ICC Sydney, the government-owned convention, exhibition, and entertainment venue in Sydney, has announced plans to expand its rooftop solar network. It will create what the New South Wales (NSW) government says will be the largest solar farm in any central business district (CBD) in the Southern Hemisphere. The expanded system will cover more than 18,400 m² across its Convention Centre, Exhibition Centre, and Entertainment Centre. The solar installation is expected to generate 2.6 GWh of electricity annually.
The additional generation will help ICC Sydney operate on 100% renewable electricity through a combination of rooftop solar and renewable energy procurement. Based on annual solar generation, the venue is expected to become the fourth-largest solar-powered convention center globally and the largest outside the US, according to the NSW government.
Australian state of Victoria has dropped plans for the proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). VicGrid, the state’s electricity transmission network company, said it would not recommend the zone for formal declaration after further technical assessments and community consultation. It cited limited grid capacity in the area, with several solar projects already operating, approved, or seeking connections in the region. It also cited community concerns over biodiversity, flooding and the importance of agricultural land.
VicGrid said it could assess other parts of central northern Victoria for future REZs through subsequent transmission planning processes. Victoria officially declared five onshore REZs earlier this year when it also launched consultation for Central North REZ. Another REZ, Gippsland Shoreline REZ, is devoted to offshore wind energy (see Australia’s Victoria Announces 5 Renewable Energy Zones).
ACEN Corp., an Ayala-led renewable energy company, is investing up to PHP 9.24 billion in two renewable energy projects in Zambales, Philippines. The company has provided up to PHP 6 billion to its subsidiary Sanmar Solar Inc. for the SanMar Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which will have 1,000 MWh of storage capacity and be integrated with an existing solar plant. It is also providing up to PHP 3.24 billion to GIGA ACE 8 Inc. to construct the 300-MW DC Palauig 2 Solar project, transmission line, and substation, according to local media reports.
Shell Energy Philippines (SEPH), the retail electricity supplier of Shell companies in the Philippines, has signed a second 15-year power supply agreement with Greenlight Renewables Holdings Inc. The deal covers an additional 120 MW from Phase 2 of the San Isidro Solar Power Project in Leyte. Together, the two agreements cover 240 MW of solar capacity. Both project phases are now energized, with Phase 1 coming online in October 2025 and Phase 2 on July 30, 2026. According to Shell, the project adds renewable power to the Visayas grid and expands electricity supply options for its commercial and industrial (C&I) customers.
FTC Solar, the US-based solar tracker company, has begun shipments for the 330 MW Fraser Coast Solar Project in Queensland, Australia. Global Power Generation (GPG), the power generation arm of Naturgy, is developing the project, which also includes a 180 MW battery storage system. FTC will provide its 1P terrain-following tracker solution for the project. It is expected to begin operations in 2028.
Australian renewable energy developer Frontier Energy has begun site mobilization for Stage One of its Waroona Renewable Energy Project in Western Australia. The project includes a 132 MW solar facility and an 81.5 MW/6.9-hour BESS component. Major construction work is expected to begin later in 2026, with the first solar trackers and panels scheduled for installation in February 2027. First generation is targeted for 2028. It calls the project the ‘largest’ solar-battery project in the Australian state.
