2023 Energy Outlook: Battery Boom, Solar Surge, Wind Commitments Dive
In 2023, Australia witnessed a remarkable energy transition, with big batteries and small-scale solar emerging as the stars of the show. The Clean Energy Council’s Clean Energy Australia 2024 report highlights the significant role played by photovoltaic (PV) systems installed by households and businesses, contributing the majority of the record-breaking 5.9GW of new renewable energy capacity added to the grid during the year.
Despite a slowdown in investments in large-scale renewables, the report paints a positive picture, showcasing exceptional results for rooftop solar and unprecedented investment figures in utility-scale storage. However, concerns were raised over the decline in financial commitments towards large wind projects, with no new projects initiated in 2023, a drop from six in the previous year. Nonetheless, disputes arose as Andrew Forrest’s Squadron Energy confirmed the financial close of its Uungala wind project in New South Wales in December.
Rooftop Solar Dominance
The report reveals that new rooftop solar installations nearly broke an all-time annual record, with 3.1GW installed in 2022 being the primary driver of Australia’s renewable energy push for the year. These installations, aimed at reducing energy costs and promoting climate action, accounted for 28.5% of all renewables added, up from 25.8% in the previous year
