Media

Tim Buckley was not impressed. After a scandalous article appeared in the financial press citing the Clean Energy Council’s apparent embrace of methane gas as a “transition fuel” Buckley, who bows to no fossil fuellers and is one of the transition industry’s most respected commentators, called it “bizarre”. Methane does play an important role in electricity system firming, but its role is small and declining, and the battery disruption will only accelerate this ongoing decline. Read more

“The Australian Energy Market Operator report for the December quarter of 2024 shows domestic gas use accounted for only about 16% of total gas produced in eastern Australia,” says Buckley. “We exported the other 84% of all the gas produced in eastern Australia. That’s the most important point: we don’t have a shortage. Read more

Tim Buckley, Director at Climate Energy Finance, said in an interview with Jaynie Seal that Peter Dutton’s new gas plan sounds good but doesn’t solve the real problem. The plan offers $1 billion to increase gas production and lower energy bills, but Tim says there’s no actual gas shortage—just poor policy. For 50 years, gas was cheap in Australia, but after export facilities opened, prices jumped and local use dropped. Tim believes we should focus on keeping enough gas at fair prices for Australians before exporting it. He wants prices below $10, which is still high, but better than what people are paying now. Read more

Highlights Federal election has been called this morning – for 3rd May 2025 Budget – not much climate or energy information in the budget, perhaps there’s more to be announced during the election. BYD’s amazing stats. Matt Pollard’s oped in RenewEconomy. 120,000 R&D staff!!! EV momentum Tim shares overall EV market stats, perhaps a lowlight for Tesla. Caroline’s Wang work on electricity generation stats. Highlighting the first two months of 2025 performance. Harry Martin’s International Solar PV and Bess Manufacturing Trends. See Climate Energy Finance report. Read more

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) quarterly gas report highlights electrification of gas use is contributing to a downward trend in forecast gas consumption for commercial, residential and industrial users. Since the 2024 Gas Statement of Opportunity (GSOO), AEMO notes domestic gas consumption has continued to decline. The reduction in gas consumption has coincided with noticeably higher retail gas prices compared to recent years and slower growth of new building approvals. Read more

Hoping to avoid 25% tariffs, Japanese and European officials have agreed to deals analysts are describing as financially questionable. Meanwhile, […] Read more