Great news! More than 40% of electricity used in Australia’s main power grid at start of year was renewable

At last, some good climate news! More than 40% of electricity used in Australia’s main power grid was renewable in the first quarter of the year and data shows pollution from energy is falling. More effort is needed to achieve our 82% renewable energy target, but federal Future Made in Australia and home electrification incentives are working.

Renewable energy is supplying a record share of the power in Australia’s main energy grid, according to the latest update from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). AEMO’s Quarterly Energy Dynamics Report says renewables, including solar and wind, powered 43% of Australia’s electricity grid in the first three months of 2025 – the highest first-quarter amount in the National Energy Market’s 25-year history.

Check out this video explainer of how our renewable energy use is going up while coal energy drops.

Grid-scale solar generation (+10% from Q1 2024) and battery generation (+86%) reached all-time highs this quarter with rooftop solar (+16%) and wind (+18%) also reaching new Q1 highs.

Climate pollution in our electricity system is at its lowest ever level for Q1 (-5% compared to this time, last year), an excellent side benefit for Australians and our health.

Black and brown coal-fired generator availability declined to record Q1 lows and gas usage decreased by 8.3%, while gas prices on the east coast rose to a new Q1 record of $13.26/GJ.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: “Australians have just voted overwhelmingly for a renewable future. The newly elected Albanese Labor government can seize this mandate and go further and faster in modernising Australia’s grid and delivering on commitments to energy and climate.

“Australian households love rooftop solar and collectively they’re saving nearly $3 billion a year on their power bills. The savings will be even bigger if more households can add a battery to their solar system as promised under Labor.

“Aussies have resoundingly rejected false solutions like nuclear because we know that renewables work, but we need more of them,” she said. “And this report proves it.”

Climate Councillor and energy expert, Greg Bourne, said: “Polluting, expensive coal continues to dwindle as our renewable and battery capacity ramps up. Renewables will keep breaking records and Australia’s wholesale electricity market will continue to become cleaner and more reliable.

“The energy market operator reports that overall, our power use is increasing, and renewables are meeting the challenge. Not only that, they’re driving down climate pollution from our power system, with carbon emissions five percent lower than the same time last year. All of this is building a cleaner, safer future for our kids.”

“Importantly the use of gas went down but the price increased. Australians should be clear that the role of gas in our energy system is small and continues to shrink.”

And that’s great news for the global climate!