Renewable energy in Australia

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Australian renewable electricity generation (gigawatt-hours), 2021[1]
Source Generation (GWh)
Wind
26,804
Small solar
18,607
Hydro
16,128
Large solar
9,167
Bioenergy
3,187
Medium solar
787

Renewable energy in Australia includes wind power, hydroelectricity, solar PV, heat pumps, geothermal, wave and solar thermal energy.

Australia renewable electricity production by source

In 2021, Australia produced 74,679 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy, which accounted for 32.5% of electricity production.[1]

Australia produced 378.7 PJ of overall renewable energy (including renewable electricity) in 2018, which accounted for 6.2% of Australia's total energy use (6,146 PJ).[2] Renewable energy grew by an annual average of 3.2% in the 10 years between 2007 and 2017, and by 5.2% between 2016 and 2017. This contrasts to growth in coal (-1.9%), oil (1.7%) and gas (2.9%) over the same 10 year period.[2]

Similar to many other countries, development of renewable energy in Australia has been encouraged by government energy policy implemented in response to concerns about climate change, energy independence and economic stimulus.[3]

Table

Albany Wind Farm, Western Australia
Renewable fuel type 2018 PJ Share of renewables (%)
Biomass 205.4 54.2
Municipal and Industrial waste 2.6 0.7
Biogas 15.0 4.0
Biofuels 7.1 1.9
Hydro 58.6 15.5
Wind 45.3 12.0
Solar PV 29.1 7.7
Solar hot water 15.7 4.2
Total 378.7 100.0

Timeline of developments

2001

A mandatory renewable energy target is introduced to encourage large-scale renewable energy development.

2007

Several reports have discussed the possibility of Australia setting a renewable energy target of 25% by 2020.[4][5] Combined with some basic energy efficiency measures, such a target could deliver 15,000 MW new renewable power capacity, $33 billion in new investment, 16,600 new jobs, and 69 million tonnes reduction in electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions.[5]

2008

Greenpeace released a report in 2008 called "Energy [r]evolution: A Sustainable Energy Australia Outlook", detailing how Australia could produce 40% of its energy through renewable energy by 2020 and completely phase out coal-fired power by 2030 without any job losses.[6] David Spratt and Phillip Sutton argue in their book Climate Code Red that Australia needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions down to zero as quickly as possible so that carbon dioxide can be drawn down from the atmosphere and greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced to less than 325 ppm CO2-e, which they argue is the upper "safe climate" level at which we can continue developing infinitely. They outline a plan of action which would accomplish this.[7]

2010

Mandatory renewable energy target was increased to 41,000 gigawatt-hours of renewable generation from power stations. This was subsequently reduced to 33,000 gigawatt-hours by the Abbott government, in a compromise agreed to by the Labor opposition.[8] Alongside this there is the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, an uncapped scheme to support rooftop solar power and solar hot water[9] and several State schemes providing feed-in tariffs to encourage photovoltaics.

ZCA launch their "Stationary Energy Plan" showing Australia could entirely transition to renewable energy within a decade by building 12 very large scale solar power plants (3500 MW each), which would provide 60% of electricity used, and 6500 7.5 MW wind turbines, which would supply most of the remaining 40%, along with other changes. The transition would cost A$370 billion or about $8/household/week over a decade to create a renewable energy infrastructure that would last a minimum of 30 to 40 years.[10]

2012

In 2012, these policies were supplemented by a carbon price and a 10 billion-dollar fund to finance renewable energy projects,[11] although these initiatives were later withdrawn by the Abbott government.[12]

Of all renewable electrical sources in 2012, hydroelectricity represented 57.8%, wind 26%, bioenergy 8.1%, solar PV 8%, large-scale solar 0.147%, geothermal 0.002% and marine 0.001%; additionally, solar hot water heating was estimated to replace a further 2,422 GWh of electrical generation.[13]

2015

The Australian Government ordered the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation to refrain from any new investment in wind power projects, saying that the government prefers the corporation to invest in researching new technologies rather than the "mature" wind turbine sector.[14]

2017

An unprecedented 39 projects, both solar and wind, with a combined capacity of 3,895 MW, are either under construction, constructed or would start construction in 2017 having reached financial closure. Capacity addition based on renewable energy sources is expected to increase substantially in 2017 with over 49 projects either under construction, constructed or which have secured funding and will go to construction.[15] As of August 2017, it was estimated that Australia generated enough to power 70% of the country's households, and once additional wind and solar projects were complete at the end of the year, enough energy would be generated to power 90% of the country's homes.[16]

2019

In 2019, Australia met its 2020 renewable energy target of 23.5% and 33 terawatt-hours (TWh).[17]

2020

With the 2020 targets being achieved, many of the Australian states and territories committed to a greater 40% target for renewable energy sources by 2030, including Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory.[18]

2022

In July 2022, a report published by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering estimated that Australia would be generating around 50 per cent its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2025, rising to 69 per cent by 2030. By 2050, power networks would be able to use 100 per cent green energy for periods. However the report said that investment was also needed, not only in new renewable sources, but in services needed during the transition period - hydroelectric power, batteries and probably gas for a while.[19]

Hydro power

Tumut 3, the largest hydropower station in Australia with 1,800 MW. Part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

In 2021, hydro power supplied 21.6% of Australia's renewable electricity generation or 7.0% of Australia's total electricity generation.[1]

The largest hydro power system in Australia is the Snowy Mountains Scheme constructed between 1949 and 1974, which consists of 16 major dams and 7 major power stations, and has a total generating capacity of 3,800 MW. The scheme generates on average 4,500 GWh electricity per year.[20] A major extension of the scheme is ongoing as of 2020. Dubbed Snowy 2.0, it consists in adding a 2,000 MW pumped hydro storage capacity by connecting two existing reservoirs with tunnels and an underground power station. It is due to complete by 2026.[21]

Hydro Tasmania operates 30 power stations and 15 dams, with a total generating capacity of 2,600 MW, and generates an average of 9,000 GWh of electricity per year.[22] There are also plans to upgrade Tasmania's hydro power system to give it the capability to function as pumped hydro storage under the 'Battery of the Nation' initiative.[23]

Australian Hydroelectricity Generation by Year[24][25][23][26][27][28][29][30][1]
Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Generation (Gwh) 19243 14555 14046 17747 12920 17002 14166 14638 16128
% of Renewable Electricity 55.4 45.9 40.1 42.3 33.9 35.2 25.7 23.3 21.6
% of Total Electricity 8.2 6.2 5.9 7.3 5.7 7.5 6.2 6.4 7.0

Wind power

Main article: Wind power in Australia
Windy Hill Wind Farm, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland

In 2021, wind power supplied around 35.9% of Australia's renewable electricity and around 11.7% of Australia's total electricity.[1] Eight new wind farms were commissioned in 2021 with a combined capacity of 1,746 MW, bringing the total installed capacity to more than 9.1 GW. As of the end of 2021, 19 wind farms with a combined capacity of 3.2 GW were either under construction or financial committed nationally.[1]

Wind power in Victoria is the most developed with 8,655 GWh generated in 2021, followed by South Australia with 5,408 GWh, New South Wales with 5,384 GWh, Western Australia with 3,407 GWh, Tasmania with 1,859 GWh, and Queensland with 1,772 GWh.[1]

The largest wind farm in Australia is the Coopers Gap Wind Farm, which opened in 2021 with a capacity of 453 MW. This overtook the 420 MW Macarthur Wind Farm, which had held the title since 2013.[1][31][32]

Top 5 Operational Wind farms by Capacity (MW)[1]
Rank Name Capacity (MW) Commissioned
1 Coopers Gap Wind Farm 453 2021
2 Macarthur Wind Farm 420 2012
3 Dundonnell Wind Farm 336 2021
4 Snowtown Wind Farm 270 2014
5 Sapphire Wind Farm 270 2018
Australian Wind Electricity Generation by Year[24][25][23][26][27][28][29][30][1]
Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Generation (Gwh) 9259 9777 11802 12903 12873 16171 19487 22605 26804
% of Renewable Electricity 26.6 30.9 33.7 30.8 33.8 33.5 35.4 35.9 35.9
% of Total Electricity 3.9 4.2 4.9 5.3 5.7 7.1 8.5 9.9 11.7

Solar photovoltaics

Main article: Solar power in Australia
See also: Feed-in tariffs in Australia

In 2021, solar power supplied around 38.3% of Australia's renewable electricity and around 12.4% of Australia's total electricity.[1] Nineteen new large-scale (>5 MW) solar farms were commissioned in 2021 with a combined capacity of 1,209 MW, bringing the total installed large-scale capacity to more than 5.1 GW. As of the end of 2021, 42 large-scale solar farms with a combined capacity of 3.6 GW were either under construction or financial committed nationally.[1]

Small-scale solar power (<100 kW) is the dominant contributor to Australia's overall solar electricity production as of 2021, producing 65% of solar's total electricity output (18,607 Gwh of 28,561 Gwh total).[1] In 2021, 3.3 GW of new small-scale capacity was installed across 389,577 installations, bringing total small-scale capacity to 16.65 GW. [1]

As of December 2021, Australia's over 3.04 million solar PV installations had a combined capacity of 25,322 MW of which 4,613 MW were installed in the preceding 12 months.[33]

Top 5 Operational Large-scale solar farms by Capacity (MW)[1]
Rank Name Capacity (MW) Commissioned
1 Darlington Point Solar Farm 275 2021
2 Kiamal solar farm 200 2021
3 Wellington Solar Farm 174 2021
4 Coleambally Solar Farm 150 2018
5 Daydream Solar Farm 150 2019
Australian Solar PV Electricity Generation by Year[24][25][23][26][27][28][29][30][1]
Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Generation (Gwh) 3820 4952 5931 7659 8615 11694 18126 22510 28561
% of Renewable Electricity 11.0 15.6 16.9 18.3 22.6 24.2 32.9 35.8 38.3
% of Total Electricity 1.6 2.1 2.5 3.2 3.8 5.2 7.8 9.9 12.4

Solar thermal energy

Main article: Solar thermal energy in Australia

Solar water heating

Main article: Solar hot water in Australia

Australia has developed world leading solar thermal technologies, but with only very low levels of actual use. Domestic solar water heating is the most common solar thermal technology.[34] During the 1950s, Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) carried out world leading research into flat plate solar water heaters. A solar water heater manufacturing industry was subsequently established in Australia and a large proportion of the manufactured product was exported. Four of the original companies are still in business and the manufacturing base has now expanded to 24 companies. Despite an excellent solar resource, the penetration of solar water heaters in the Australian domestic market was only about 5% in 2006, with new dwellings accounting for most sales.[35] By 2014, around 14% of Australian households had solar hot water installed[36] It is estimated that by installing a solar hot water system, it could reduce a family's CO2 emissions up to 3 tonnes per year while saving up to 80% of the energy costs for water heating.[37]

While solar water heating saves a significant amount of energy, they are generally omitted from measures of renewable energy production as they do not actually produce electricity. Based on the installed base in Australia as of October 2010, it was calculated that solar hot water units would account for about 7.4% of clean energy production if they were included in the overall figures.[38]

Solar thermal power

White Cliffs Solar Power Station, Australia's first solar power station operated between 1981 and 2004

CSIRO's National Solar Energy Centre in Newcastle, NSW houses a 500 kW (thermal) and a 1.5 MW (thermal) solar central receiver system, which are used as research and development facilities.[39][40]

The Australian National University (ANU) has worked on dish concentrator systems since the early 1970s and early work lead to the construction of the White Cliffs solar thermal station. In 1994, the first 'Big Dish' 400 m2 solar concentrator was completed on the ANU campus. In 2005, Wizard Power Pty Ltd was established to commercialise the Big Dish technology to deployment.[41] Wizard Power has built and demonstrated the 500m2 commercial Big Dish design in Canberra and the Whyalla SolarOasis[42] will be the first commercial implementation of the technology, using 300 Wizard Power Big Dish solar thermal concentrators to deliver a 40MWe solar thermal power plant.[43] Construction is expected to commence in mid-late 2013.

Research activities at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales have spun off into Solar Heat and Power Pty Ltd (now Ausra), which was building a major project at Liddell Power station in the Hunter Valley. The CSIRO Division of Energy Technology has opened a major solar energy centre in Newcastle that has a tower system purchased from Solar Heat and Power and a prototype trough concentrator array developed in collaboration with the ANU.[41]

Geothermal energy

Main article: Geothermal energy in Australia

In Australia, geothermal energy is a natural resource which is not widely utilised as a form of energy. However, there are known and potential locations near the centre of the country in which geothermal activity is detectable. Exploratory geothermal wells have been drilled to test for the presence of high temperature geothermal activity and such high levels were detected. As a result, projects will eventuate in the coming years and more exploration is expected at potential locations.

South Australia has been described as "Australia's hot rock haven" and this emissions free and renewable energy form could provide an estimated 6.8% of Australia's base load power needs by 2030.[44] According to an estimate by the Centre for International Economics, Australia has enough geothermal energy to contribute electricity for 450 years.[45]

There are currently 19 companies Australia-wide spending A$654 million in exploration programmes in 141 areas. In South Australia, which is expected to dominate the sector's growth, 12 companies have already applied for 116 areas and can be expected to invest A$524 million (US$435 M) in their projects by the next six years. Ten projects are expected to achieve successful exploration and heat flows, by 2010, with at least three power generation demonstration projects coming on stream by 2012.[44] A geothermal power plant is generating 80 kW of electricity at Birdsville, in southwest Queensland.[46]

Wave power

Main article: Wave power in Australia

Several projects for harvesting the power of the ocean are under development:

  • Oceanlinx is trialling a wave energy system at Port Kembla.
  • Carnegie Corp of Western Australia is refining a method of using energy captured from passing waves, CETO to generate high-pressure sea water. This is piped onshore to drive a turbine and to create desalinated water. A series of large buoys is tethered to piston pumps anchored in waters 15 to 50 metres (49 to 164 ft) deep. The rise and fall of passing waves drives the pumps, generating water pressures of up to 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi). The company is looking to have a 100MW demonstration project finished within the next four years.[when?]
  • BioPower Systems is developing its bioWAVE system anchored to the seabed that would generate electricity through the movement of buoyant blades as waves pass, in a swaying motion similar to the way sea plants, such as kelp, move. It expects to complete pilot wave and tidal projects off northern Tasmania this year.[47]

Bio-energy

Biomass

Biomass can be used directly for electricity generation, for example by burning sugar cane waste (bagasse) as a fuel for thermal power generation in sugar mills. It can also be used to produce steam for industrial uses, cooking and heating. It can also be converted into a liquid or gaseous biofuel.[48] In 2015 Bagasse accounted for 26.1% (90.2PJ) of Australia's renewable energy consumption, while wood and wood waste for another 26.9% (92.9PJ).[49] Biomass for energy production was the subject of a federal government report in 2004.[50]

Biofuels

Main article: Biofuel in Australia

Biofuels produced from food crops have become controversial as food prices increased significantly in mid-2008, leading to increased concerns about food vs fuel. Ethanol fuel in Australia can be produced from sugarcane or grains and there are currently three commercial producers of fuel ethanol in Australia, all on the east coast. Legislation imposes a 10% cap on the concentration of fuel ethanol blends. Blends of 90% unleaded petrol and 10% fuel ethanol are commonly referred to as E10,[51] which is mainly available through service stations operating under the BP, Caltex, Shell, and United brands. In partnership with the Queensland Government, the Canegrowers organisation launched a regional billboard campaign in March 2007 to promote the renewable fuels industry. Over 100 million litres of the new BP Unleaded with renewable ethanol has now been sold to Queensland motorists.[51] Biodiesel produced from oilseed crops or recycled cooking oil may be a better prospect than ethanol, given the nation's heavy reliance on road transport, and the growing popularity of fuel-efficient diesel cars.[52] Australian cities are some of the most car-dependent cities in the world,[53] and legislations involving vehicle pollution within the country are considered relatively lax.[54]

Australian Bioenergy Electricity Generation by Year[24][25][23][26][27][28][29][30][1]
Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Generation (Gwh) 2400 2400 3200 3608 3713 3412 3314 3164 3187
% of Renewable Electricity 6.9 7.6 9.1 8.6 9.7 7.1 6.0 5.0 4.3
% of Total Electricity 1.02 1.02 1.34 1.49 1.65 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4

Government policy

Main articles: Energy policy of Australia and Solar credits

Australia has implemented schemes to start the transition to a low-carbon economy but carbon neutrality has not been mentioned and since the introduction of the schemes, emissions have increased. The Second Rudd Government pledged to lower emissions by 5–15%. In 2001, The Howard Government introduced a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) scheme. In 2007, the Government revised the MRET – 20 percent of Australia's electricity supply to come from renewable energy sources by 2020. Renewable energy sources provide 8–10% of the nation's energy, and this figure will increase significantly in the coming years. However coal dependence and exporting conflicts with the concept of Australia as a low-carbon economy. Carbon-neutral businesses have received no incentive; they have voluntarily done so. Carbon offset companies offer assessments based on lifecycle impacts to businesses that seek carbon neutrality. In Australia the only true certified carbon neutral scheme is the Australian government's National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) which includes a mandatory independent audit. Three of the four of Australia's top banks are now certified under this scheme and full list of compliant companies can be seen here. Businesses are now moving from unaccredited schemes such as noco2 and transitioning to NCOS as the only one that is externally audited. Most of leading carbon management companies have also aligned with NCOS such as Net Balance, Pangolin Associates (who themselves are independently certified under NCOS), Energetics and the Big Four accounting firms.[citation needed]

In 2011 the Gillard Government introduced a price on carbon dioxide emissions for businesses. Although often characterised as a tax, it lacked the revenue-raising nature of a true tax. In 2013, on the election of the Abbott government, immediate legislative steps were taken to repeal the so-called carbon tax. The price on carbon was repealed on the 17th July 2014 by an act of parliament. As it stands Australia currently has no mechanism to deal with climate change.[citation needed]

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

ARENA was established by the Australian Government on 1 July 2012. The purpose of ARENA is to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and increase the supply of renewable energy through innovation that benefits Australian consumers and businesses. Since 2012, ARENA has supported 566 projects with $1.63 billion in grant funding, unlocking a total investment of almost $6.69 billion in Australia's renewable energy industry.[55]

Renewable energy targets

A key policy encouraging the development of renewable energy in Australia are the mandatory renewable energy targets (MRET) set by both Commonwealth and State governments. In 2001, the Howard Government introduced a 2010 MRET of 9,500 GWh of new renewable energy generation.

An Expanded Renewable Energy Target was passed with broad support[56] by the Australian Parliament on 20 August 2009, to ensure that renewable energy achieves a 20% share of electricity supply in Australia by 2020. To ensure this the Federal Government committed to increasing the 2020 MRET from 9,500 gigawatt-hours to 45,000 gigawatt-hours. The scheme was scheduled to continue until 2030.[57] This target has since been revised with the Gillard Government introducing in January 2011 an expanded target of 45,000 GWh of additional renewable energy between 2001 and 2020.[58]

The MRET was split in 2012 into a small scale renewable energy scheme (SRES) and large scale renewable energy target (LRET) components to ensure that adequate incentive exists for large scale grid connected renewable energy.[59] A number of states have also implemented their own renewable energy targets independent of the Commonwealth. For example, the Victorian Renewable Energy Target Scheme (VRET) mandated an additional 5% of Victoria's "load for renewable generation", although this has since been replaced by the new Australian Government LRET and SRES targets.[59] South Australia achieved its target of 20% of renewable supply by 2014 three years ahead of schedule (i.e. in 2011) and has subsequently established a new target of 33% to be achieved by 2020.[60]

Renewable Energy Certificates Registry

The Renewable Energy Certificates Registry (REC-registry) is an internet based registry system that is required by the Australian Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 (the Act).[61] The REC-registry is dedicated to: maintaining various registers (as set in the Act); and facilitating the creation, registration, transfer and surrender of renewable energy certificates (RECs).

Carbon pricing

Main article: Carbon pricing in Australia

In 2012, the Gillard government implemented a carbon price of $23 per tonne to be paid by 300 liable entities representing the highest business emitters in Australia. The carbon price will increase to $25.40 per tonne by 2014–15, and then will be set by the market from 1 July 2015 onwards.[62] It is expected that in addition to encouraging efficient use of electricity, pricing carbon will encourage investment in cleaner renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Treasury modelling has projected that with a carbon price, energy from the renewables sector is likely to reach 40 percent of supply by 2050.[63] Analysis of the first 6 months of operation of the carbon tax have shown that there has been a drop in carbon emissions by the electricity sector. It has been observed that there has been a change in the mix of energy over this period, with less electricity being sourced from coal and more being produced by renewables such as hydro and wind power.[64] The government at the time presented this analysis as an indicator that their policies to promote cleaner energy are working.[64] The carbon pricing legislation was repealed by the Tony Abbott-led Australian Government on 17 July 2014.[65] Since then, carbon emissions from the electricity sector have increased.[66]

Clean Energy Finance Corporation

Main article: Clean Energy Finance Corporation

The Australian Government has announced the creation of the new 10 billion dollar Clean Energy Finance Corporation which will commence business in July 2013. The goal of this intervention is to overcome barriers to the mobilisation of capital by the renewable energy sector. It will make available two billion dollars a year for five years for the financing of renewable energy, energy efficiency and low emissions technologies projects in the latter stages of development. The government has indicated that the fund is expected to be financially self-sufficient producing a positive return on investment comparable to the long term bond rate.[11][67]

Feed-in tariffs

Main article: Feed-in tariffs in Australia

Feed-in tariffs have been enacted on a state by state basis in Australia to encourage investment in renewable energy by providing above commercial rates for electricity generated from sources such as rooftop photovoltaic panels or wind turbines.[3] The schemes in place focus on residential scale infrastructure by having limits that effectively exclude larger scale developments such as wind farms. Feed-in tariffs schemes in Australia started at a premium, but have mechanisms by which the price paid for electricity decreases over time to be equivalent or below the commercial rate.[3] All the schemes now in place in Australia are "net" schemes whereby the householder is only paid for surplus electricity over and above what is actually used. In the past, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory enacted "gross" schemes whereby householders were entitled to be paid for 100% of renewable electricity generated on the premises, however these programs have now expired. In 2008 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to harmonise the various state schemes and developed a set of national principles to apply to new schemes.[68] Leader of the Australian Greens, Christine Milne, has advocated a uniform national "gross" feed-in tariff scheme, however this proposal has not been enacted.[69] Currently each state and territory of Australia offers a different policy with regards to feed in tariffs [70]

Subsidies to fossil fuel industry

There is dispute about the level of subsidies paid to the fossil fuel industry in Australia. The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) argues that according to the definitions of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), fossil fuel production and use is subsidised in Australia by means of direct payments, favourable tax treatment, and other actions. It is suggested these measures act as impediments to investment in renewable energy resources.[71] Analysis by the ACF indicates that these provisions add up to a total annual subsidy of A$7.7 billion, with the most significant component being the Fuel Tax Credits program that rebates diesel fuel excise to many business users.[72] This analysis is disputed by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) who argue that the ACF's definition of a subsidy differs from that of the OECD and that the fuel tax rebate schemes are in place to ensure that all producers are treated equally from a tax point of view. However, the IPA acknowledges that regardless of perceived issues with the ACF analysis, some level of fossil fuel subsidy is likely in existence.[73]

Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol

Australia ratified the Kyoto Protocol in December 2007 under the then newly elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Evidence suggests Australia will meet its targets required under this protocol. Australia had not ratified the Kyoto Protocol until then, due to concerns over a loss of competitiveness with the US, which also rejects the treaty.[74]

Policy uncertainty

The Australian government has no renewable energy policy beyond the year 2020, raising concerns about environmental sustainability for future generations.[75] The Liberal party's energy minister, Angus Taylor, has also stated that the government will not be replacing the 'Renewable Energy Target' (RET) after 2020.[75]

However, there are a range of state government based policies which are due to compensate for the lack of policies from the Australian federal government as stated below:

The Victorian Government has set a Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) of 50% by 2030.[76] Victoria also has a long-term target of net zero emissions by 2050.[76]

The Queensland Government has a commitment to a 50% renewable energy target by 2030.[77]

The New South Wales Government aims to have zero emissions across the New South Wales economy by 2050.[78]

In 2016, the ACT Government legislated a target of sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2020.[79]

The Tasmanian Government is on track to achieve its target of 100% renewable energy by 2022.[80]

The South Australian Government has a 75% renewable energy target by 2025.[81] The Liberal government says it expects the state will be "net" 100 per cent renewables by 2030.[82]

The Northern Territory Government has committed to a target of 50% renewable energy by 2030.[83] The Northern Territory Government is also set to have 10% renewable energy by 2020.[84]

Western Australia is the only state or territory yet to commit to a renewable energy target.[85] However, 21 Western Australian councils have called on the state's Labor government to adopt targets for a 50% renewable electricity supply by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2050.[86]

Academic literature

Main article: 100% renewable energy

Australia has a very high potential for renewable energy.[87] Therefore, the transition to a renewable energy system is gaining momentum in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.[88] Among them several studies have examined the feasibility of a transition to a 100% renewable electricity systems, which was found both practicable as well as economically and environmentally beneficial to combat global warming.[89][90][91]

Major renewable energy companies operating in Australia

BP Solar

BP has been involved in solar power since 1973 and its subsidiary, BP Solar, is now one of the world's largest solar power companies with production facilities in the United States, Spain, India and Australia.[92] BP Solar is involved in the commercialisation of a long life deep cycle lead acid battery, jointly developed by the CSIRO and Battery Energy, which is ideally suited to the storage of electricity for renewable remote area power systems (RAPS).[93]

Edwards

Edwards first began manufacturing water heaters in Australia in 1963. Edwards is now an international organisation which is a leader in producing hot water systems for both domestic and commercial purposes using solar technology. Edwards exports to Asia, the Pacific, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.[94]

Eurosolar

Eurosolar was first formed in 1993, with an aim of providing photovoltaic systems to the masses. It focuses on Solar Power in multiple Australian capitals. They continue to install panels all around Australia.

Hydro Tasmania

Hydro Tasmania was set up by the State Government in 1914 (originally named the Hydro-Electric Department, changed to the Hydro-Electric Commission in 1929, and Hydro Tasmania in 1998). Today Hydro Tasmania is Australia's largest generator of renewable energy. They operate thirty hydro-electric stations and one gas power station, and are a joint owner in three wind farms.

Meridian Energy Australia

Meridian Energy Australia runs a number of renewable energy assets (4 wind farms and 4 hydro plants) and only produces renewable energy – it claims to be Australasia's largest 100% renewable energy generator.

Nectr

Nectr is an Australian-based electricity retailer that focuses on offering renewable energy plans and services. Launched in 2019,[95] it currently operates in New South Wales, South East Queensland and South Australia, planning to expand to Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT in 2022. Nectr is owned by Hanwha Energy, an affiliate of South Korea's Hanwha Group, one of the global leaders in renewable energy technology, including solar power (Hanwha Q Cells) and battery storage technologies. The company offers 100% carbon offset plans, GreenPower plans and also launched solar and battery installation bundles in Ausgrid and Endeavour within NSW.[96] Its parent company Hanwha Energy Australia is an investor in Australian utility-scale solar power assets,[97] including the 20 MWAC Barcaldine solar farm in Queensland and the 88 MWAC Bannerton solar farm in Victoria. It is currently developing two new solar farms in southern NSW with capacity to produce enough energy to supply 50,000 homes.[98]

Origin Energy

Origin Energy is active in the renewable energy arena, and has spent a number of years developing several wind farms in South Australia, a solar cell business using technology invented by a team led by Professor Andrew Blakers at the Australian National University,[99] and geothermal power via a minority shareholding stake in Geodynamics.[100]

Pacific Hydro

Pacific Hydro is an Australian company that specialises in electricity generation using renewable energy. Its focus is on hydroelectricity and wind power. Power stations owned by Pacific Hydro include wind farms: Codrington Wind Farm, Challicum Hills Wind Farm, Portland Wind Project and Hydro power: Eildon Pondage Power Station, Ord River Hydro Power Station and The Drop Hydro.

Snowy Hydro Limited

Snowy Hydro Limited, previously known as the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority, manages the Snowy Mountains Scheme which generates on average around 4500 gigawatt hours of renewable energy each year, which represented around 37% of all renewable energy in the National Electricity Market in 2010. The scheme also diverts water for irrigation from the Snowy River Catchment west to the Murray and Murrumbidgee River systems.

Solahart

Solahart manufactured its first solar water heater in 1953, and products currently manufactured by Solahart include thermosiphon and split system solar and heat pump water heaters. These are marketed in 90 countries around the world and overseas sales represent 40% of total business. Solahart has a market share of 50% in Australia.[101]

Solar Systems

Solar Systems was a leader in high concentration solar photovoltaic applications,[102][103] and the company built a photovoltaic Mildura Solar concentrator power station, Australia.[104][105] This project will use innovative concentrator dish technology to power 45,000 homes, providing 270,000 MWh/year for A$420 million.[106] Solar Systems has already completed construction of three concentrator dish power stations in the Northern Territory, at Hermannsburg, Yuendumu, and Lajamanu, which together generate 1,555 MWh/year (260 homes, going by the energy/home ratio above). This represents a saving of 420,000 litres of diesel fuel and 1550 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. The total cost of the solar power station was "A$7M, offset by a grant from the Australian and Northern Territory Governments under their Renewable Remote Power Generation Program".[107] The price of diesel in remote areas is high due to added transportation costs: in 2017, retail diesel prices in remote areas of the Northern Territory averaged $1.90 per litre. The 420,000 litres of diesel per year saved by these power stations in the first decade of operation would thus have cost approximately $8,000,000.

Wind Prospect

Wind Prospect developed the 46 MW Canunda Wind Farm in South Australia, which was commissioned in March 2005. A second South Australian wind farm, Mount Millar Wind Farm, was commissioned in January 2006 and this provides a further 70 MW of generation. More recently, a third wind farm has reached financial close for Wind Prospect in South Australia. This is the 95 MW Hallett Wind Farm which is expected to be fully commissioned late in 2008.

See also

References

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Further reading

External links

Media related to Renewable energy in Australia at Wikimedia Commons

Articles
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