SA holds onto clean energy crown as gas slumps to record lows

Climate Council

SOUTH AUSTRALIA CONTINUES to lead the nation, and the world, on the uptake of renewables and new data from the Climate Council reveals that the state’s gas generation fell to its lowest level in more than 20 years.

Renewables provided SA with more than double the power generated from gas. 66 percent of South Australia’s electricity came from renewable energy, while gas only accounted for 34 percent.

Climate Councillor, energy expert and South Australian Andrew Stock said: “South Australia’s world-leading solar and wind is why we had the lowest wholesale power bills of any state last year and why our emissions are plummeting faster than any other Australian state.”

“Lately, our state has been quietly breaking lots of 21st Century world records when it comes to electricity. Last year, South Australia cemented itself as a global clean energy leader, with the highest share of solar and wind in its electricity grid – outstripping Denmark.”

66 percent of South Australia’s electricity came from renewable energy in 2021.

“We have come a long way considering 15 years ago, all of the state’s electricity came from coal and gas,” said the former Origin Energy executive.

“In the past decade, South Australia’s wind and solar generators have not only compensated for the closure of the state’s two coal-fired power stations, they are now taking a huge bite out of the market share for gas as well.”

“Gas is expensive, polluting, and diminishing in importance and relevance as the rest of the world decarbonises, and world-leading states like SA continue to roll-out large-scale renewable energy and storage.”

“As South Australia takes deep strides toward cheaper, cleaner, more reliable renewable energy, the rest of the country, and the rest of the world, would do well to follow our example.”

At a national level, Australia’s largest grid received five times more power from renewable energy than gas in 2021. Renewables reached record highs in all mainland states in 2021, while gas generation fell once again across the country, down to its lowest level in more than 15 years despite virtually no change in electricity demand.

/Public Release.