Trystan Casey
South Australia has been a leader in renewable energy generation, with wind and solar power contributing significantly to the state's electricity production. In 2021-22, wind power was the greatest source of energy generated in the state, accounting for 41% to 44.6% of the total energy output. South Australia has also invested in large-scale solar power projects, with solar contributing to over 20% of electricity generation in 2020-21. The state has also seen a rise in rooftop solar installations, with more than 40% of homes adopting this technology by 2023. In addition to renewables, natural gas-fired generation and, to a lesser extent, diesel-fired power stations contribute to South Australia's electricity supply. The state has interconnectors with neighbouring states, allowing for the import and export of electricity to manage demand and supply fluctuations. South Australia is at the forefront of the global energy transition, significantly increasing its renewable energy generation over the last two decades.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main source of electricity | Renewable energy |
| Other sources | Natural gas-fired generation, diesel-fired power stations, coal |
| Percentage of energy from wind power in 2021-22 | 44.6% |
| Percentage of energy from solar power in 2020-21 | 20% |
| Number of wind farms | 19 |
| Number of solar farms | 3 |
| Number of utility-scale batteries | 2 |
| Number of grid-connected emergency backup diesel generators | 2 |
| Percentage of homes with rooftop solar installed in 2023 | 40% |
| Number of home batteries installed across the state in 2023 | 30,000 |
| Major wind farms | Hornsdale, Lake Bonney, Hallett, Snowtown, Cape Jervis |
| Large-scale solar facilities | Tailem Bend, Port Augusta, Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park |
| Gas production location | Cooper Basin in the state's north-east |
| Largest fossil-fuel generation precinct | Le Fevre Peninsula near Port Adelaide |
| Largest gas-fueled power plant | Torrens Island Power Station |
| Second-largest gas-fueled power plant | Pelican Point Power Station |
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Renewable energy sources
South Australia has been a leader in renewable energy generation, particularly wind and solar power. In 2023, more than 40% of homes in South Australia had rooftop solar installed, making rooftop solar one of South Australia's largest power generators. South Australia has also made significant investments in large-scale solar power projects. In 2020-21, solar energy contributed to over 20% of electricity generated for South Australia.
Wind power is another rapidly expanding mode of renewable energy production in Australia. In 2016, wind power accounted for 5.3% of Australia's total electricity demand and 30.8% of total renewable energy supply. South Australia has 36.9% of Australia's wind power capacity, accounting for 40% of the state's electricity needs as of 2016, and wind power was the leading source of electricity in the state. In 2021-22, wind energy contributed to 44.6% of South Australia's total energy output and 64% of renewable energy output.
Other renewable energy sources such as geothermal, pumped hydro, renewable hydrogen, and bioenergy are also being explored for South Australia. South Australia has a number of big battery and large-scale energy storage installations, which can supply stored electricity during high-demand periods and absorb excess electricity during low-demand periods.
In 2021, renewable sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy, collectively made up 26.7% of Australia's total electricity generation mix. The Australian Government has set a goal for renewables to constitute 82% of the national electricity mix by 2030.
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Rooftop solar
South Australia has embraced rooftop solar power, with solar panels visible across the state. As of July 2023, over 379,860 systems were installed, representing more than 2.186 GW of capacity. This equates to approximately 1,192 Watts of small-scale solar per capita, far surpassing the national average of 780 Watts. Rooftop solar is one of South Australia's largest power generators and accounts for over 10% of the country's electricity supply.
South Australia has the highest per capita uptake of household solar power in Australia. This is due to the state's abundant sunshine, which provides inherent benefits such as lower energy bills and feed-in tariffs. The state government has also implemented initiatives to encourage the adoption of rooftop solar. For example, a solar feed-in tariff was introduced for households, and an educational program was established that involved installing solar PV systems on the roofs of significant public buildings, such as Adelaide Airport, State Parliament, the Museum, and the Art Gallery.
The Clean Energy Council's Rooftop Solar and Storage Report revealed that in 2023, new installations in New South Wales broke records, with 970 MW of new rooftop solar systems. Queensland was the first state to surpass one million rooftop solar installations in 2023.
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Wind power
South Australia has world-class wind resources, which have attracted significant large-scale renewable energy investments. The state has provided regulatory certainty for wind farms, and the government has implemented land-use planning policies that are considered the best practice for accommodating wind farms.
South Australia has been a leader in wind power generation, with 36.9% of Australia's wind power capacity in 2016, accounting for 40% of the state's electricity needs that year. This was the first year that wind power was the leading source of electricity in the state. By 2009, 20% of the state's electricity came from wind power, and the state had 56% of the nation's grid-connected wind power.
As of 2022, South Australia has 16 operating wind farms with a total installed capacity of about 2,139 MW. The state's wind farms include the Wattle Point Wind Farm, which was Australia's largest wind farm when it opened in 2005 with 91 MW capacity and 55 wind turbines. The Mount Millar Wind Farm, which opened in 2006, has 35 wind turbines and can generate up to 70 megawatts of electricity. The Starfish Hill Wind Farm, commissioned in 2003, was the state's first major wind farm and has a combined generating capacity of 33 MW with Salt Creek Hill. The Clements Gap Wind Farm, opened in 2010, has 27 wind turbines and generates enough electricity for 30,000 homes. The Canunda Wind Farm, opened in 2005, is a 46 MW wind power project with 23 wind turbines.
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Gas-fired generation
South Australia has a long history of gas field development, dating back to the 1950s and 1960s in Moomba. This development led to the utilisation of gas-fueled generators at a utility scale, marking the beginning of gas-fired electricity generation in the state. The largest fossil-fuel generation precinct is located on the Le Fevre Peninsula near Port Adelaide, where multiple separate power plants, including gas-fired ones, are in operation.
The Torrens Island Power Station, operated by AGL, is the largest gas-fired power plant in South Australia, with a generating capacity of 1,280 MW. Another notable gas-fired power plant is the Pelican Point Power Station, operated by Engie, with a capacity of 478 MW. These power plants contribute significantly to the state's electricity supply.
Gas production in South Australia is largely concentrated in the Cooper Basin in the state's north-east. The gas extracted from these fields is delivered by pipeline to users interstate and to Port Adelaide, where it fuels three separate gas-fired power plants. South Australia's gas reserves are a part of the larger Cooper-Eromanga basin, which also extends into Queensland.
While gas-fired generation is a significant component of South Australia's energy mix, the state has also witnessed the exit of coal-fired power, with the closure of the last coal-fired power station in 2016. South Australia is transitioning towards renewable energy sources, but gas-fired generation remains an essential component of its energy portfolio, ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to meet the state's demands.
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Energy storage
South Australia has a diverse range of energy storage methods, including batteries, flywheels, compressed air, thermal, and pumped hydro. The South Australian government actively supports energy storage projects through funding and programs like the $50 million Grid Scale Storage Fund and the Virtual Power Plant.
In 2017, the government announced that Tesla, in conjunction with Neoen, would build the world's first big battery, a 100 MW/129 MWh lithium-ion battery in Jamestown. This was followed by a 50 MW/64.5 MWh expansion of the battery in 2020, funded by the South Australian government and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
South Australia also has a significant number of home battery systems, with more than 30,000 installed across the state as of 2023. These batteries store excess electricity generated by rooftop solar systems, reducing the need for electricity from the grid at night.
In addition to battery storage, South Australia has the 3 MW Terminal Storage Mini Hydro, which generates electricity from water flowing downhill from one storage dam to another. Geothermal energy is another form of energy storage, where heat generated naturally by the earth is used for electricity production. South Australia has substantial geothermal resources, and initiatives like the Onshore Energy Security Program are working to identify active geothermal regions to support the geothermal industry.
The state also has two interconnections with Victoria, the Heywood and the Murraylink, which allow for the import and export of electricity between the states. These interconnections enhance energy storage and supply capabilities.
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Frequently asked questions
South Australia has been a leader in renewable energy generation, particularly wind, solar, and geothermal power. The state has also invested in large-scale solar power projects, with solar energy contributing over 20% of electricity generation in 2020-21. Wind power is the dominant source of renewable energy, contributing 44.6% of the state's total energy output in 2021-22. Gas-fired generation and diesel-fired power stations also contribute to a smaller extent.
South Australia has transformed its energy system from 1% to over 69% renewable energy in two decades. In comparison, renewable energy generation nationally was at 36.3% in June 2023. South Australia has led the nation in renewable energy commercialisation, capturing 56% of grid-connected wind power and 30% of solar power in 2011.
One challenge has been the need to balance energy requirements with neighbouring states through interconnection. South Australia has two interconnections with Victoria: Heywood and Murraylink. Another challenge has been the transition away from coal-fired power plants, with the last coal-fired power station closing in 2016.
The state's focus on renewable energy has helped reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and contributed to a cleaner energy supply. South Australia has also become a target for green energy investors due to its reputation for having some of the windiest and sunniest places in Australia. The development of wind and solar farms has created construction jobs and contributed to the growth of the renewable energy industry.
