South Australia to reach 100% renewables as soon as 2027

South Australia is on track to get to 100% net renewable electricity by 2027, according to the state’s grid operator.

A leader in the energy transition, South Australia has already ditched coal-fired power and now is rapidly phasing out gas as well. Wind farms, and a cumulative 2GW of rooftop solar panels on homes and businesses, are now the main sources of supply.

In the year to end-September 2023, solar and wind met all of the state’s electricity needs a quarter of the time, grid operator ElectraNet says in its latest transmission planning report.

“We expect to reach 100% net renewable electricity generation by 2026–27, two years earlier than forecast last year,” the report says. “Energy from renewable sources supplied about 71% of South Australian electricity generation in 2022–23 and is forecast to exceed and remain close to 100% of South Australian demand from 2026–27.”

That’s despite growing demand for electricity as vehicles and heavy industrial processes are electrified.

“South Australia’s renewable energy is attracting international interest from businesses seeking to invest in a net-zero emissions economy,” ElectraNet CEO Simon Emms said in a statement.

Read more about the state’s energy transition plans here.