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Draft Integrated System Plan highlights the unstoppable transition to renewables

The Draft 2022 Integrated System Plan (ISP) released by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) makes it clear that Australia is on the path to a rapid transition to renewable energy. Significant investment is required in the National Electricity Market (NEM) and network to make this transition happen safely and smoothly.

"This Draft 2022 ISP is a call to arms that we must leave no stone unturned in getting the renewable energy transition done right and getting it done fast," said Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton.

"Already, we have seen the most ambitious, aggressive forecasts from the previous ISP becoming the base case. It's happening now, and it's happening fast. So, this is not about what we might achieve by 2050. The focus needs to be very much on what needs to be done this decade."

Numbers speak louder than words, and the ISP has some monumental numbers that highlight the magnitude of the transition to renewables under the "draft optimal development path":

  • The amount of energy delivered to customers will nearly double by 2050, up from 180 TWh to approximately 330 TWh per year. If the 'Hydrogen Superpower' scenario were to emerge, energy consumption would quadruple to support a hydrogen export industry.
  • This energy will be delivered almost solely by renewables. Large-scale wind and solar capacity is projected to triple by 2030.
  • Major investment in storage will be required, with 45 GW / 620 GWh of storage needed in all its forms.
  • AEMO expects that nearly half of all Australian homes will have rooftop PV by 2030, rising to 65 per cent with 69 GW capacity by 2050, with most systems complemented by battery energy storage. Output from these units will meet nearly one-fifth of the NEM's total demand.

"Turning these projections into reality means governments around the country setting policies that deliver the scale of investment needed in renewable generation and storage, as well as transmission assets," said Thornton.

"AEMO has found that 10,000 km of new transmission is needed to connect renewable generation to consumers."

Transmission investment brings major benefits, with AEMO estimating a net market benefit of $29 billion and returning 2.5 times its investment value. There are also benefits of moving early on transmission to help keep the system resilient to an uncertain future. However, it's also important that communities are actively engaged in building these assets, with early community engagement needed to ensure investments have an appropriate social licence.

Projections within the Draft 2022 ISP also highlight the steep increase in demand on skills and supply chains from construction over the next few years.

"Competition for labour and materials, if not managed properly, can drive up the costs of projects and push out timing. Project sequencing to manage these risks will be important in maintaining regional community support," said Thornton.

The Clean Energy Council will consult with members on the detail of the Draft ISP and looks forward to working with AEMO on the final version due in 2022 and implementation.

ENDS

Further comment or interviews via:

Dr Nicholas Aberle
Clean Energy Council Director of Energy Generation and Storage
[email protected]
+61 402 512 121