Australia: Renewables

Australia's renewable energy certification system is undergoing fundamental change. The Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) continues to operate until 31 December 2030 — meaning large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) can still be created and liable entities remain subject to surrender obligations until that date.

As energy shocks intensify and Australia's fuel-security vulnerabilities become more acute, businesses relying on imported liquid fuels face mounting pressure on margins and operations. This analysis examines how firms can move beyond short-term crisis management to build structural resilience through contract redesign, operational efficiency, fleet transformation, and supply chain reconfiguration.

As fuel prices soar amid global tensions and other Australian states offer free public transport, NSW Premier Chris Minns refuses to follow suit, citing concerns about revenue loss while simultaneously supporting fuel tax cuts. The NSW Greens argue that free public transport would provide immediate economic relief, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and benefit essential workers most affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

Standalone battery energy storage system developments are subject to Qld's new renewables planning regime (introduced earlier this year for wind & solar farms).

Our analysis of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) Public Portal has shown improvements in the timeframes for controlled action decisions...

Australia is at a pivotal moment in clean technology development, driven by aligned international and domestic initiatives.

Since Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's last update on the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) in May 2024, the Commonwealth Government has announced key changes to the upcoming indicative tender rounds for 2025.

The NSW Government has committed to implementing the Strategic Benefit Payment (SBP) scheme, which will see eligible landholders receive payments for hosting transmission infrastructure.

Welcome to the June 2025 edition of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's Australian ESG bulletin, ‘Keeping Up with ESG'.