According to Deloitte Access Economics, the total value of major engineering and construction projects in Australia remained unchanged in the September quarter, but planned projects reached a record high, largely fueled by investments in solar, wind, battery storage, and hydrogen projects. The weak Australian economy has started impacting investments outside of these rapidly growing industries. The data revealed that $1.12 trillion worth of projects were recorded in the quarter, with new projects balancing out completions or removals from the database. Reasons cited for the subdued results included lower demand, higher costs, and capacity constraints due to a shortage of workers. The investment monitor also indicated a 20% increase in investment projects over the past year, with the value of planned projects hitting $617 billion in the September quarter, representing a $107 billion increase compared to the previous year. Notably, 90% of the growth in planned projects was attributed to investments in renewable energy projects. Deloitte Access Economics partner Stephen Smith emphasized the need for significant investment as Australia moves towards net zero emissions. He highlighted the surge in the value of electricity supply projects and the rising demand for critical minerals and commodities such as hydrogen, which are driving new investments in mining and manufacturing. While the short-term investment outlook appears subdued, there are positive expectations for an increase in overall investment in 2025-26. Businesses are focusing on new technologies to boost productivity and ensure operational security. The investment monitor also identified $23 billion worth of data center projects across Australia, indicating a continued trend towards technological advancement in various sectors.