Transforming our energy system to take advantage of renewable solar and wind
By 2030, most of Australia’s coal fired power stations will be reaching their end-of-life. They are now less reliable and more expensive to maintain.
The energy transition means replacing coal powered electricity with renewable sources like solar and wind. This will benefit Australia's energy system by:
- ensuring a secure electricity supply once coal power stations close
- switching to Australia's abundant solar and wind power which can be harnessed more quickly and cheaply than any other energy source
- reducing harmful emissions from Australia's energy sector.
Australia is tailor-made for renewables
Australia is one of the world’s best places for renewable energy. The strength and consistency of our sunlight is perfect for solar. Many areas in Australia also experience consistent, strong winds. These winds can be harnessed to generate abundant energy.
Renewable technologies are tried and tested
Technology advances have made renewable energy like solar and wind among the most efficient energy sources available today.
Renewable energy – supported by storage and transmission and backed up by flexible gas generation– is the cheapest and quickest way to transform our electricity system for households and businesses.
According to CSIRO’s GenCost report on the costs of electricity generation, solar and wind are now the cheapest form of electricity generation in Australia.
The transition is already underway
Existing solar and wind infrastructure already generates just under 40% of Australia’s electricity. More renewable energy developments are underway to harness Australia’s renewable energy resources.
Australia has the resources and capability to reach 82% of energy generated by renewable energy resources by 2030. It is working with states and territories to achieve this.
The transition to renewable energy will involve environmental impact assessments for new renewable energy infrastructure. These assessments must be approved by state, territory and federal governments before they can go ahead.
In this section
- Rewiring the Nation
- Renewable Energy Target scheme
- Capacity Investment Scheme
- Offshore wind in Australia
- Clean energy and the electricity market
- Community engagement for renewable energy infrastructure
- Growing Australia's hydrogen industry
- Guarantee of Origin scheme
- Community batteries
- Community solar banks
- Independent Scientific Committee on Wind Turbines
- Pumped hydro
Read more
Find out about Australia’s climate change strategies.