⚡ A Tipping Point for Energy: Gas Power Collapses to Just 1 MW on WA's Grid

In a stunning display of the clean energy transition, Western Australia’s main power grid has just witnessed a moment that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. Last Saturday, gas-fired power generation plummeted to a mere 1 megawatt, while renewable sources surged to supply an incredible 83% of the state's electricity demand.

This isn't just a new record; it's a clear signal that the era of fossil fuel dominance is rapidly coming to a close.

The Record-Breaking Moment: A Grid in Transformation

This historic event occurred at 12:40 pm last Saturday on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), the grid that powers Perth and the majority of the state's population.

To put this into perspective:

• Just five years ago, the minimum level for gas generation was 200 MW.

• A decade ago, it was consistently above 600 MW.

The dramatic drop to just 1 MW was orchestrated by two powerful forces working in perfect harmony: the unstoppable rise of rooftop solar and the strategic deployment of grid-scale battery storage.

Batteries and Solar: The New Power Couple

So, how did the grid remain stable with virtually no gas? The answer lies with the unsung heroes of the modern grid: big batteries.

While hundreds of thousands of rooftop solar panels were flooding the grid with cheap, clean energy, grid-scale batteries were playing a crucial dual role:

1. Soaking Up the Sun: At the time of the record, large batteries were charging at full force, absorbing 211 MW of excess solar power. This prevents grid congestion and ensures no clean energy goes to waste.

2. Providing Instant Insurance: These batteries, including the massive Collie Battery (560 MW / 2,240 MWh), act as the grid's shock absorbers. They can discharge power in milliseconds to counteract any sudden dips caused by cloud cover, transmission faults, or unexpected outages at ageing coal plants.

This capability is turning the old argument about renewable "intermittency" on its head.

The Incredible Shrinking Role of Gas

For decades, gas was considered an essential "baseload" and "peaking" power source. Today, its role is being fundamentally redefined. While it currently supplies around one-third of WA's annual power, this record-low event proves it's increasingly being pushed to the sidelines, acting as a backup rather than a primary player.

With over 1 gigawatt (1,000 MW) of new battery capacity slated to come online before the state's final coal plants close post-2030, the future for gas looks even smaller. The grid of tomorrow will be dominated by renewables, firmed by storage.

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This rapid shift from fossil fuels to renewables presents massive opportunities for homes and businesses to cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint. But navigating this new energy landscape can be complex.

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