The ACT Labor Government has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers as the external adviser for the market testing stage of the Territory's planned solar power facility. The government is expected to call for construction proposals in early 2009.

A South Australian portable appliance manufacturer has been awarded a grant from Australian Industry Group to further its business opportunities in testing and tagging instruments.

Electrical contractor, Apps Electrics has been recognised for its apprenticeship and youth training programs in the 2008 Melbourne Business Awards.

A major office and retail project in Brisbane has been awarded a 6-Star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, recognising it as a world leader in environmentally sustainable office design.

Telstra's non-compliant bid for the National Broadband Network raises plenty of questions about their strategy for this massive project. Telco industry analyst Ovum presents its opinion on what's behind the bid.

To assist in dealing with local skills shortages, the ACT government hosted the National Conference on Overseas Skills that addressed overseas qualifications, offshore assessment arrangements, skills shortages and skilled migration.

The PT1199SS ‘Power on a Chain’ power board is designed to provide electrical power to work areas via overhead means, removing the hazards of tripping or electrocution from electrical leads strewn across floors.

O'Donnell Griffin has been contracted by Origin Energy to install domestic solar energy systems nation-wide, which has the potential to secure up to $20 million in revenue for them over the next five years.

Defying the current downward economic trends, a recent ABS reports shows that Australia's construction and engineering markets enjoyed considerable growth last quarter.

NECA's National Excellence awards for 2008 showcased Australia's best and most innovative electrical and communications installations during the year, recognising the remarkable achievements of a number of contracting firms from across the country.

NECA is encouraging today's youth to develop an interest in pursuing a career in electrotechnology at high schools through its Electrotechnology Secondary School Student Awards. Students from across the country were recognised for their innovations and achievements in the recent 2008 Awards.

With the release of the 2007 Wiring Rules, several other associated electrical standards have been updated to coincide with these new requirements. As part of this updating, the Australia/New Zealand standard for marinas and watercraft has been revised to be consistent with the new Wiring Rules.

Australia's best electrical apprentices were recognised recently in the NECA Apprentice of the Year Awards, in 'Commercial/Domestic', 'Industrial Automation & Communications' and 'Industrial' categories.

A $3.5 million initiative by the Queensland govenment to give away 1 million CFLs aims to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions by 72,000 tonnes each year.

A new distribution agreement between Rockwell Automation and Inaco Automation Controls and NHP Electrical Engineering Products will provide broader access to Allen-Bradley automation products across Australia and New Zealand along with increased local technical and application support.