Coal-fired power has dipped below 50% of Australia’s power mix for the first time ever, according to Bloomberg.
Related article: AEMO says renewables “the most efficient path” to net zero
Coal accounted for 49.2% of electricity generation in the week through Monday, marking the first time it’s fallen below half on a weekly rolling basis, according to data aggregator Open-NEM.
With wild winds lashing Victoria and Tasmania, wind farms generated just over a quarter of power during the period.
Australia’s rapid transition to renewables to replace its fleet of ageing coal-fired power plants has made it a global test case for the energy transition.
Coal generation fell to 56% last year, from 87% in 2006—the highest level this century. Wind and solar’s combined output was 31% in 2023.
Related article: Coal-free in 14 years as renewables rush in: new blueprint shows how to green the grid—without nuclear
Australia has set a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
