Australia's largest datacentre operator, NextDC, has faced a major setback in plans to double the size of its west Melbourne facility. The expansion requires more electricity, and the planned upgrade by Jemena to taller concrete poles has been delayed. Delays stem from safety concerns, limited site access due to community and stakeholder opposition, and the local council not approving 22-metre poles. NextDC's share price fell from more than $9 to $5.69 last week. The companies are now considering alternative pole locations through industrial zones or underground connections.
Snowy Hydro chief executive Dennis Barnes has admitted the cost of Snowy 2.0 has blown out, saying "we got it wrong" during a Senate hearing. The revised target cost has risen to $22.2 billion, with an allowance for a $25 billion scenario, and full commissioning is now due in late 2029. Mr Barnes blamed poor design and missing scope, and said cancelling the project would make things worse. He also said the company will need government support by the middle of next year.
Wholesale electricity prices fell 27 per cent from the July to September period last year, despite record winter demand. The Australian Energy Market Operator attributes the drop to rooftop solar, wind, large-scale solar and battery storage. Batteries are shifting record amounts of renewable energy into the evening, when demand is higher. Victoria accounted for almost all of the 1.3 per cent growth in demand. Renewable generation overtook gas for the first time, while gas-fired generation fell 34 per cent.
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Victorian households have expressed frustration over a new state government scheme offering three hours of free electricity each day. Customers cannot simply add the benefit to their current plans and must switch to a specific account. One householder, Michelle, said her quarterly bill rose by $80 and that her retailer, Red Energy, was not passing on the benefit. The Midday Power Saver standing offer, which applies from 11am to 2pm, requires eligible households to have a smart meter. Customers with unresolved retailer complaints are advised to contact the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria.
Australia has roughly 160 to 250 operational data centres, with about 90 to 225 more proposed or under construction. Most are concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne, driven largely by demand for artificial intelligence. Supporters point to jobs, investment and energy efficiency, while critics warn of rising electricity use, water consumption and e-waste. The Australian Energy Market Operator forecasts data centres could account for about 13 per cent of national electricity demand within a decade. In March the federal government released national expectations for new facilities, covering energy and water use.
A new report from the NT Council of Social Service says almost half of Northern Territory households faced food insecurity in 2025 because of rising prices. Foodbank Australia estimates 46 per cent of NT households were affected, above the national average of 33 per cent. Its authors have called for income support payments to be raised and the government's low-cost essentials subsidy to cover more fresh food.
Melbourne’s postcode 3029 has the highest number of rooftop solar installations in Australia, with over 28,000 systems installed since 2001. Australia leads the world in solar electricity generation per person, with about 36% of households having solar systems. The country is on track for a record year of solar installations in 2026, driven by government incentives, high electricity prices, and suitable housing designs. Rooftop solar now supplies nearly 14% of the country’s electricity, fundamentally changing the electricity system and reducing grid demand.
Victoria's energy safety regulator has reported nearly 50 incidents in two years where gardeners accidentally damaged or dislodged home electricity service lines. With spring cleaning underway, residents are urged to inspect overhead electrical lines before pruning trees or trimming vegetation. Contact with live wires can result in electric shock, fires, or power outages. Energy Safe Victoria advises checking for powerlines and service connections, maintaining safe distances, and consulting professionals when unsure. The regulator also warns against unsolicited tree-pruning services and highlights the No Go Zone regulations for working near powerlines.
