Energy
Energy
Canberra rules out data centre carve-outs from renewable rules
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has ruled out exemptions for any state or territory from the federal government's renewable energy rules for data centres, rejecting overtures from Queensland and the Northern Territory to use existing fossil-fuel assets to attract AI infrastructure
Energy
Citi says the world is burning through oil stockpiles at 3 million barrels a day
Global observable oil inventories declined by roughly 3 million barrels per day between February and August 2026, totalling a draw of about 519 million barrels across the period, according to Citi research released on 20 August 2026. Six months. Half a billion barrels.
Australia
Australia to spend $3.2 billion stockpiling diesel and jet fuel by 2030
Australia holds roughly 37 days of diesel cover. The government has opened consultation on spending 3.2 billion dollars to stockpile a billion litres of diesel and jet fuel by 2030.
Energy
Bowen asks energy rule-maker to force data centres onto renewables
Chris Bowen has formally asked the Australian Energy Market Commission to rewrite the National Electricity Rules so new data centres bring their own renewable supply. Queensland refused to endorse the framework, and the NT is weighing a gas-fed campus.
Markets
Shell profits double to $9.8bn as Iran war lifts oil prices
Shell posted a quarterly profit of $9.84 billion, more than double the $4.26 billion recorded in the same period a year earlier, making it the company's second-highest quarter on record. The figures came out of Shell's second-quarter results webcast on 30 July 2026.
Energy
Eraring gets third closure date in four years, now April 2029
Eraring Power Station was supposed to be a solved problem. Origin Energy submitted notice to the Australian Energy Market Operator on 17 February 2022 to retire the 2.88 GW Lake Macquarie facility as early as August 2025, a full seven years ahead of its original 2032 schedule.
Energy
55 Fuel Tankers Racing to Australia as Diesel Shortages Persist
More than 50 ships headed for Australian terminals as demand surges 30 per cent. Farmers urge supermarkets to absorb fuel cost pressure.
Energy
Government Models 25% Gas Export Tax as Crossbench Demands Action
Treasury is modelling the effects of a flat 25% levy on gas exports. The gas industry warns it would 'stop investment' and worsen energy security.
Travel
Jet Fuel Doubled in a Fortnight. Melburnians Are Cancelling Europe.
Flight Centre reports a 34% spike in European trip cancellations as airfares surge following the Iran conflict.
