Record Rooftop Solar Reduces Grid Demand in NSW
In a surprising turn of events, electricity demand in New South Wales (NSW) experienced a significant decline, with rooftop solar systems accounting for a record 60 per cent share of the total electricity demand on a Sunday. This drop in demand, as reported by GPG NEMWatch and Watt Clarity, marked a notable deviation from the usual trends, with demand levels plummeting to unprecedented lows, typically seen during spring rather than late summer.
Paul McArdle from Watt Clarity highlighted the remarkable nature of this decline, noting that NSW’s “market demand” reached a mere 2532 MW, a substantial 484 MW below the previous record low recorded in October of the previous year. The data from NEMWatch also reflected this sharp decrease in both “market demand” and “operational demand” during the same period.
Impact on Power Stations and Renewables
As rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems achieved a historic 60 per cent share of electricity demand in NSW, the state with the largest electricity grid in Australia in terms of both demand and capacity, the effects were felt across the energy sector. This surge in solar power usage, up from 58.9 per cent in the spring of the previous year, coincided with a potential reduction in air conditioner usage, further contributing to the decreased demand levels, particularly noticeable over the weekend.
The reduced demand not only affected coal-fired power stations and their operational capacity but also had repercussions for large-scale renewable energy sources, leading to a surge in curtailment levels, especially concerning market share.
Giles Parkinson, the founder and editor of Renew Economy, along with its affiliated platforms One Step Off The Grid and The Driven, highlighted these developments. With over 40 years of experience in journalism and a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review, Parkinson’s insights shed light on the evolving energy landscape and its implications for various stakeholders.
