AEMO’S 2026 Integrated System Plan reinforces urgency of Australia's clean energy build

The following is attributable to Jackie Trad - Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Officer:

“AEMO’s 2026 Integrated System Plan shows electricity demand across the National Electricity Market is set to nearly double by 2050 as data centres come online alongside the electrification of mining and manufacturing.

"At the same time, ageing coal plants like Callide C are becoming less reliable and will retire over the next decade. To replace them and meet rising demand, Australia needs to roughly triple its build of large-scale renewable generation and storage. That's what keeps the system reliable and keeps a lid on costs as coal leaves.

"Households are already part of the solution. Rooftop solar is set to quadruple by 2050 and home batteries are taking off. But that investment only pays off for everyone if the grid can actually use it.

"That's where transmission comes in. Building the 6000 kilometres of new transmission in the plan would save consumers $30 billion.

"The plan is clear about what to build. The job now is to build it at a pace to replace coal generation in an orderly manner. Right now, there's a gap between projects being financed, getting built, and connecting to the grid. Closing that gap and getting transmission moving is what stands between this plan and lower, more reliable power for Australian homes and businesses."