EnergyAustralia Secures Approval for $1 Billion Battery Project

EnergyAustralia has received approval from the New South Wales government for its $1 billion Mt Piper battery energy storage system. This significant investment will bolster the state’s energy grid and enhance energy security. The project, located near Lithgow, will have a capacity of 500 megawatts / 2,000 megawatt-hours, enabling it to store excess energy during off-peak periods and release it when demand is high. This will help to stabilize the grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuel-based power generation. The battery system is expected to power over 200,000 homes and create over 170 jobs during the construction phase. EnergyAustralia has also committed to investing up to $2 million in the Lithgow City Local Government Area through a Voluntary Planning Agreement. This project marks a significant step forward in Australia’s transition to a clean energy future. By investing in large-scale battery storage, EnergyAustralia is helping to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy supply for the state of New South Wales.
New Station Project Takes Shape in Bishop Auckland

A major milestone has been reached in the construction of a new bus station in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. The installation of over 120 hot-rolled steel girders, weighing a total of 23.49 tonnes, marks a significant step forward in the project. The new bus station, being delivered by Esh Construction on behalf of Durham County Council, is designed to provide modern and accessible facilities for passengers. It will feature eight stands, improved passenger information, a retail kiosk, toilet facilities, a changing places unit, and a parent and child facility. The project also incorporates sustainable technologies, including solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and a green roof, to minimize its environmental impact. Cllr Richard Bell, Deputy Leader of Durham County Council, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The new bus station is a key part of our regeneration plans for Bishop Auckland to bring new life to the town center and make it a thriving place to live, work, and visit.” Richard Saville, Esh’s Project Manager, added, “We are delighted with the progress on this important project. The next phase will focus on the construction of the external envelope, including the timber beam roof and masonry work.” The bus station is expected to…
Vast Renewables Secures $30 Million Funding for Next-Generation CSP

Vast Renewables, a leading developer of concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, has secured up to $30 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). This additional funding will accelerate the deployment of Vast’s next-generation CSP solution, delivering clean, dispatchable power and heat. ARENA’s support will enable Vast to scale up its Australian manufacturing operations, producing advanced CSP components for both domestic and international projects. Additionally, the funding will be used to finalize the development of the Vast Solar 1 (VS1) project, a 30MW solar thermal power plant with 8 hours of storage located in Port Augusta, South Australia. VS1 will generate clean, dispatchable electricity, contributing to a more reliable and sustainable energy mix in Australia. It will also provide the green hydrogen needed to power the co-located Solar Methanol 1 (SM1) project, a world-first initiative to produce green methanol for shipping and other industries. Vast’s innovative CSP technology offers a compelling solution to the challenges of intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind. By storing solar energy as heat, CSP can provide reliable, dispatchable power 24/7, regardless of weather conditions. With its proven technology and strong track record, Vast is well-positioned to play a leading role in…
Bureau Veritas Acquires The APP Group in Strategic Infrastructure Project

Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services, has announced the acquisition of The APP Group, a leading provider of assurance, compliance, and project management services in Australia. This strategic move will bolster Bureau Veritas’ position in the Asia-Pacific region and enhance its capabilities in the infrastructure and building sectors. The APP Group brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record in delivering high-quality services to clients across Australia. By combining the expertise of both companies, Bureau Veritas will be able to offer a comprehensive suite of services, including asset management, construction supervision, and independent verification and certification. This acquisition aligns with Bureau Veritas’ LEAP | 28 strategy, which aims to expand the company’s leadership in the Buildings and Infrastructure sector. By diversifying its portfolio and investing in attractive regional markets, Bureau Veritas is well-positioned to capitalize on future growth opportunities. Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas, commented: “When closed, The APP Group acquisition will mark a significant milestone in our LEAP | 28 growth strategy for the Buildings & Infrastructure business in Asia Pacific. This move will not only strengthen our position in the Australian market but will also provide us…
Greensteel Australia and Danieli Partner to Build World’s First Green Hydrogen-Powered Steel Mill

Greensteel Australia, a leading green steel producer, and Danieli, a global leader in steelmaking technology, have announced a groundbreaking partnership to build a 600,000-tonne-per-year rolling mill powered entirely by green hydrogen. This state-of-the-art facility, to be located in New South Wales, Australia, will set a new global standard for zero-emission steel production. Danieli will provide its advanced technology and expertise to ensure the mill’s efficient and sustainable operation. “It’s inspiring to partner with Greensteel Australia on this world-first hydrogen-powered rolling mill. Greensteel Australia’s commitment to clean, sustainable steelmaking is leading the industry toward a greener future. We’re thrilled to support their vision with our technology and work together to set a new standard in zero-emission steel production”, said Danieli Group’s CEO, Mr Giacomo Mareschi. “At Greensteel Australia, we’re proud to partner with Danieli on this groundbreaking project. By using 100% green hydrogen, we’re not just building a new rolling mill, we’re setting a new example for clean steel production. This project shows our commitment to making steel in a way that’s better for the environment and for future generations”, said Green Steel Australia’s President, Mr Mena Ibrahim. The new mill will feature a reheating furnace powered by green hydrogen, eliminating…
Elevate Uranium funded to advance Koppies andU-pgrade™ following strongly supported $25MInstitutional Placement

Elevate Uranium Ltd (ASX: EL8) (“Elevate Uranium” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that it has received binding commitments for a two-tranche placement of fully paid ordinary shares (“New Shares”) to raise $25 million (before costs) at $0.325 per New Share (“Placement”). Approximately 32.4 million New Shares will be issued immediately under Tranche 1 of the Placement utilising the Company’s existing placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A. The issue of a further approximately 44.5 million New Shares under Tranche 2 of the Placement is subject to shareholder approval which will be sought at a general meeting expected to be held in early December 2024(“General Meeting”). The Company is also pleased to receive strong support from one of the strategies of leading Australian fund manager, Paradice Investment Management Pty Ltd (“Paradice”). Paradice has committed to subscribe for New Shares in the Placement resulting in a pro-forma holding of 9.9% (~$12.4M) in Elevate Uranium on completion of the Offer. The Placement also introduced a number of new, high quality institutional, sophisticated and professional investors to the share register, whilst also being well supported by existing significant shareholders of the Company. Discovery Capital Partners, Cumulus Wealth and Wallabi Group…
CNMI SBDC and CWA Celebrate Successful Women’s Entrepreneurship Project Cohort 4

The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network (CNMI SBDC) at the Northern Marianas College, in partnership with the Commonwealth Women’s Association (CWA), recently awarded certificates to participants who successfully completed the 2024 Women’s Entrepreneurship Project Cohort 4. This year’s program, designed to foster a focused learning environment, limited enrollment to the first 30 registrants. All participants who attended all four sessions received certificates of completion. The four-day training series covered a range of essential topics for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Sessions included: The program fostered active participation, with sessions often extending to accommodate participant questions. Fatima Celis, Vice President of locally-owned Rice to Meat You, a catering business that prepares and delivers pre-packaged platters and food plates, shared her praises on the sessions presented by First Hawaiian Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Bank of Guam and CEDA, “For small businesses looking to expand, it was very helpful for us to find this type of training where we could come to one place to hear from banks on what small businesses need to know about the loan process and what we also need to do if we want to improve our financials to receive that approval.” Frank Celis, President and Co-owner of Rice…
Tonga Power Ltd and JICA Partner to Strengthen Grid Operations

Tonga Power Limited (TPL) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have joined forces to enhance grid operations on Tongatapu Island. The project aims to strengthen the Kingdom of Tonga’s renewable energy infrastructure and promote sustainability. The collaboration will address challenges within the existing energy management system (EMS) and micro-grid systems (MGS), ensuring efficient integration of renewable energy sources. This initiative will provide critical upgrades to monitoring and control systems, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Key Activities: This partnership builds upon JICA’s previous support for Tonga’s energy sector, including the installation of solar and wind power generation systems. By addressing both technical and infrastructure needs, this project will enable Tonga to increase its reliance on renewable energy and achieve its national goals of energy independence and climate resilience. Mr. Finau Moa, CEO of Tonga Power Limited, stated: “This collaboration with JICA is a critical step forward in ensuring that Tonga’s energy infrastructure can support its ambitious renewable energy targets. We are excited to strengthen our grid operations and make substantial progress towards a sustainable future.” Ms. Rika Uemura, JICA Resident Representative, stated: “We are proud to partner with TPL in this project, which demonstrates the strength of…
Fiji Government Launches Water and Sanitation Project to Address Growing Urbanization

The Fijian government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the growing urbanization of the Nadi-Lautoka urban area and ensure adequate water and sanitation services. The plan, outlined under the Water Sector Strategy 2050, includes investments totaling approximately $1.617 billion over the next 25-30 years. Minister for Public Works Hon Ro Filipe Tuisawau emphasized the need for significant infrastructure upgrades to meet the increasing demand for water and sanitation services, particularly in light of the region’s growing tourism industry. The plan includes investments of $397 million for water infrastructure and $1.22 billion for sanitation. Several key projects are already underway, including the rehabilitation of the Warange to Saru Water Treatment Plant Pipeline, the Warange Dam, and the Saru Water Treatment Plant. These aging infrastructures have been affected by disasters and require upgrades to improve their reliability and capacity. The Fiji Water Board’s raw water trunk mains, which have remained largely unchanged for 64 years, will also be rehabilitated using modern materials to increase their conveyance capacity and reliability. The total investment in these existing improvement works amounts to $9.7 million, with completion expected by December. Despite these ongoing projects, a water supply gap of approximately 5.4 million liters per day…
Virgin Australia Partners with Sabre to Modernize Airline Retailing

Sabre Corporation and Virgin Australia have announced a strategic partnership to modernize Virgin Australia’s retailing capabilities through the implementation of SabreMosaic, a revolutionary AI-driven platform designed to transform airline retailing. This partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies as Virgin Australia becomes the flagship customer for SabreMosaic. The collaboration underscores the companies’ commitment to innovation and industry leadership, as well as Virgin Australia’s aim to be an early mover in the industry transition to offer-and-order based modern retailing. SabreMosaic offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that cover the entire travel lifecycle, including Offer, Order, Settlement, and Delivery. Powered by Google’s AI capabilities, SabreMosaic’s Data Intelligence toolkit helps airlines make better data-driven decisions. Virgin Australia will benefit from SabreMosaic’s ability to create personalized offers, optimize pricing, manage complex transactions, and ensure smooth interactions throughout the traveler’s journey. The implementation of SabreMosaic will enable Virgin Australia to enhance its guest experience and gain a competitive advantage in the market. This partnership builds upon the long-standing relationship between Sabre and Virgin Australia, who have been working together for many years. The expanded agreement includes continued use of SabreSonic PSS and related solutions, as well as the distribution of Virgin Australia’s traditional EDIFACT…