Australia is at the forefront of the green transition, but the weather gods are testing the government’s plans to cut greenhouse gases.
Rising greenhouse emissions from burning fossil fuels are offsetting gains made by Australia’s clean energy transition, after coal and gas plants were forced into greater use to meet spiking electricity demand last summer.
This increase was attributed to the huge demand for electricity as households switched on their air-conditioners to ride through heatwave conditions in NSW and Queensland, which required coal and gas plants to plug supply gaps after the sun went down.In winter, between April and June, a prolonged stretch of cold weather collided with a rare wind power drought, limiting output from wind turbines and forcing gas-powered generators to meet peak demand.
Renewables now account for 40 per cent of the mix, while the giant coal-fired generators that supply the bulk of the nation’s electricity are increasingly bringing forward their closure dates. Australia’s target of cutting emissions 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 is legally binding, and is considered a critical stepping stone to reaching net zero by 2050.
“Australia is lucky to be one of the sunniest places in the world, with some of the best solar and wind resources – harnessing them will ensure the clean, cheap, reliable and resilient energy system that Australians deserve,” Bowen said.
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