Australia’s grid hits 80% renewable power for first time
Solar and wind supplied roughly 80% of the National Electricity Market’s demand on two consecutive days in September, eclipsing fossil-fuel generation.
Australia’s National Electricity Market recorded a renewable share of 79.5% at around 1:30 pm on 18 September, according to Open Electricity, and a five-minute spike reached 80.1%. The following day the Australian Energy Market Operator logged 80.4% renewable generation, with rooftop solar alone covering more than half of demand for roughly half an hour at lunchtime. Utility-scale solar contributed 22.1% and wind added further capacity, while coal and black coal together supplied about 20% and gas less than 1%.
The record was driven by clear skies and low heating-cooling demand, according to UNSW researcher Dylan McConnell. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the achievement demonstrates increasingly clean, affordable power for homes and businesses, and pledged further progress as the Labor government advances the energy transition. Wholesale electricity prices fell 47% year-on-year to A$74 /MWh, the lowest since 2020, highlighting the economic impact of the shift.
Why it matters
It shows Australia’s power system can run largely on renewables, lowering costs and emissions.
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