Solar eclipses coal as primary fuel source in Australian grid
Author: David Carroll
Two of the past three days have included periods when solar energy eclipsed coal as the lead source of power across the National Electricity Market (NEM) as Australia’s switch from fossil fuels to a renewables-dominated future continues. Solar also dominated in Western Australia’s main grid on August 20, 2022 responsible for 65.2% of midday generation requirements while coal’s market share dropped to 14% in the Southwest Interconnected System (SWIS). Rooftop solar dominated the solar market share, delivering a staggering 61% of energy in the market. Renewables, including wind, hydro and storage totalled 66.4% generation. While it is not the first time solar has dominated the market, Joshua Stabler, managing director of Brisbane-based energy consulting firm Energy Edge, said it is the first time it has happened under relatively normal conditions, noting it was not caused by a shortage of coal-fired power, and it happened outside of summer.