**Wind, Solar, and Battery Approvals Surge in December, Yet Pace Lags Behind Targets**

Australia’s main grid has seen a surge in connection approvals for new wind, solar, and battery projects in December, according to the latest data. However, despite the increase in approvals, the grid is still not transitioning quickly enough to meet the federal government’s target of 82% renewables by 2030. The growth of renewables has actually stalled in the last four months, as indicated by generation data.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) reported that 19 projects, totaling 4.7 gigawatts, had their grid connection applications approved in December alone. This brings the total for the current financial year to 7.5 GW, from a total of 38 projects. The acceleration in approvals reflects the significant pipeline of renewable and storage projects and the eagerness to connect to the grid.

However, while the number of approvals is increasing, actual connections and commissioning are still lagging behind. Only one project, the 30 MW Mannum solar farm in South Australia, achieved registration in December. No projects reached full output or commissioning during that month.

The lack of growth in registrations and full commissioning is concerning, especially considering the ambitious target of more than doubling Australia’s current share of renewables in just six years. The annualized totals of renewables on the main grid have remained stagnant at around 38.6% for the past few months, indicating a pause in progress and delays in actual delivery.

Battery projects have dominated the list of grid applications in recent months, followed by large-scale solar. Wind energy trails behind in third place, raising concerns among analysts and policymakers due to its importance in balancing out the heavy reliance on daytime solar. The planning process and the decreasing costs of solar PV modules have contributed to this trend. However, the number of negative pricing events during the day has diminished the value of solar, creating an incentive for more storage.

Overall, while the increase in connection approvals for new wind, solar, and battery projects is a positive sign, there is still a need for faster progress to meet the renewable energy targets. The Australian government and industry stakeholders must work together to overcome the challenges and ensure a smooth transition to a more sustainable energy future.