WA’s "Island" Grid Just Hit a Massive 89% Renewables. Here’s Why It’s a Global Game-Changer.

3 days ago

3 min read

Forget what the critics said. Western Australia just proved them wrong—big time.

The state's massive, isolated power grid, the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), just did the "impossible." At 11 am on Monday, it ran on 88.97% clean, renewable energy.

This wasn't a fluke. It smashed the previous record of 87.29% set just one day earlier.

This is a global headline. WA is running one of the world's most advanced and isolated grids with no backup from other states and no large-scale pumped hydro.

Here’s the inside line on how they're doing it, and what it means for the future of energy in Australia.

WA’s "Island" Grid Just Hit a Massive 89% Renewables. Here’s Why It’s a Global Game-Changer | EServices4u

☀️ The People's Power: Rooftop Solar Was the Hero

The clear star of the show is rooftop solar. Australia now has over 4 million solar installations, and WA is showing what happens when that power is unleashed.

At the moment the record was hit, the energy mix was dominated by everyday Australians:

Rooftop Solar: A massive 64% of the total grid supply.
Large-Scale Wind: A strong 16% contribution.
Other Renewables: A mix of large solar farms, biomass, and batteries.

According to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), days with over 80% renewables are no longer a "once-in-a-year" event. They are the new normal.

🔋 The Secret Sauce: Australia's Biggest Batteries

So, if there's no backup from other states, how did the grid remain stable? This is where the story gets really exciting.

This new record is only possible because WA is home to Australia’s two largest batteries, and one of them just came online.

The Kwinana BESS: The first big battery that proved the concept.
The Collie BESS: A new, even larger battery (500MW/2000MWh) that has just started operations.

Here's the key takeaway: As of this month, grid-scale battery capacity in WA has officially surpassed coal capacity for the first time.

These batteries are the grid's "guardians." They act like giant sponges, soaking up all that excess rooftop solar in the middle of the day (when power is cheap or free) and then discharging it during the evening peak (when power is most expensive).

💨 The Next Frontier: Replacing Coal for Good

This record is for instantaneous power, but the real challenge is replacing 24/7 coal power. WA has a hard deadline for that, too.

The Coal Exit: The state-owned Collie Power Station will close in late 2027, and the final Muja D units will shut by 2029.

To fill this gap, the government is on an aggressive hunt for new projects. This is where the market opportunity is.

The Previous Win: A federal Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender earlier this year already secured four massive new batteries for WA (at Boddington, Merredin, Muchea, and Waroona).
The Current Tender: A new, WA-only CIS tender is active right now (Tenders 5 & 6). It's seeking 1.6 GW of new wind and solar generation, and bids are due to close this Friday, November 7th.

This is the government underwriting the next wave of large-scale renewable projects to lock in WA's clean energy future.

✅ Your Turn: Join Australia's Solar & Battery Boom

WA is setting global records with rooftop solar and big batteries. This same technology—the ability to generate your own power, store it, and control your bills—is available for homeowners and businesses across Australia right now.

With the energy market moving this fast, you need an expert to help you navigate the changes.

EServices4U helps you make that smart move with: