New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
The changing face of Australia’s energy generation
7/12/2022
6 min read
Feature
Australia has great potential for renewable energy generation, with the highest solar radiation of any continent on earth and vast regions with the perfect conditions for wind farms. Energy and climate writer Jan Wisniewski puts the evolving renewable energy picture in perspective.
On 6 November 2022, solar power, both utility- and small-scale, accounted for 60% of generation in Australia’s main electricity grid. This seems an impressive feat for a country that is known for its coal dependence. Indeed, a close look at Australia’s electricity mix reveals how the renewable energy transition has picked up steam in recent years.
According to the Clean Energy Council’s latest report on the country, renewable sources, such as wind, solar and hydropower, accounted for 32.5% of Australia’s total electricity supply in 2021. This was a 5% increase from 2020 and marked an all-time high for renewable energy, led by a surge in small-scale solar.
Australia has great potential for renewable energy generation. Not only does it have the highest solar radiation per square metre of any continent on Earth, vast regions have the perfect conditions for wind farms. However, challenges remain for Australia’s new Labour government to make the most of this potential and increase renewable capacity.