Australia diving into renewables
Renewable energy usage and plans
Australia has rapidly moved into renewable energy in the past seven years, starting in 2016.
| Area | % Renewables 2016 | % Renewables 2023 | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 17% | 36% | Renewables Plans |
| Tasmania | 93% | 99% | 150% by 2030 |
| S Australia | 48% | 72% | 100% by 2027 |
| Victoria | 16% | 37% | 50% by 2030 |
| W Australia | 13% | 35% | 70% by xx |
| NSW | 12% | 31% | Halve emissions by 2030 |
| Queensland | 5% | 23% | 70% 2032 |
| ACT | 100% | No gas use by 2045 |
The figures are primarily based on the Clean Energy Council: Reports for these years.
Australia
Australia is increasing renewable generation and generating cheaper electricity. As our renewable generation increases, our electricity-based industries will become more cost-competitive and their products more marketable in a carbon-constrained world.
South Australia
- Moved from 48% renewable energy in 2016
- to 72% in 2023, and
- Expects to reach 100% by 2027
- .
- Generates 72% of its electricity from cheap wind and solar,
- Led the world with grid-scale batteries
- Now has three big batteries and many more coming
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- The ACT already runs on 100% renewables.
- They reached 100% by contracting to get all their electricity from wind and solar generators.
- When wholesale electricity prices surged in the first three months of 2019, these contracts saved the ACT $4 million.
- They are on track to reach their goal of zero net emissions by 2045.
(ACT beats its 2020 emissions target with a 45% cut since 1990: Renew Economy: 4 Dec 2020)
Batteries
The number of grid-scale batteries in Australia is increasing rapidly.
See this interactive map from Renew Economy.
Coalition nuclear news release
The Coalition suggests that Australia build nuclear generators. One problem with this is that the first nuclear generator might start in about 2040, and by this time, the Australian grid could have 90% renewable electricity. These nuclear reactors will produce expensive electricity compared to cheap solar and wind energy, so they will rarely be able to sell their nuclear electricity. They have missed the boat, particularly in South Australia which will generate all the electricity it needs with renewables by 2027.
Related pages
- The main page on Australia’s progress to becoming a renewable energy superpower
- The suggested next page: Companies are moving to renewables
Updated 23 July 2024