National Energy Grid
Australia
GRID SUMMARY
As of January 2000, Australia had an electrical
generation capacity of 43 million kilowatts (or
gigawatts). Approximately 84% of this capacity
was thermal (mostly coal) and 14% of it was from
renewables (mostly hydro). In 2000, Australia generated
202.7 billion kilowatthours (BkWh) of electricity
and consumed 188.5 BkWh. ABARE expects electricity
usage to grow by 2.8% per year over the course
of this decade.
Renewable Energy
Australia is relatively well endowed with renewable
energy resources, including solar, biomass and
wind power. Renewable energy is often a viable
alternative to diesel-generated electricity in
remote areas of Australia, such as parts of Tasmania,
Western Australia and the Northern Territory, that
do not have access to the main electricity grids.
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program,
which began in July 2000, provides financial support
for the conversion of diesel-based generators to
generators dependent upon renewable energy resources
and technologies. The Photovoltaic Rebate Program
was designed specifically to support installation
of grid-connected or stand-alone photovoltaic systems.
Participants can receive rebates up to $8,250 for
a 1,500-watt photovoltaic system.
In early 2000, researchers, industry experts
and government officials met in Canberra to discuss
the potential for biomass as a future energy source.
Utilization of biomass as an energy resource could
be very important for a country, where, according
to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries,& Forestry,
Warren Truss, agriculture contributes up to 22%
of total greenhouse gas emissions. Utilization
of biomass not only could provide a use for many
agricultural wastes, but also could encourage tree
plantings which would help provide relief for areas
experiencing erosion.
Wind energy also is a feasible renewable energy
alternative. The Australian Wind Energy Association
has pledged to increase the country's wind power
generating capacity from 72 MW in 2001, to 5,000
MW by 2010. In July 2001, Pacific Hydro Ltd. opened
Australia's largest wind farm in Codrington, Victoria.
The $US 16.7-million project has a generating capacity
of 18 MW. Renewable energy currently provides about
5% of Australia's electricity generation, with
further increases depending partially on pending
legislation that would require electricity suppliers
to source an additional 2% of their electricity
from renewable energy by 2010.
Country Overview
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