The Australian Parliament has received the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act reform bills, marking the government’s latest attempt to overhaul environmental legislation that has faced criticism for delaying renewable energy projects and contributing to biodiversity decline.

Developer Eku Energy has submitted its 400MW/1,600MWh Monduran battery energy storage system (BESS) project for environmental assessment under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

Powerlink Queensland is seeking federal approval for transmission infrastructure connecting AGL Energy’s 2,000MWh Tuckeroo battery energy storage system (BESS) to the Western Downs Substation in Australia.

Two battery energy storage systems (BESS) from Origin Energy and Eku Energy, totalling 2,200MWh, have been submitted to Australia’s EPBC Act.

The Australian government has granted approval for the 1.4GWh Garoo solar-plus-storage project being pursued by Jinko Power Australia.

Hydrostor has secured US$55 million in funding from Export Development Canada (EDC) to advance development activities for its 200MW/1,600MWh Silver City Energy Storage Centre project in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia.

A 12GWh pumped hydro project and a 1,200MWh battery energy storage system in New South Wales (NSW) have been submitted to Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

Acen Australia has submitted plans for a 440MW/1,760MWh BESS in Queensland to the Australian government’s EPBC Act.

Stor-Energy has submitted plans for a 730MWh battery storage project in New South Wales to Australia’s EPBC Act.

Marinus Link Pty has secured FID and EPBC Act approval for the first stage of its HVDC interconnector connecting Victoria and Tasmania.