Umair Gaines
South Australia has transformed its energy system from 1% to over 69% renewable energy in just over 20 years, with more than 70% of its electricity generated from renewable sources. The state has exceeded its renewable energy targets, with wind power and rooftop solar leading the way. In 2021, 100% of South Australia's energy demand was supplied by renewable sources for 180 days. The state has also made significant investments in large-scale solar power projects, with solar energy contributing to over 20% of electricity generated in 2020-21. South Australia is a leader in utility-scale renewable energy generation, and also produces gas and uranium for electricity generation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of electricity from renewable sources | 72.3% between June 2022 and June 2023 |
| Target percentage of electricity from renewable sources by 2025/2026 | 85% |
| Target year to reach 100% net renewable energy | 2027 or 2030 |
| Sources of renewable energy | Wind, Solar, Hydropower, Geothermal, and Bioenergy with waste |
| Sources of non-renewable energy | Natural gas, Diesel, and Coal |
| 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 households with rooftop solar | 40% |
| Number of home batteries installed | 30,000+ |
| Location of major wind farms | Hornsdale, Lake Bonney, Hallett, Snowtown, and Cape Jervis |
| Location of solar parks | Tailem Bend, Port Augusta, and Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park |
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What You'll Learn
South Australia's renewable energy transition
South Australia is at the forefront of the global energy transition, shifting its energy system from 1% to over 69% renewable in just over two decades. The state has set ambitious targets for renewable energy, aiming for 85% by 2025-2026 and 100% net renewable energy by 2027. South Australia's success in renewable energy can be attributed to its diverse sources, including wind, solar, and geothermal.
Wind power has been a significant contributor to South Australia's renewable energy transition. By 2016, wind power accounted for 40% of the state's electricity needs, and South Australia had 36.9% of Australia's wind power capacity. The state's windy conditions make it an attractive destination for green energy investors. Major wind farms are located at Hornsdale, Lake Bonney, Hallett, Snowtown, and Cape Jervis.
Solar energy has also played a crucial role in South Australia's renewable energy mix. The state has the highest per capita uptake of household solar power in Australia, with more than one in three South Australian households installing rooftop solar systems. Large-scale solar facilities use PV technology to convert sunlight into electricity, and significant investments have been made in solar power projects. The Greenough River Solar Farm, for example, opened in 2012 with a capacity of 10 MW.
Geothermal energy has been identified as a potential source of renewable energy in South Australia, and the state government has invested in establishing a South Australian Centre for Geothermal Research. Additionally, the world's first biggest lithium-ion battery, the Hornsdale Power Reserve, was built in collaboration with the South Australian Government to store excess renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels during peak demand.
South Australia's transition to renewable energy has not been without challenges. The state has had to address concerns about noise from wind farms, leading to the development of environmental noise guidelines. Additionally, the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid has required investments in infrastructure, such as synchronous condensers, to increase grid security and accommodate the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources.
In conclusion, South Australia's renewable energy transition has been remarkable, positioning the state as a leader in utility-scale renewable energy generation. The state has successfully leveraged its natural resources, such as wind and sunlight, to attract investments in renewable energy infrastructure. Through a combination of public policy, technological advancements, and community support, South Australia is well on its way to achieving its ambitious targets for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
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Rooftop solar and home batteries
South Australia is a leader in renewable energy generation, with more than 4 million rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across the country. Rooftop solar is one of South Australia's largest power generators, with more than 40% of homes in the state having rooftop solar installed.
Solar panels instantly power your home or business, and if you have a battery, any excess electricity is stored there. If the battery is full or if you don't have one, the excess electricity is fed into the distribution network. Homeowners with solar panels are encouraged to use key appliances during the day when their solar panels are generating electricity. This helps to reduce costs, as electricity used at night will come from the grid at a cost unless you have a home battery system.
The Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers a discount of around 30% on the upfront cost of installing small-scale battery systems (5 kWh to 100 kWh). This program is intended to complement state and territory government battery incentives, so households may be eligible for support under multiple schemes. To be eligible for the discount, the battery must be approved by the Clean Energy Council and the installer must be accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia.
The SunSpot solar and battery calculator provides a free estimate of a suitable rooftop solar system for your home or business needs. The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) has supported the widespread uptake of rooftop solar PV systems across Australia and has been expanded to support battery installations. By installing a solar battery, you can lower your consumption of grid electricity and receive financial incentives.
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Wind farms and wind power
South Australia has been transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. In 2009, 20% of the state's electricity came from wind power. The Australian Government's Renewable Energy Target requires electricity retailers to source a proportion of energy from renewable sources. The state's proximity to the Roaring Forties means there are high-quality wind resources for wind farms.
South Australia has 16 operating wind farms with a total installed capacity of about 2,139 MW. The Wattle Point Wind Farm, officially opened in June 2005, was Australia's largest wind farm at 91 MW. It consists of 55 wind turbines and was built at a cost of 165 million Australian dollars. The Mount Millar Wind Farm is situated on an escarpment between the towns of Cowell and Cleve, 100 kilometres southwest of Whyalla. The 35 wind turbines are positioned to maximise wind exposure and can generate up to 70 megawatts of electricity.
The Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm is in a remote coastal area located near the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, about 30 km southwest of Port Lincoln. It has 33 wind turbines capable of generating 66 MW in total. Construction started in 2004, and the first turbines were commissioned in late 2005. The wind farm was fully operational by 2007.
The Hornsdale Wind Farm was the only wind farm under construction in late 2015. Hornsdale was generating 86 MW immediately before the 2016 South Australian blackout in September 2016.
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Gas and diesel-fired generation
South Australia has been transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. However, it still relies on gas and diesel-fired generation to meet its energy demands. Gas production in South Australia is largely concentrated in the Cooper Basin in the northeast of the state. Gas is delivered from these fields via pipelines to users in other states and to Port Adelaide, where it fuels three separate gas-fired power plants.
In 2022, South Australia faced a gas shortage and price spike, leading the state to turn to diesel generators. The price of gas spiked to $40 per gigajoule, making it economically viable to burn diesel for power generation. South Australia leased nine mobile General Electric TM2500 gas and diesel-powered turbine generators to improve the probability of meeting electricity demand during the summer and avoiding blackouts. These turbines have a total capacity of 309 megawatts in winter, which drops to around 240 megawatts during a heatwave due to reduced efficiency in higher temperatures.
The use of diesel generators has been controversial, with critics arguing that South Australia should transition faster away from volatile fossil fuels. However, supporters of the diesel generators point out that they are less polluting than coal and are cheaper for their intended purpose.
South Australia also has some diesel-fired power stations, although these are generally minor stations that operate during rare peak demand periods. In addition to diesel and gas, South Australia has invested heavily in renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, and aims to reach 100% net renewable energy by 2027.
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South Australia's energy targets
South Australia has a diverse energy mix that includes both traditional and renewable sources. The state's energy requirements are driven by factors such as population growth, industrial development, and government policies promoting renewable energy.
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, with more than 30,000 home batteries also installed across the state. In 2021, wind power accounted for 44.6% of the state's total energy output and 64% of renewable energy output. South Australia has also made significant investments in large-scale solar power projects, with solar energy contributing over 20% of the state's electricity generation in 2020-21.
The state has also led the nation in renewable energy commercialisation. In 2011, South Australia had 7.14% of Australia's population but captured 56% of grid-connected wind power, 30% of solar power, and 90% of geothermal developments. The Rann government comprehensively mapped the state for solar and wind resources, identifying the best locations for generating wind power.
South Australia has set ambitious targets for renewable energy. In 2024, the state brought forward its renewable energy target by three years, aiming for net 100% renewables by 2027. This target is expected to strengthen the state's ambition to decarbonise and promote economic development. By 2025-26, the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasts that 85% of South Australia's energy will be generated via renewable sources.
To achieve these targets, South Australia has invested in hydrogen energy and established the South Australian Centre for Geothermal Energy Research (SACGER) to promote geothermal energy research. The state has also seen the development of wind farms, solar parks, and large-scale battery storage systems, such as the Hornsdale Power Reserve built by Tesla.
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Frequently asked questions
South Australia generates more than 70% of its electricity from renewable sources. The majority of this comes from wind power, followed by solar power. The remainder is generated from non-renewable sources such as natural gas and diesel.
The target is to reach 100% net renewable energy by 2030. By 2025/2026, it is projected that 85% of energy will be generated via renewable sources.
Wind power is a significant contributor to South Australia's renewable energy generation. In 2021-22, wind power contributed 44.6% of the state's total energy output and 64% of its renewable energy output. South Australia has 19 wind farms in operation, with a total installed capacity of over 2,000 MW.
Rooftop solar power is one of South Australia's largest power generators, with more than 1 in 3 homes in the state having rooftop solar installed. In 2020-21, solar energy contributed to over 20% of the state's electricity generation.
South Australia also generates electricity from natural gas-fired power plants and diesel-fired power stations, although the latter are generally minor stations used during rare peak demand periods. The state also produces uranium for electricity generation, but nuclear power generation is prohibited nationally.
