Sophie Vorrath

Sophie is editor ofOne Step Off The Gridand deputy editor of its sister site,Renew Economy. She is the co-host of theSolar Insiders Podcast.Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.

Recent articles by Sophie Vorrath

Dutton blames renewables for rising power prices, but bills would be much higher without them

Dutton blames renewables for rising power prices, but bills would be much higher without them

Australia’s shift to wind, solar and battery storage has shielded households and businesses from much higher power bills than they would otherwise be paying, a new report has found, debunking Peter Dutton’s constantly repeated claim that renewables are to blame for rising electricity prices.

Dutton's stuff-ups: N-plan could add up to $600 per year to bills by 2030

Dutton's stuff-ups: N-plan could add up to $600 per year to bills by 2030

A new report has torpedoed Peter Dutton’s claim that the Coalition’s nuclear power plan for Australia would be 44% cheaper than Labor’s plan for renewables, finding instead that it would inflate average consumer electricity bills by up to 41% between now and 2030.

Is it a cost-of-living election or a nuclear power election? Peter Dutton can’t have it both ways

Is it a cost-of-living election or a nuclear power election? Peter Dutton can’t have it both ways

The 2025 federal election is still some months away, but the unofficial campaign is off and racing, with the prime minister and the leader of the federal opposition both traversing the country this week to court votes on the issue of the day – cost of living.

Renewables superpower or climate coward? Albanese needs to make a choice before election

Renewables superpower or climate coward? Albanese needs to make a choice before election

A major new report has detailed the “extraordinary economic opportunity” for Australia to replace its coal and gas exports with decarbonised commodities, and reap six to eight times more than the typical revenues it earns from fossil fuels, and help other major economies to meet their own climate goals.

South Australia joins Denmark in elite club of two, 'pushing the boundaries' of renewable energy integration

South Australia joins Denmark in elite club of two, 'pushing the boundaries' of renewable energy integration

South Australia has joined an elite global club, after being listed alongside Denmark as the only other energy system in the world to be successfully managing significant volumes of surplus variable renewable energy across the year – albeit with a lot of hard work ahead.

Nuclear won’t cut it: CCA says Australia must go all in on renewables to meet climate targets

Nuclear won’t cut it: CCA says Australia must go all in on renewables to meet climate targets

Australia will not reach net zero emissions by 2050 under the federal Coalition’s nuclear power plan, according to a comprehensive new report that puts the shift to 100% renewables at the centre of all plausible pathways to meet the global climate target.

'Gas Trojan horse': Coalition nuclear push slammed as fossil wedge aimed at renewables

'Gas Trojan horse': Coalition nuclear push slammed as fossil wedge aimed at renewables

The chair of Australia’s largest group of clean energy investors has described the federal Coalition’s push for nuclear power as a “gas Trojan horse,” and a political wedge intended to douse investment in renewables and prolong the use of fossil fuels.

New England wind project shelved as local MP Barnaby Joyce takes anti-renewable vitriol to new low

New England wind project shelved as local MP Barnaby Joyce takes anti-renewable vitriol to new low

Plans to build a 340MW wind farm and a big battery in the New England Renewable Energy Zone in NSW have been shelved by developer Ark Energy, following a “change of mind” from some of the landowners involved in the project.

As earth records hottest year, Coalition digs in against climate action and renewables

As earth records hottest year, Coalition digs in against climate action and renewables

The science is in. The European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service has overnight confirmed that 2023 was the earths warmest year on record: 0.16C warmer than the previous record year (2016); 0.6C warmer than the 1991-2020 average; 1.48C warmer than the pre-industrial period.

Australia nears half-way mark to 82% renewables

Australia nears half-way mark to 82% renewables

Renewable energy sources supplied nearly 40 per cent of electricity demand in Australia over the course of 2023, according to data from OpenNEM, edging the nation closer to the halfway mark on its target of 82 per cent renewables by 2030.

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