The newly published Clean Energy Australia 2024 report has found that development of utility-scale storage projects and rooftop solar were at record highs in 2023 and that renewables now account for almost 40 per cent of Australia’s electricity supply.
The report found that renewables overall accounted for 39.4 per cent of Australia’s energy supply, while figures for generation capacity added were strong at 5.9GW, up from 5GW in 2022.
Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton, said that renewables had now reached a critical tipping point in the Australian energy mix.
“We’ve reached a major milestone following 12 months of profound change as industry and governments at all levels continue to work together with a renewed focus on a timely transformation of our energy system,” Mr Thornton said.
“Renewables comprised 39.4 per cent of Australia’s total generation in 2023, an increase of 9.7 per cent in a single year. This is a major increase from 2017, when the share of Australia’s total renewable generation was just 17 per cent.
“2023 was also a significant year for construction and new financial commitments to utility-scale storage. 27 battery projects are under construction, up from 19 at the end of 2022. Investment stands at a massive $4.9 billion, up from $1.9 billion in the year prior.”
2023 also saw rooftop solar uptake improve, with 3.1GW of new capacity added to Australia’s energy system. In total, 337,498 households and businesses around Australia installed rooftop solar, up from 315,499 in 2022.
“Rooftop solar accounted for 28.5 per cent of all renewable generation nationally over the past year. This is a testament to its success in driving additional value and lowering energy bills for over one in three Australian households and small businesses,” Mr Thornton said.
While the 2023 figures indicate some encouraging progress for Australia’s clean energy transition, a significant downturn in investment, particularly in large-scale generation projects, remains an issue for the sector.
No new financial commitments to utility-scale wind projects occurred in 2023, while seven new financial commitments for utility-scale solar projects totalling 921MW of capacity were recorded, down from ten projects totalling 1.5GW at the end of 2022.
“Several announcements and policy initiatives led by the Federal Government throughout the year have already sent a strong signal about the importance of a timely energy transition to the national interest, addressing several major challenges including cost of living, emissions reduction and energy security,” Mr Thornton said.
“We are more determined than ever to continue to build and maintain the strong investment in our clean energy future that we need, overcome the barriers holding back a substantial pipeline of new opportunities and navigate the most consequential transformation of Australia’s economy in a generation.”
