Solar Boosts Queensland’s Renewable Energy Records

The renewable energy sector in Queensland has broken records early this year, with significant milestones achieved in solar output and warm weather conditions. Typically, spring sees a surge in renewable energy output due to favourable solar and wind conditions, alongside moderate demand driven by mild temperatures.

This year, while there hasn’t been a substantial increase in large-scale wind and solar projects, rooftop solar installations have continued to grow impressively. The first records of the season were shattered by rooftop solar, with more expected to fall as a winter heatwave sweeps across the country.

Record-Breaking Statistics

Last Sunday marked a historic moment as rooftop solar contributed over 50% (51.9%) of instantaneous generation in Queensland for the first time. This achievement led to a new record low in operational demand in the state, known for its heavy reliance on coal-generated power.

Subsequently, on Thursday, Queensland witnessed further records being broken, this time in the total share of variable renewable energy, encompassing large-scale solar and wind. The VRE share peaked at a record 72.1% on Thursday afternoon, surpassing the previous benchmark set in November.

Driving Factors Behind the Records

The early arrival of these new records, three months ahead of schedule, is primarily attributed to the remarkable growth in rooftop solar installations. At the time of the record, rooftop solar contributed 3,781 MW, while large-scale solar projects added 1,926 MW, and wind farms contributed 188 MW.

Noteworthy is the “residual demand,” calculated as total demand minus wind and solar generation, which plummeted to just 1.676 MW. This significant drop in demand occurred in a state with 8,100 MW of coal capacity, highlighting the impact of renewable energy sources.

Queensland managed to export nearly 1,300 MW of excess capacity to New South Wales, despite still having over 3.4 GW of coal generation operational. However, these coal plants were running at less than half of their capacity for most of the day.

Furthermore, around 500 MW of “curtailment” was observed, primarily due to economic factors, as wholesale prices dipped to negative values. Coal generators in NSW bid negative prices to continue operating, resulting in curtailment to manage the grid effectively.

These developments signify a significant shift towards renewable energy sources in Queensland, setting new benchmarks and highlighting the growing importance of solar power in the state’s energy mix.