Hunter Valley. He reassures workers that change is coming, but there is time to adapt and seize new opportunities. Buckley stresses the importance of addressing climate science and the risks of inaction, including more frequent extreme weather events. He highlights the massive investment potential in industries like green iron, green aluminium, and electric vehicles, creating thousands of new jobs. Buckley believes the Albanese government’s efforts to rebuild public service capacity are crucial for meeting climate targets and ensuring a strong economy. Read more

Tim Buckley sees Sun Cable’s pivot from a 4,200km subsea electricity cable to solar-powered data centres as a pragmatic shift […] Read more

Tim Buckley, energy analyst at Climate Energy Finance, explains the strategic importance of a new rare earth discovery amid the global shift to renewables. Rare earths, though niche, are critical for technologies like EVs and wind turbines. China dominates global supply, making non-Chinese sources like Australia vital, especially during US-China trade tensions. The Australian government may support viable projects for sovereign capability. However, environmental concerns exist due to radioactivity and mining impacts, raising questions about social and geopolitical consequences. Read more