Renewable energy is supplying a record share of the power in Australia’s main energy grid, according to the latest update from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
AEMO’s Quarterly Energy Dynamics Report said renewables, including solar and wind, powered 43 per cent of Australia’s electricity grid in the first three months of 2025 - the highest first-quarter amount in the National Energy Market’s 25-year history.
The impact of the energy shift can also be seen in a 5.1 per cent reduction in total climate pollution for the quarter.
Grid-scale solar generation grew by 10 per cent year-on-year to new all-time high of 2,386 MW while rooftop solar output grew 16 per cent on 2024 to 3,782 MW, a record for Q1.
Battery output surged 86 per cent to an all-time high of 98 MW driven by new capacity entering the market.
The AEMO QED report also showed that gas usage decreased by 8.3 per cent.
Climate councillor, Greg Bourne, said the report shows that power use is increasing and renewables are meeting the challenge.
“Not only that, renewables are driving down climate pollution from our power system, with carbon emissions five per cent lower than the same time last year,” he said.
“Importantly the use of gas went down but the price increased. Australians should be clear that the role of gas in our energy system is small and continues to shrink.”