How Australia is playing a crucial role in revving up global green transition

Highlights

• Australia's clean energy contribution has increased from 17% in 2016 to 27% in 2020.
• More than 25% of the country’s total electricity generation came from renewables in 2020.
• Australia has increased its renewable energy capacity from 38,172GWh in 2017 to a massive 62,917GWh in 2020.

The renewable energy sector of Australia has witnessed notable progress over the last five years. The country's clean energy sector has taken a leap from around 17% contribution in 2016 to more than 27% in 2020. The solar and wind energy are the major contributors to the sector, oiling the wheels of the country’s green energy transition.

A massive growth in the installation of rooftop solar and wind turbines has accelerated the country's clean energy transition drive. However, a substantial contribution from other clean sources like hydrogen and battery storage has also helped the country to take a quantum leap towards its goal of emerging as a potential clean energy superpower.

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Record-breaking 2020

Despite the COVID-19 challenges, the growth in Australia’s renewable energy sector hasn’t stopped due to increased support from the country’s government. The sector has set numerous records in 2020.

Source: Copyright © 2021 Kalkine Media Pty Ltd | Data Source: Clean Energy Australia Report 2021

It was for the first time in 2020 that more than a quarter of the country's total electricity generation came from renewables.

The small-scale solar sector added more than 3GW of new capacity in 2020 while the large-scale sector accounted for almost 2GW of new capacity in 2020. The country also completed 32 new projects in 2020.

Adding to this, Australia had nearly 76 large-scale solar and wind projects under construction phase, with a capacity of over 8GW, by the end of 2020.

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The small-scale solar sector recorded its fourth consecutive record-breaking year and added over 3 GW of new capacity during the year.

However, wind remains at the top position of the leader board by contributing nearly 10% of the total energy generation of the country.

Milestones of 2020

Australia has increased its renewable energy capacity from 38,172GWh in 2017 to a massive 62,917GWh in 2020.

Tasmania's renewable energy production remained higher than its consumption during 2020. The state also aims to increase its renewables capacity by a whopping 200% by 2040 to become a major clean energy exporter.

Source: Copyright © 2021 Kalkine Media Pty Ltd | Data Source: Clean Energy Australia Report 2021

Other significant breakthroughs during the year are as follows:

• Australia installed the highest ever 378,451 rooftop solar systems in 2020.
• The country has announced 26 corporate power purchase agreements.
• Australia had 16 utility-scale batteries under construction by the end of 2020, indicating remarkable growth in the storage capacity space.

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Bottom Line

Australia has taken giant strides in the renewable energy space in the last five years. The country has produced more than 25% of its total energy from renewable sources for the first time in 2020.