Australia's Energy Revolution: Coal Hits Historic Lows While Solar & Wind Dominate 🌞⚡

Sep 23

3 min read

📊 The Numbers That Matter: Australia's Clean Energy Milestone

On a typical Monday afternoon, something extraordinary happened across Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM):

77.19% of our electricity came from renewable sources
Coal power plummeted to just 21.9% - the lowest ever recorded
This shattered the previous record of 75.79% set only days earlier

What this means for you: Lower wholesale electricity prices during peak solar hours and cleaner air for our communities.

An infographic on Australia's energy revolution, contrasting a declining coal power plant (21.9%) with a thriving solar panel and wind turbine farm (77.19%), highlighting the record-breaking rise of renewable energy and the decline of coal power in Australia's electricity market.

🏭 Why Australia's Coal Plants Are Struggling

The Midday Solar Revolution

Rooftop solar panels across Australian homes have created what energy experts call the "solar duck curve" - massive power generation during sunny hours that's pushing coal plants to their limits.

Real-world impact:

Eraring Power Station (NSW's largest): Operating at just 25% capacity during peak solar
Mt Piper & Bayswater: Similar dramatic reductions
Coal plants forced to sell power at rock-bottom prices just to stay operational

The Technical Challenge

Coal plants weren't designed to turn on and off like a light switch. They need hours to start up or shut down, making them increasingly incompatible with Australia's renewable-rich grid.

🔋 The Storage Solution: Australia's Next Energy Frontier

Current Challenges:

3.5 gigawatts of clean energy wasted during the record-breaking period
Insufficient battery storage to capture excess solar power
Grid stability concerns limiting renewable expansion

Emerging Solutions:

Big batteries like Victoria's Big Battery providing grid stability
Virtual Power Plants connecting home batteries across suburbs
Pumped hydro projects like Snowy 2.0 for long-term storage

🎯 Australia's Path to 100% Renewable Energy

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has set an ambitious target: achieving moments of 100% renewable electricity by 2025. Here's the roadmap:

What Needs to Happen:

More flexible coal operations or accelerated closures
Massive battery storage expansion across all states
Upgraded transmission lines to move renewable energy where needed
Smart grid technology to balance supply and demand

Timeline for Major Coal Closures:

2025: Eraring (NSW)
2028: Callide B (QLD)
2029: Vales Point (NSW)
2033: Yallourn (VIC)

💰 What This Means for Your Energy Bills

The Good News:

Solar and wind are now Australia's cheapest electricity sources
More renewables = lower wholesale prices
Time-of-use tariffs can save households hundreds annually

Smart Energy Tips for Australians:

Run appliances during sunny hours (10am-3pm)
Consider battery storage to maximise solar savings
Switch to time-of-use electricity plans
Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances

🏠 How Australian Homes & Businesses Can Benefit

For Homeowners:

Solar panels now pay for themselves in 3-5 years
Home batteries becoming increasingly affordable
Electric vehicles can act as mobile batteries
Government rebates and incentives available

For Businesses:

Commercial solar slashing operational costs
Power Purchase Agreements locking in low rates
Energy audits identifying massive savings
Green credentials attracting eco-conscious customers

🌏 Australia's Clean Energy Leadership

Australia is rapidly becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse:

World's highest rooftop solar penetration per capita
Massive renewable projects in development (Sun Cable, Asian Renewable Energy Hub)
Green hydrogen export opportunities emerging
Critical minerals for global battery supply chains