1. CSIRO defends itself against attacks by conservative politicians and media for reaffirming renewables as cheapest form of electricity generation.
2. Australia drawing over 55% of power from renewable sources, with renewable energy providing 39.4% of total energy generation in 2023.
3. Investment in large-scale storage projects in Australia saw a significant increase in 2023, with a slowdown in new financial commitments to utility scale generation capacity.
CSIRO recently released its GenCost report confirming that renewables are the cheapest form of electricity generation, leading to criticism from Australia’s conservative politicians and media. Despite this, CSIRO defended its findings, with CEO Douglas Hilton emphasizing the importance of trust in science. Conservative federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton has accused CSIRO of manipulating data to favor renewables over nuclear energy, which is not yet viable in Australia.
In reality, Australia is already heavily reliant on renewables, with over 55% of its power coming from sources like wind, solar, and hydro. The Clean Energy Council reported significant growth in the renewables sector in 2023, with an increase in large-scale projects and rooftop solar installations. Investments in energy storage also saw a record-breaking year, indicating a shift towards a more sustainable energy future.
Despite calls for nuclear power, Australia’s grid is increasingly transitioning to intermittent renewables supported by battery storage. The federal government aims to add more renewables to meet its 2030 target of 82% clean energy. While state governments, energy providers, and large users support renewables for cheaper energy, the federal Opposition continues to advocate for nuclear power, despite its high costs compared to renewables.