Facial recognition technology: Is there a path forward for the Australian retail sector?
The lawful use of facial recognition technology, particularly in a commercial retail setting, is increasingly challenging under Australian privacy law. Even where the primary purpose for deploying the technology is for crime or fraud prevention purposes, consent must be obtained (other than in limited circumstances), from all individuals who facial images are captured and used […]
EPBC Act Reforms: What you need to know
On 28 November 2025, the Australian Parliament passed long-awaited changes to the Environment and Biodiversity Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) have now been introduced, marking the biggest update to Australia’s environmental laws in decades. While the amendments are quite detailed, they are intended to make approvals more efficient, decisions more transparent […]
How AI is redefining the future of VPPs
Introduction Australia’s electricity market is changing quickly, driven by the rapid growth of distributed energy resources (DER). New technologies are turning rooftops into miniature power stations and allowing batteries to supply backup power that helps keep the grid stable, flexible, and resilient. Virtual power plants (VPPs) play a key role in this transition by linking […]
Investing in Clean Tech: What Clean Tech Investors Really Care About
1. Introduction Australia is establishing itself as a clean tech hub, with exciting new ventures ranging from record breaking solar and battery projects to cutting-edge waste-to-energy solutions, carbon capture and pioneering sustainable aviation fuel initiatives that turn sugarcane waste into jet fuel. The growth in the clean tech space has been driven by accelerating investment […]
Solar panel end-of-life management: managing stewardship obligations
Australia’s first wave of utility scale solar farms will reach end-of-life within the next decade, creating significant decommissioning and recycling opportunities. As the need for decommissioning renewable projects increase, so does the regulatory scrutiny on end-of-life management. Additionally, whilst historically managed under voluntary schemes and private investment, these are likely to be insufficient to support […]
New Energy Expert Insights: Navigating the W&I Insurance Landscape for Renewable Energy Projects with Eliza Grant, Howden
In this edition of New Energy Expert Insights, we sat down with Eliza Grant from Howden to explore the evolving warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurance market for renewable energy projects, examining how insurers are adapting to the sector’s unique risks and what deal parties need to know to secure optimal coverage. Eliza is the Head […]
Raeesa Lambat
Raeesa is an experienced lawyer in the New Energy team with a background in commercial real estate gained across three top tier Australian law firms. Alongside her established property practice, she is expanding into projects matters and developing her capability in projects law, with a view to becoming both a property and a projects lawyer. […]
Reducing risk, boosting scale: the role of robotics in renewable energy projects
The increasing use of robotics in renewable energy construction and infrastructure reflects a broader global trend that is driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and automation.[1] As AI continues to evolve, the use of robotics and maximising automation has shifted from a productivity-enhancing convenience to a strategic necessity in Australia’s clean energy […]
The AI energy crisis: When innovation outpaces infrastructure
The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving profound transformation in global data infrastructure and energy demand. The integration of AI into a range of commercial and industrial products, from refrigerators to virtual assistants, is placing mounting pressure on both domestic and foreign energy networks. With global data centre demand projected to surge 165% by […]
New Energy Bulletin: Parliament passes landmark reform to strengthen Australia’s energy regulator
Parliament has passed the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Energy Regulator Separation) Bill 2025 (Bill), marking a transformative moment for Australia’s energy regulation framework.[1] Commencing on 1 July 2026, the Bill legally separates the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and establishes the AER as a standalone non-corporate Commonwealth […]
It’s a GO! Australia launches the Guarantee of Origin Scheme
On 3 November 2025, Australia officially launched its national Guarantee of Origin Scheme (GO Scheme), establishing a voluntary certification framework for verifying renewable electricity and low-emissions products.[1] The GO Scheme establishes an accounting framework for quantifying the emissions of designated commodities.[2] Under this framework, two distinct certificates can be issued: the tradable Renewable Electricity Guarantee […]
Decommissioning Security Framework for renewable energy projects
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) and Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) have jointly released a Decommissioning Security Framework (Framework), the first nationally coordinated model for managing financial assurance of decommissioning obligations.[1] The Framework creates strategic opportunities and risk allocation challenges. The development of the Framework responds to a growing regulatory and commercial gap in how […]
