Latest news with #VioletteMouchaileh
Perth Now
06-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Renewables influx a cooler change to summer energy mix
An influx of renewables into Australia's main energy grid has driven down emissions while helping counter price pressure from expensive coal, hydro and gas. Solar and wind chipped in 43 per cent of the main grid's supply in the first three months of 2025, up from 39 per cent over same period in 2024, while coal availability slipped to new first-quarter lows. Large-scale battery generation reached an all-time high, with output jumping 86 per cent to 98MW when averaged across all hours. Wholesale prices were higher in the southern states and lower in the north during the summer months, electricity system updates showed from both the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Australian Energy Regulator. AEMO's report found dry conditions impacting Tasmanian hydro were largely responsible for the nine per cent increase in overall wholesale electricity prices compared to the same period in 2024, averaging $83/MWh. Yet mainland region averages slipped from $78/MWh to $76/MWh. Compared to the last three months of 2024, average wholesale prices were six per cent lower. Upward forces in coal and hydro prices were largely offset by downward pressures from higher renewable energy availability and fewer periods of extreme price volatility, AEMO executive general manager of policy and corporate affairs Violette Mouchaileh said. "Additionally, the frequency of negative pricing increased during the quarter, particularly in the NEM's (National Electricity Market) northern regions, which was largely attributable to grid-scale solar and wind setting prices more often," she said. Electricity prices tend to be very low or negative when the wind is blowing and sun is shining, allowing solar panels and turbines to generate. Price spikes occur during unusually high demand or when lower-priced generation is not available, leaving dispatchable coal, gas hydro and batteries to fill the gap at higher levels. AEMO said less coal in the energy mix and more from solar and wind drove greenhouse gas emissions to new first-quarter lows. Total emissions dived 5.1 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2024. The ongoing growth of rooftop solar continued to take pressure off the grid despite underlying demand breaking new first-quarter records as Victorians and South Australians fired up their air conditioners on hot days. The quarterly snapshot of the energy system follows a convincing federal Labor victory at the polls that should continue the transition to renewables and the retirement of coal generators. The opposition posited a nuclear pathway to an energy grid free from climate-warming emissions, yet a second term for the Albanese government should shut the door on the alternative technology for now. East coast downstream gas market spot prices sunk by 2.8 per cent from the previous quarter, to $13.17 per GJ, but were 13.7 per cent higher than the same time in 2024.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New report reveals historic shift that is cutting energy bills for millions of households: 'Everyone, everywhere has access to the cheapest form of energy'
Australia just achieved an incredible milestone in its energy transition. Renewable power delivered almost half of the country's electricity during the final quarter of 2024, according to data from the Australian Energy Market Operator, The Guardian reported. This breakthrough marks the historic moment when coal-powered generation shrank to less than half of the energy mix. The transition to greener energy options pushed pollution measurements to their lowest points ever across the country's National Electricity Market. On Nov. 6, clean energy sources made up over three-quarters of the market's power needs. Home solar panels and commercial solar farms set new production records, with residential installations growing by nearly one-fifth and utility-scale solar expanding by almost one-tenth. This green energy success comes as conventional power plants face mounting troubles. Coal facilities experienced significant breakdowns during the quarter, with black coal plants operating at their poorest reliability ever (shrinking 6.5%). Brown coal generation dropped to unprecedented lows (falling 9.2% compared to the same period in 2023). These shifts bring tangible advantages to Australian households. Locally produced renewable power reduces dependence on fuel imports and boosts national energy security. Consumers typically enjoy more predictable and cost-effective energy bills as clean energy capacity expands. Our shared environment benefits, too. Decreased pollution means healthier air, fewer respiratory issues, and reduced stress on ecological systems. "Renewable energy supplied a record 46% of the market's electricity, peaking at 75.6% for a period on 6 November, driving emissions to record low levels," said Violette Mouchaileh, AEMO executive general manager for reform delivery. "We are building an energy grid so everyone, everywhere has access to the cheapest form of energy at any given time," Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen added. The transformation continues despite obstacles such as increased nighttime usage, grid connection limitations, and a heat wave that pushed electricity demand to its highest level ever. Even with these complications, renewable energy can satisfy Australia's growing power requirements while reducing pollution to historically minimal levels. Will America someday get all its energy from renewable sources? Yes — very soon Yes — by 2050 Yes — by 2070 Probably never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Australia says reliance on coal-fired power drops to record low
Australia's reliance on coal-fired power stations has dropped to a record low, accounting for less than 50 percent of its electricity for the first time, the market operator said Thursday. Overall electricity demand hit a record high in the final quarter of 2024 as temperatures rose and people shifted away from gas, the Australian Energy Market Operator said. At the same time, roof-top solar output surged 18 percent and grid-scale solar climbed nine percent -- both reaching record levels, it said in an update on the National Electricity Market (NEM). "The rise in rooftop solar output, coupled with record low coal-generation availability, resulted in coal-fired generation contributing less than 50 percent of the NEM's total generation for the first time," said Violette Mouchaileh, a senior official at the market operator. Renewable energy sources supplied a record 46 percent of electricity in the quarter, she said, peaking at 75.6 percent on November 6. That drove greenhouse gas emissions in the period to record lows, the market operator said. Australia's government last week announced an extra US$1.2 billion in clean energy financing to speed a transition from coal and other fossil fuels to renewables. The country -- one of the world's leading coal exporters -- has vowed to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. - Climate wars - But energy authorities say quick action is needed to fill the gap left by shuttered coal-fired power stations. Wholesale electricity prices surged 83 percent during 2024, the report noted, mostly due to high demand, the decline of available coal-fired power, and transmission constraints. "The data confirms what we know -- unreliable coal is having a negative impact on energy prices, more renewables in the system bring wholesale prices down, and new transmission infrastructure is critical to keeping prices lower," said Chris Bowen, the minister for climate change and energy. "We are building an energy grid so everyone, everywhere has access to the cheapest form of energy at any given time," he said in a statement to Australian media. Over the past decade, an ideological brawl dubbed the "climate wars" has dominated Australian politics, repeatedly undermining attempts to reduce carbon emissions. In the run-up to general elections that must be held by May 17, Australia's conservative opposition Liberal Party has announced plans to launch nuclear power so as to rely less on solar and wind. The national science agency CSIRO said in a report last month that nuclear power would be 50 percent more expensive than renewables and would take at least 15 years to build. Australia sits on bulging deposits of coal, gas, metals and minerals, with mining and fossil fuels stoking decades of near-unbroken economic growth. But it has also begun to suffer from more intense bushfires and increasingly severe droughts, which scientists have linked to climate change. djw/sft/rsc
The Guardian
29-01-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Renewables break record for share of Australia's main energy supply in December quarter, data reveals
Renewable power reached a record share of Australia's main electricity supply in the December 2024 quarter, with the contribution of coal-fired generation dipping below 50% for the first time, the Australian Energy Market Operator said. Renewable energy sources accounted for 46% of the overall supply mix in the national energy market (NEM), driving quarterly total emissions and emissions intensity to record low levels. Higher than average temperatures, including a heatwave across large parts of the country in November, contributed to the highest underlying demand in all mainland NEM regions since at least 2016. The maximum demand record for a December quarter was reached on 16 December with of 33,716 megawatts (MW), while the average quarterly total demand was 23,737 MW, also a quarter-four record. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Rooftop solar and grid-scale solar reached new output records, increasing by 18% and 9%, respectively, AEMO said. 'The rise in rooftop solar output, coupled with record low coal-generation availability, resulted in coal-fired generation contributing less than 50% of the NEM's total generation for the first time,' the AEMO executive general manager for reform delivery, Violette Mouchaileh, said. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Renewable energy supplied a record 46% of the market's electricity, peaking at 75.6% for a period on 6 November, driving emissions to record low levels.' Wholesale electricity prices averaged $88 a megawatt hour (MWh) – an 83% increase on quarter four in 2023, but a 26% decrease on the quarter three 2024 average of $119/MWh. According to AEMO's report, the year-on-year price jump was linked to an increase in coal outages – particularly brown coal, higher overnight demand and transmission constraints. Black coal-fired generators recorded all-time low availability during Q4 2024, down 6.5%, while brown coal-fired output fell to its lowest level for any quarter, down 304MW (-9.2%) from Q4 2023. AEMO said these factors contributed to higher overnight prices across the NEM and to 'several high-priced events in NSW and QLD on high demand days'. 'The data confirms what we know – unreliable coal is having a negative impact on energy prices, more renewables in the system bring wholesale prices down, and new transmission infrastructure is critical to keeping prices lower,' climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen said. 'We are building an energy grid so everyone, everywhere has access to the cheapest form of energy at any given time.'
