Renewables to account for 73.3% of Aussie power generation by 2035

However, challenges may delay its 82% RE target by 2030.

Australia’s renewable energy capacity is projected to account for 73.3% of its total power generation by 2035, according to GlobalData.

“This marks a significant shift from 2024, when renewables accounted for 48% of installed capacity and 31.6% of generation, while thermal power represented 44% of capacity and 63.4% of generation,” GlobalData said in a new report.

Mohammed Ziauddin, power analyst at GlobalData, said the country’s energy transition is being supported by policies such as the Renewable Energy Target (RET), the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), and the Rewiring the Nation initiative, alongside state-level renewable targets.

“These measures, coupled with strong rooftop solar adoption and large-scale wind and solar development, are driving record growth in renewable capacity additions,” he added.

However, there are still challenges in achieving its 82% renewable electricity target by 2030 due to grid connection delays, permitting bottlenecks, and community resistance to new transmission infrastructure.

“Insufficient firming and storage capacity to integrate rising rooftop solar generation has also led to congestion and curtailment risks in several regions. Moreover, transmission constraints and planning uncertainty have delayed the retirement of some coal assets, putting further pressure on the 2030 target,” GlobalData said.