Emissions reductions delivered by renewable energy
Read our report on emissions reductions in Australia as a direct result of the uptake and acceleration of clean energy
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19 Nov 2024
Since 2015, 40 GW of new rooftop solar and large-scale renewable energy capacity has been deployed across Australia, with the share of renewables in the energy system climbing from 16 per cent to just shy of 40 per cent in 2023.
This investment has resulted in emissions being 30 per cent lower today than they would have otherwise been without the renewable energy investment since 2015. In aggregate, this has resulted in over 200 million tonnes of avoided CO2 emissions since 2015, relative to if Australia had continued to rely on the 2015 power plant fleet.
The growth in renewable generation since 2015 is estimated to have avoided 55 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in the 2023 calendar year, relative to a situation in which we had continued to rely on the generation fleet in place back in 2015. This is equal to a 30 per cent reduction in electricity emissions
This will deliver 75 million tonnes of emission reductions in that year relative to if we had
kept the 2015 mix of generation plant in place. This is a 39 per cent reduction on electricity emissions. That is equivalent to reducing the emissions from all of Australia’s cars, light commercial vehicles, and aeroplanes to zero.
That's if growth continues at the pace required to meet the Federal Government's target of 82% renewable energy by 2030.
Planned upgrades to WA's main grid a welcome boost to state's energy transition
The Clean Energy Council welcomes the release of the new South-West Interconnected System (SWIS) Transmission plan by the Cook Government, setting out a schedule of upgrades to expand transmission infrastructure and unlock over 2 GW of renewable generation capacity by 2030, and strengthen the competitiveness of local businesses and supply chains in delivering this critical component of the state’s energy transition.
Wind, solar, hydro and storage powering Australia's path to 2035
The Clean Energy Council welcomes today’s announcement by the Federal Government and Climate Change Authority in setting Australia’s next emissions reduction target. These targets are essential to give investors and communities the confidence that Australia is serious about delivering on its climate commitments.
Australia's clean fuel future has plenty in the tank
The Clean Energy Council has welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement of more than $1 billion to establish a domestic low-carbon liquid fuels industry, describing it as a landmark step in decarbonising Australia’s hardest-to-abate sectors.
Offshore wind support critical to regional Victoria
While today's announcement by the Victorian Government to delay the Victorian offshore wind procurement process is disappointing, we appreciate this will provide more time to ensure the first auction is well-placed to succeed, ultimately seeing the offshore wind sector supporting local regional development for communities in the Latrobe Valley - home to the Gippsland offshore wind zone.
Australia powers ahead on rooftop solar as nation set to achieve 2030 rooftop target - new report
Rooftop solar generated power for more than 4.2 million homes and small businesses - delivered 12.8 per cent of Australia’s electricity in first half of 2025.
