Green power rising in NSW
Renewable sources contributed one fifth of the NSW's power needs last year.
In 2016, renewables made a “record-breaking contribution” to the state's electricity mix, with 19.6 per cent coming from hydro, solar, wind, bioenergy and small hydro.
Coal-fired power generation accounted for 75.8 per cent of the state's electricity, with gas providing 4.6 per cent.
The Snowy Hydro scheme was the biggest of the green power sources, followed by solar from large industrial-sized projects and roofs.
One in seven NSW homes harness the sun for power – double the amount from just five years ago.
In a sign of the state’s green boom, the private sector has invested $14 billion in renewable projects, set to provide about 10,000 megawatts.
Twelve renewable energy projects are currently under construction, with an additional 37 solar farm projects are either approved or seeking approval.
But Climate Council energy specialist Andrew Stock says NSW has a way to go.
“Others states are way out in front. Queensland, South Australia and Victoria are way out in front,” he said.
Mr Stock said it was all part of a nationwide process.
“There's well over 1,000 megawatts of renewables being constructed or being committed in New South Wales and that's more than Liddell was putting into the grid in February this year when it was extremely hot and there was load shedding,” he said.
“I expect a transformation to occur, an orderly transformation, as we transition away from old coal-fired power generators to new technology, that doesn't require fuel but utilises our natural assets.”
The big renewables investors lining up nationwide, pressure on the government to set up a renewable energy target lasting beyond 2020 is increasing.
“The Turnbull Government is focused on delivering affordable and reliable energy as we transition to a lower emissions future. Our approach to energy policy is technology neutral and non-ideological,” Federal Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said in a recent statement.
“In 2016, with support from a renewable energy target, Australia saw a fivefold increase in renewable energy investment. And since, we have adopted the chief scientist's recommendation of ensuring storage is built alongside it.
“So, renewables with storage will certainly play an important role in our future energy mix — just as coal, gas and hydro will.”