Australia has abundant sunshine and warm temperatures, making it suitable for harnessing solar energy. The country’s vast open spaces offer one of the highest solar radiation levels, perfectly positioning solar power as Australia’s potential major energy source.
Beyond solar power, Australia is also blessed with other renewable sources such as wind, hydropower, and other bioenergy technologies. Its coastal areas benefit from strong and consistent winds, making wind energy a strong contributor to the energy grid. Meanwhile, Australia’s extensive river systems offer hydropower opportunities, especially in regions with reliable water flow all year.
Indeed, Australia’s renewable energy landscape is changing, leading to a bright future powered by clean energy sources. As electricity statistics in Australia reveal increasing usage of renewable energy, including solar, wind, and hydropower, it becomes clearer that the benefits go far beyond lowering carbon emissions. Renewable energy sources support independence and stabilise energy costs.
This guide highlights Australia’s solar, wind, hydropower, and other green energy sources, revealing statistics and the latest trends. Understanding these clean energy sources can help homeowners and business owners make better decisions in their energy usage and adopting green energy.
Current Landscape of Renewable Energy in Australia
Australia’s renewable energy sector is changing, influenced by its government and citizens’ commitment to resilient and sustainable energy sources.
Types of Renewable Energy Sources
Australia’s energy sources are diverse, each contributing to the country’s sustainable energy goals. The following table summarises these resources:
| Renewal Energy Type | Description | Share in Australia’s Energy Mix |
|---|---|---|
| Solar | Harnesses the sun’s rays using solar panels | 14% |
| Wind | Utilises wind turbines to convert wind energy to electricity | 11% |
| Hydro | Generates power from water movement through dams and rivers | 6% |
| Biomass | Uses organic materials including agricultural and forestry waste | Around ½ of renewable energy supply in 2019. |
The data on renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower, was from 2022. In the same year, 32% of the country’s electricity generation was from renewable sources, the highest on record.
Total Renewable Energy Production
Over the past decade, renewable energy generation has more than doubled. The following table shows the total renewable energy production in Australia:
| Renewal Energy Type | 2022 to 2023 Pj | 2022 to 2023 Share (percent) | 2022 to 2023 Growth (percent) | 10 Year Average Annual Growth (percent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomass | 177.2 | 32.0 | 3.9 | -0.4 |
| Wood and other | 84.9 | 15.3 | -1.5 | -0.6 |
| Bagasse | 92.3 | 16.7 | 9.3 | -0.3 |
| Municipal and industrial waste | 4.6 | 0.8 | -1.6 | N/A |
| Biogas | 18.0 | 3.3 | -2.4 | 2.7 |
| Landfill gas | 13.5 | 2.4 | -2.9 | N/A |
| Other biogas | 4.6 | 0.8 | -0.8 | N/A |
| Biofuels | 6.2 | 1.1 | 0.5 | -6.7 |
| Ethanol | 5.0 | 0.9 | 3.6 | N/A |
| Biodiesel | 0.0 | 0.0 | -82.5 | N/A |
| Other liquid biofuels | 1.2 | 0.2 | -1.2 | N/A |
| Wind | 113.0 | 20.4 | 7.8 | 14.7 |
| Hydropower | 60.0 | 10.8 | -2.0 | -0.9 |
| Solar PV | 151.1 | 27.3 | 21.0 | 27.1 |
| Solar hot water | 23.5 | 4.2 | 10.1 | 6.0 |
| TOTAL | 553.6 | 100.0 | 8.1 | 5.2 |
Note the significant contribution of solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass to energy production. It is estimated that more homes and businesses will adopt renewable resources.
Key Insights Into Solar Energy Trends in Australia
Solar energy is the top clean energy resource in Australia because of the country’s abundant sunshine. Let us focus on renewable energy growth in Australia, considering solar energy trends and statistics.
Number of Solar Installations Nationwide
The latest solar energy statistics in Australia as of June 2024 reveal more than 3.8 million solar PV installations in Australia. These can produce over 36.6 gigawatts of power for homes, businesses, and industries. Here is a breakdown of solar panel installations in the country as of June 2022:
- Residential: 3.2 million, making 32% of total homes
- Commercial and industrial: 78,000 rooftop systems
Solar Energy’s Contribution to the National Grid
Solar is the largest renewable energy source, generating 16% of the total electricity. Wind follows closely at 12%, while hydropower is at 6%.
Growth Trends in Solar Adoption
In the past decade, Australia has seen a dramatic increase in solar installations due to decreasing technology costs and enhanced awareness of solar’s environmental benefits. This growth shows no signs of slowing, expanding in more homes and businesses. Also, strong government support and growing incentives for solar use remain key drivers in the country’s renewable energy usage.
Analysing Wind Energy Statistics and Growth in Australia
Wind power adoption has increased, making it a vital part of Australia’s renewable energy strategy. Here are the trends and statistics for wind energy use.
Total Capacity and Installed Wind Farms
Wind power is one of Australia’s main renewable energy sources, providing enough power to support around 7.1% of the country’s total electricity demand. ARENA reported that at the end of 2018, Australia had 94 wind farms, generating 16 GW of wind generation capacity.
Contribution to Australia’s Renewable Energy Mix
Energy.gov revealed that 2023 wind energy will contribute 12% to the renewable energy mix. Solar and wind are primary divers in green energy, generating more than double the power in the last decade. Wind generation increased by 6% in 2023, an average of 13% yearly since a decade ago.
Future of Wind Energy Development
Wind energy generation is expected to grow in the coming years, with its capacity forecasted to increase by 47 GW by 2035. The following are the future of wind energy:
- Wind power will represent 22% of the total installed generation capacity by 2035.
- Wind energy generation is expected to reach 26.8 billion kWh in 2024, an annual growth rate of 8.02% from 2024 to 2029.
The following are upcoming wind farm projects in Australia expected to be completed in 2024:
- Alpha Wind Farm in VIC with a 350 MW capacity
- Bravo Wind Project in SA with a 200 MW capacity
- Delta Wind Development in NSW has a 450 MW capacity.
Exploring Hydropower and Diverse Renewable Sources in Australia
Hydropower is a renewable energy source that produces electricity through the kinetic energy of flowing or falling water. Typically, hydropower plants use dams or river currents to generate power.
Beyond solar, wind, and hydropower, Australia also harnesses clean energy from biomass and geothermal resources. These resources have incredible potential in the country’s transition to cleaner energy use.
Role of Hydropower in Australia’s Energy Mix
Hydroelectricity has provided 5 to 7% of the total energy supply for decades. The country has more than 120 hydroelectric power plants, mostly in southeastern Austrasouth-eastern. The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme is popular, while three Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) systems are part of the national electricity grid.
Biomass and Emerging Renewable Sources
Biomass material is renewable and mostly from plants and animals. According to a report by the IEA Bioenergy, around half of renewable energy comes from biomass as a form of bioenergy for industrial heating. However, direct use of biomass is around 15%.
Geothermal energy is energy from the Earth’s crust and has been used as a heat or electric power source in many countries. In Australia, several places with hot granite could be developed to harness geothermal energy. These resources usually lie along tectonic plate boundaries where most volcanoes are found.
Australia is developing two geothermal projects: enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and hot sedimentary aquifers (HSA). Both projects are still in their early development stages. An estimate suggests geothermal power shallower than 5 km and hotter than 150 degrees Celsius could provide the country’s energy requirements for up to 26,000 years!
Regional Breakdown of Renewable Energy Use in Australia
Let us now break down green energy usage in Australia from the different states, starting with NSW.
NSW Renewable Energy Adoption
There has been a significant improvement in NSW’s adoption of renewable energy due to the state government’s push to promote green energy usage. Here are energy transition statistics for NSW:
- Solar: NSW leads Australian states for rooftop solar systems, with over 800,000 homes and small businesses using this technology.
- Wind: There are 16 major wind farms in NSW with a total capacity of 1,800 MW. Wind energy is a major supplier of energy in the region.
- Renewable energy capacity: NSW has 13,500 MW of energy generation capacity, which is around 53% of the state’s generation capacity.
- Projects: NSW has around 200 large-scale projects dedicated to renewable energy, which are expected to have a total capacity of 35,400 MW.
- Green hydrogen industry: NSW is supporting the use of green hydrogen energy.
Comparison of Renewable Energy Across States
Understanding renewable energy by state can help identify how Australians adopt green energy solutions to power their homes and businesses. Here is a summary
- Tasmania: This state led Australia in renewable energy usage in 2023, at 99.4%. Tasmania was the first state to have 100% renewable energy consumption in 2020.
- South Australia: 76.8%
- Victoria: 39.6%
- New South Wales: 35.5%
- Western Australia: 35.1%
- Queensland: 27.5%
Regional Disparities in Renewable Energy Access
Access to renewable energy sources in Australia varies between urban and rural areas. In metropolitan regions, there is greater access to green technologies due to investments and connectivity to the grid. Installing renewable energy systems such as rooftop solar panels becomes easier.
While rural or remote areas may be rich in natural resources, they may face various challenges, such as higher installation costs, limited equipment, and logistical issues. These concerns slow down adoption rates.
Assessing the Environmental Benefits of Renewable Energy Expansion
Understanding their impact can help shape energy policies as renewable energy solutions expand in Australia. Expansion brings many opportunities and considerations as renewable sources enhance energy production and consumption.
Reduction in Carbon Emissions
The Australia emissions projections report in 2023 revealed a significant reduction in carbon emissions in the electricity sector (46%) between 2023 and 20230. The report cited the replacement of fossil fuel generation by renewable sources supported by federal, state, and territory plans.
Energy Security and Sustainability Benefits
Renewable energy usage promotes energy security by diversifying sources and reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. Locally generated solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass help maintain a stable energy supply unaffected by global fuel market fluctuations.
Renewables also support long-term sustainability, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the environmental effects of fossil fuel use.
Economic Advantages of Renewable Energy in Australia
The country’s shift to renewable energy brings many economic opportunities aligning with global renewable energy trends.
Job Creation in the Renewable Sector
Adopting renewable energy not only supports sustainability but also brings about job opportunities. Here are statistics on job growth in Australia’s renewable energy sector:
- 26,850 jobs from 2018 to 2019, a 27% increase from the past year and the highest employment levels in the industry since 2011 to 2012.
- 1.35 million jobs projected by 2050 through renewable energy investments, including 1.22 million jobs in the construction industry and 129,600 operators and maintenance posts
Cost Savings for Consumers
Renewable energy adoption leads to substantial cost savings for residential and business consumers. Renewable energy reduces electricity bills by lowering operating costs and improving energy efficiency. Government incentives and rebates for using renewable energy systems also promote affordability, making clean energy systems more accessible for everyone.
Government Incentives and Rebates
The following are available rebates for renewable installations in different Australian states.
| State | Rebates |
|---|---|
| Victoria | Up to $1,400 rebate for solar panel installations plus interest-free loans of the same amount |
| Tasmania | $1,875 for installing a 5kW solar panel |
| South Australia | Up to $2,000 for installing a solar battery system, rebate on solar panels up to 100kW |
| Western Australia | Up to $1,500 for a 1.5kW to 2.5kW solar panel system, $2,700 for a 3kW to 4kW system, $4,000 for a 5kW to 6kW system |
Here are additional programs that support renewable energy usage:
- Home Energy Support: Up to 50% rebate for eligible households, capped at $2,500 and an interest-free loan for the remainder.
- Sustainable Household Scheme: Zero-interest loans of $2,00 to $15,000 for installing energy-efficient upgrades. This includes solar panel and battery installations.
- Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs): These are carbon-offset shares assigned to a registered agent to get an upfront discount or sold in the Renewable Energy Certificate Registry.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much of Australia’s energy is renewable?
As of 2023, renewable energy sources in Australia account for 39% of the country’s electricity generation.
2. Which state has the highest renewable energy usage in Australia?
Tasmania has the highest renewable energy usage, with 99.4% renewable energy adoption in 2023.
3. What is the most common type of renewable energy in Australia?
The most common type of renewable energy is solar power, which will generate 14% of Australia’s electricity in 2022.
4. How much can homeowners save by switching to renewable energy?
The amount a homeowner can save by switching to solar depends on their electricity usage, the size of the solar panel installation, and the amount of sunlight their location receives. Generally, consumers can save hundreds of dollars in electricity maintenance and operating costs.
5. Are there government incentives for installing renewable energy systems?
Australia has several government incentives for installing renewable energy systems. These incentives encourage green energy systems and provide financial support for smaller installations, such as rooftop panels and solar water heaters.
Conclusion
The growth of renewable energy usage in Australia includes a significant increase in solar, wind, and other clean energy sources. These contribute to a sustainable and resilient energy future, enhancing energy security for consumers.
Are you considering switching to renewable energy for your home or business? Contact Local Electrician Sydney to speak to our emergency electricians for expert consultations and advice on solar panel and battery installations. Call 02 9119 1344 to speak to our expert team today!
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