The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has announced that for one hour on 11 October solar power provided 100 per cent of South Australia’s energy needs, a first in Australia and for any major jurisdiction globally.
AEMO said mild temperatures and cloudless skies contributed to ideal energy generation conditions in South Australia, with solar power from the State’s 288,000 rooftop systems providing 992 megawatts (MW) and large-scale solar providing 313 MW.
Managing Director and Chief Executive at AEMO, Audrey Zibelman said the milestone affirmed that a world-leading scale and pace of transition to renewable energy was underway in Australia’s power system.
“The domination and successful integration of rooftop solar in South Australia foreshadows the rebuilding of jurisdictional power systems in Australia,” Ms Zibelman said.
“Never before has a jurisdiction the size of South Australia been completely run be solar power, with consumers’ rooftop solar systems contributing 77 per cent,” she said.
Ms Zibelman said the new record followed the previous milestone of 89 per cent of State demand, which was set in September this year when rooftop solar output reached 900 MW for the first time.
“South Australia is experiencing a surge in rooftop solar installations,” she said.
“AEMO is forecasting an additional 36,000 new rooftop solar systems in the next 14 months, which will mean that South Australia’s grid will see zero demand as rooftop solar alone will be capable of meeting 100 per cent of demand,” Ms Zibelman said.
