Coal’s share of Australia’s electricity generation accounted for less than half of its total electricity generation for the first time in the last week of August, according to public data seen on Wednesday (September 4).
This is a record level in a country addicted to fossil fuels and still very dependent on coal for its electricity production. In Australia, according to public data consulted this Wednesday, September 4, the share of coal represented, during the last week of August, less than 50% of electricity production. Unprecedented, especially since this announcement comes at the same time as an increase in the share of renewable energies. From August 24 to 31, coal produced 49.1% of Australian electricity, while renewable energies accounted for 48.7%, according to the Open-NEM public electricity market data monitoring platform.
Winds exceeding 150 km/h in the southeast of the country have thus made it possible to double the production of electricity from wind power. Also, according to climate finance expert Tim Buckley, this lowest level reached in August is explained by turbulent weather and high temperatures for a transition to the southern spring. Enough to reduce the demand for electricity by almost 20%. “This is a historic low for coal’s share of the Australian electricity market, but it’s also a sign of where we’re headed,” Tim Buckley believes, saying that “In just a few years, the share of coal will be practically zero.”
However, Australia remains one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas. It relies heavily on fossil fuels to generate its electricity. Between 2022 and 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 91% of national energy consumption, a broader indicator than electricity generation as it includes fuels used in the transport and industrial sectors.
Development of renewable energies
However, in order to achieve its climate goals, Canberra has been increasing the number of plant closures in recent years: most of Australia’s 16 coal-fired power stations are expected to cease operation in the coming years. As a result, the renewable energy sector is booming. For example, Canberra unveiled six projects on Wednesday to enable the storage of 1,000 megawatts of electricity by 2027 in the country.
According to Energy Minister Chris Bowen, the energy transition is underway in the country because “The climate demands it, and economic reality” Also. “We need to implement the right solutions now, not in a decade, not in two decades, to ensure that Australia’s energy needs are met,” National investments in the renewable sector are increasing, but still lag behind other countries, Tim Buckley adds.
“China has overtaken Australia in renewables. It is investing nearly A$1 trillion (€606 billion) a year in clean technology and renewables,” specifies the expert. And to continue: “China installs as much new renewable capacity in a week as Australia does in a year.” Last week, with the risk of growing demand over the coming decades, Australia’s energy regulator warned that investment in the sector was needed, particularly to avoid power outages.
