Latest news with #GreatWestern
SBS Australia
15-06-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
Solar batteries are about to get cheaper. But some existing solar panel users are sceptical
From 1 July, the government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program will provide a 30 per cent discount on the upfront cost of installing eligible small-scale battery systems. Source: SBS, AAP Homeowners hoping to reduce their power bills by installing solar panels are now considering whether new discounts for solar batteries will be worth it. From 1 July, the federal government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program will provide a 30 per cent discount on the upfront cost of installing eligible small-scale battery systems. But homeowners like Victorian resident Lee Bolger, who invested in solar panels a few years ago, are now experiencing dramatic drops in their feed-in tariffs and are sceptical about the added benefit of batteries. Feed-in tariffs — credits issued by energy retailers — allow solar owners to earn money for any unused electricity they generate, which is fed into the electricity grid. The rates vary across different states and electricity providers. Adam Corrigan, an energy efficiency expert and founder of Your Energy Friend, says each household is different, and there are many other energy-saving options to consider before spending thousands on solar and batteries. Bolger, who lives in the Victorian town of Great Western, says he installed 30 panels on his eight-bedroom home in March 2023. He rents out rooms in his house to boarders and says they use a lot of electricity as they often have the air-conditioning and heating on. His 12-kilowatt system cost him $12,680 after rebates and other discounts, which he estimated he could recoup in around six years. But the feed-in tariff at the time was around 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), and now he only gets around 6 cents. More drops are expected, with comparison website Finder saying the minimum rate for tariffs in Victoria will drop to 0.04 cents from 1 July, although better rates are available depending on the provider. Fifteen years ago, they were as high as 60 cents. Bolger estimates his original feed-in tariff of 12c per kWh would have saved him around $1,000 a year. When combined with the estimated $1,000 worth of electricity he saves relying on energy generated from his own system, he receives a total benefit of $2,000 per year from his solar panels. If the feed-in tariff drops to practically zero, the benefit from his panels will reduce to around $1000 a year, meaning the time Bolger would need to pay off his panels would almost double. He says the experience has made him "indifferent" about the economic benefits of solar and he won't be recommending it to others. Bolger doesn't believe installing a battery will make a difference, because his solar panels won't generate enough excess energy to store — especially in winter when it's often raining and dark — to make the purchase worthwhile. "My summer bills were ridiculously low. In winter, you will not generally get enough charge into the battery to make a big difference," he says. Corrigan says other households might be in a different position to Bolger, as the average NSW home only uses about 20kWh of electricity per day. The NSW-based energy expert, who has a 1.5 kilowatt solar system, says he uses less than 10 kilowatt-hours a day, although his cooktop is powered by gas. "[For] most homes, a 10 kilowatt or 14 kilowatt battery will get you through the night easily," he says. "However, if you are cranking your air conditioner and you've got ducted air conditioning, it's probably only going to last you two, three hours." Corrigan says batteries will work for some households and the new federal rebate does make the cost more affordable. A battery makes so much sense, because you can store that excess electricity you're generating in the middle of the day and then use it in the early evening. Finder has estimated the cost of a 10kWh battery could come down to between $6,713 – $8,904 due to the federal discount. "In Australia, the average household uses about 15 to 20kWh of electricity per day," a Finder spokesperson says. "If most of your energy consumption is in the evening and you're paying a single electricity rate — let's use 32.34c per kWh as an average based on single-rate plans in our database — then with a 10kWh battery and using 80 per cent of its capacity, you could save about $850 a year," a Finder spokesperson says. "However, the actual savings can vary depending on the type of electricity plan you have, the rates you pay, your solar panel setup, your energy consumption patterns, and how much electricity you export back to the grid." While the federal battery discount applies nationally, the states and territories also have programs that can be used to further reduce the cost. Corrigan recommends considering other options before investing in expensive solar panels and battery systems. He suggests Bolger should review his insulation and energy efficiency measures to reduce his electricity consumption. The first thing he recommends for households is to analyse their power bills and shop around to get the best deal. Making your house more energy-efficient should be the next priority before considering solar panels and, finally, batteries. If you want to make your home more comfortable, get your insulation sorted and do your draft proofing. That's your best return on investment. That's your best bang for buck. Corrigan says simple changes such as installing heavy-lined curtains and a box pelmet (which goes around the top of the curtain) can be very effective at keeping your home warm, and are much cheaper than double-glazed windows, for example. Using a thermal camera around the home can also show gaps in roof insulation where batteries might have been moved. "You only need a 5 per cent gap in that insulation blanket, and the effectiveness of that insulation — the whole blanket — diminishes by almost a half," Corrigan says. "When you get into bed tonight and you pull the doona up, just cut some holes in it, see how well it works." When considering whether to invest in a battery system, Corrigan says the first consideration is cost, as they are expensive and many people don't have the money sitting in the bank. Those who already have a solar system should check whether their inverter is battery-compatible, as this could also raise warranty issues if it needs to be replaced. Another consideration is what your next car will be. Corrigan says in one to two years, electric vehicles will be capable of vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid functionality, allowing EV batteries to be used to power your home. "Some people are already doing it," he says. They are an attractive option because EV batteries generally have a huge capacity of around 50-70kWh. "You could run your home for days on it."
SBS Australia
14-06-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
New discounts could reduce energy costs from 1 July but there are other options
From 1 July, the government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program will provide a 30 per cent discount on the upfront cost of installing eligible small-scale battery systems. Source: SBS, AAP Homeowners hoping to reduce their power bills by installing solar panels are now considering whether new discounts for solar batteries will be worth it. From 1 July, the federal government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program will provide a 30 per cent discount on the upfront cost of installing eligible small-scale battery systems. But homeowners like Victorian resident Lee Bolger, who invested in solar panels a few years ago, are now experiencing dramatic drops in their feed-in tariffs and are sceptical about the added benefit of batteries. Feed-in tariffs — credits issued by energy retailers — allow solar owners to earn money for any unused electricity they generate, which is fed into the electricity grid. The rates vary across different states and electricity providers. Adam Corrigan, an energy efficiency expert and founder of Your Energy Friend, says each household is different, and there are many other energy-saving options to consider before spending thousands on solar and batteries. Bolger, who lives in the Victorian town of Great Western, says he installed 30 panels on his eight-bedroom home in March 2023. He rents out rooms in his house to boarders and says they use a lot of electricity as they often have the air-conditioning and heating on. His 12-kilowatt system cost him $12,680 after rebates and other discounts, which he estimated he could recoup in around six years. But the feed-in tariff at the time was around 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), and now he only gets around 6 cents. More drops are expected, with comparison website Finder saying the minimum rate for tariffs in Victoria will drop to 0.04 cents from 1 July, although better rates are available depending on the provider. Fifteen years ago, they were as high as 60 cents. Bolger estimates his original feed-in tariff of 12c per kWh would have saved him around $1,000 a year. When combined with the estimated $1,000 worth of electricity he saves relying on energy generated from his own system, he receives a total benefit of $2,000 per year from his solar panels. If the feed-in tariff drops to practically zero, the benefit from his panels will reduce to around $1000 a year, meaning the time Bolger would need to pay off his panels would almost double. He says the experience has made him "indifferent" about the economic benefits of solar and he won't be recommending it to others. Bolger doesn't believe installing a battery will make a difference, because his solar panels won't generate enough excess energy to store — especially in winter when it's often raining and dark — to make the purchase worthwhile. "My summer bills were ridiculously low. In winter, you will not generally get enough charge into the battery to make a big difference," he says. Corrigan says other households might be in a different position to Bolger, as the average NSW home only uses about 20kWh of electricity per day. The NSW-based energy expert, who has a 1.5 kilowatt solar system, says he uses less than 10 kilowatt-hours a day, although his cooktop is powered by gas. "[For] most homes, a 10 kilowatt or 14 kilowatt battery will get you through the night easily," he says. "However, if you are cranking your air conditioner and you've got ducted air conditioning, it's probably only going to last you two, three hours." Corrigan says batteries will work for some households and the new federal rebate does make the cost more affordable. A battery makes so much sense, because you can store that excess electricity you're generating in the middle of the day and then use it in the early evening. Finder has estimated the cost of a 10kWh battery could come down to between $6,713 – $8,904 due to the federal discount. "In Australia, the average household uses about 15 to 20kWh of electricity per day," a Finder spokesperson says. "If most of your energy consumption is in the evening and you're paying a single electricity rate — let's use 32.34c per kWh as an average based on single-rate plans in our database — then with a 10kWh battery and using 80 per cent of its capacity, you could save about $850 a year," a Finder spokesperson says. "However, the actual savings can vary depending on the type of electricity plan you have, the rates you pay, your solar panel setup, your energy consumption patterns, and how much electricity you export back to the grid." While the federal battery discount applies nationally, the states and territories also have programs that can be used to further reduce the cost. Corrigan recommends considering other options before investing in expensive solar panels and battery systems. He suggests Bolger should review his insulation and energy efficiency measures to reduce his electricity consumption. The first thing he recommends for households is to analyse their power bills and shop around to get the best deal. Making your house more energy-efficient should be the next priority before considering solar panels and, finally, batteries. If you want to make your home more comfortable, get your insulation sorted and do your draft proofing. That's your best return on investment. That's your best bang for buck. Corrigan says simple changes such as installing heavy-lined curtains and a box pelmet (which goes around the top of the curtain) can be very effective at keeping your home warm, and are much cheaper than double-glazed windows, for example. Using a thermal camera around the home can also show gaps in roof insulation where batteries might have been moved. "You only need a 5 per cent gap in that insulation blanket, and the effectiveness of that insulation — the whole blanket — diminishes by almost a half," Corrigan says. "When you get into bed tonight and you pull the doona up, just cut some holes in it, see how well it works." When considering whether to invest in a battery system, Corrigan says the first consideration is cost, as they are expensive and many people don't have the money sitting in the bank. Those who already have a solar system should check whether their inverter is battery-compatible, as this could also raise warranty issues if it needs to be replaced. Another consideration is what your next car will be. Corrigan says in one to two years, electric vehicles will be capable of vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid functionality, allowing EV batteries to be used to power your home. "Some people are already doing it," he says. They are an attractive option because EV batteries generally have a huge capacity of around 50-70kWh. "You could run your home for days on it."
Powys County Times
08-06-2025
- Powys County Times
Celebrating the Powys railway which won the heart of royalty
IT IS not surprising the the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway holds a special place in the heart of so many. Indeed, it is even close to the heart of King Charles III who visited back in his princely days and was met by awe-struck locals and children alike. The railway was built in 1903 to link farming communities with the market town of Welshpool and provide them with an outlet for their produce. Operated at first by the Cambrian Railways, the line was taken over by the Great Western and then British Railways. After 1931 the railway only carried freight traffic and was finally closed in 1956 but in 1963 a group of enthusiasts rallied round and began to progressively re-open the line until it became the railway you see today. Today the 'Llanfair Train' sits in the platform at Welshpool Raven Square with the engine steaming gently at the head of charming balconied carriages which promise the traveller a wonderful ride along a country by-way. The train negotiates a viaduct and river bridge, climbs the notoriously steep Golfa Bank and steams serenely through beautiful countryside. The railway marked its centenary in 2003 and several pictures from the event are included in our nostalgic reel while others range from the start of the 2000s. Gareth Evans and Alan Doig in front of Sir Drefaldwyn. (Image: County Times.) Alun Evans, James Batson and Jennifer Adey hard at work on track maintenance. (Image: County Times.) New Members Day at the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway. Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway Centenary memories from 2003. Pictured are Graham Hall and Triston Lister. (Image: County Times.) Celebrating the centenary in 2003. (Image: County Times.) HRH Prince Charles on his visit to Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway. Centenary celebrations at Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway in 2003. (Image: County Times.)
Wales Online
05-06-2025
- Wales Online
Rail passengers to face disruption within days as major engineering works take place
Rail passengers to face disruption within days as major engineering works take place The disruption will affect services between June 9 and June 20 A Transport for Wales Class 197 train in Cardiff Central Major engineering work will be taking place between Cardiff Central and Newport starting next week, Transport for Wales has said. Between Monday, June 9, and Friday, June 13, trains will still run, but will use the slower relief set of tracks on this part of the route. As a result, most main line south Wales train services will be amended, with services having extended journey times. Services between Cardiff and Newport will also be busier than usual as the number of services running between Cardiff and Newport will be reduced. Due to the Severn Tunnel also being closed from June 9 to 20, Great Western Railway will only be running an hourly London service via Gloucester on this section of the line. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Customers are advised to check their journey plans before they travel. Southbound services from Manchester Piccadilly, Holyhead, Chester, Crewe, Hereford and Shrewsbury to Cardiff Central will have extended journey times between Cwmbran and Cardiff Central. Article continues below Northbound services from Cardiff to these destinations will depart Cardiff Central earlier, allowing them to run from their usual departure times from Newport onwards. The 5.43am Swansea to Manchester Piccadilly will not call at Craven Arms (8.25am) and Church Stretton (8.34am). Ebbw Vale / Maesteg / Cheltenham Ebbw Vale to Cardiff Central services will be diverted and call additionally at Newport with extended journey times. Trains from Cardiff to Ebbw Vale will depart Cardiff Central earlier than usual. Most Ebbw Vale services will not extend to Maesteg except for some late-night services. West Wales Many services to and from West Wales (Swansea, Carmarthen, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Fishguard Harbour) will be affected, with services being retimed, journey times extended, some services not running and through services to and from Swansea, Cardiff and Manchester in particular being affected. Visit Transport for Wales' service amendments webpage for more details on the works. Article continues below Great Western services in June and July will be impacted, as well as a week of services in October. You can read more about that by clicking here.
Wales Online
03-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Rail disruption to hit Wales across the summer
Rail disruption to hit Wales across the summer Passengers can expect longer journeys, reduced services and some bus replacements as a result of the works Great Western services to and from south Wales will be impacted by works (Image: Matthew Horwood ) Rail works will cause weeks of disruption to services to and from south Wales. Rail improvement works will affect trains via Bristol Parkway as well as train services between Bristol and south Wales will be impacted, operator Great Western Railway said. GWR say the works in Bristol will eventually mean more rail services but that track improvements and changes to signalling are needed. Great Western services in June and July will be impacted, as well as a week of services in October. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Bristol to South Wales Monday, June 9 to Friday, June 20 and Sunday, June 29 There will be no direct trains between Bristol and south Wales on these dates due to track renewal and maintenance work. Services between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour start/terminate at Bristol Parkway Services between Cardiff Central and Taunton or Exeter St Davids start/terminate at Bristol Temple Meads Article continues below Monday, June 9 to Saturday, June 14 plus Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20 Customers travelling between Bristol and south Wales should change at Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa, where trains will still be running to and from South Wales. Trains between London and south Wales will use an alternative route between Swindon and Newport – stopping at Gloucester instead of Bristol Parkway. A limited train service will still run between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway. Replacement buses are also planned between Bristol Parkway and Severn Tunnel Junction/Newport, but these will be limited services only. Sunday, June 15 Rail replacement services are planned to operate between Bristol Parkway and Newport or Cardiff Central on this date. Trains will still run between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway, plus between Newport and Swansea or Carmarthen. Trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads will also be reduced to hourly services. Sunday, June 29 Customers travelling between Bristol and south Wales can change at Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa, where trains will still be running to/from south Wales. Trains between London and south Wales will be diverted via Gloucester, not stopping at Bristol Parkway, until around 4pm. There will be a limited train service between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway. Replacement buses are also planned between Bristol Parkway and Newport until 3.30pm. Bristol Parkway to Swindon Monday, July 7 to Sunday, July 13 Trains between south Wales and London will have to use an alternative route between Bristol Parkway and Swindon due to tunnel drainage work between Bristol Parkway and Swindon. It means journey times will be around 30 minutes longer and most services for south Wales will be only run hourly rather than half-hourly. Bristol to south Wales Sunday, July 20 Track renewal and maintenance work will affect train services via the Severn Tunnel until midday, plus drainage work is also planned between Bristol Parkway and Swindon. It means trains between London and south Wales will use an alternative route between Swindon and Newport – stopping at Gloucester instead of Bristol Parkway until around 4pm. Some trains between Bristol Parkway and London Paddington will use an alternative route between Bristol Parkway and Swindon – meaning journeys will be 30 minutes longer. As an alternative, customers can still travel via Bristol Temple Meads during this period. Trains between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour or Exeter St Davids will start/terminate at Bristol Parkway instead of Cardiff Central until around 11.30am. Replacement buses are planned between Bristol Parkway and Newport. Bristol and Bath Spa Monday, October 27, to Thursday, October 30 Article continues below Rail improvement work will affect services between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa. This week is half term in Wales. Part of the works are because Bristol Temple Meads is having a major transformation.
