Emissions reductions delivered by renewable energy
Read our report on emissions reductions in Australia as a direct result of the uptake and acceleration of clean energy
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19 Nov 2024
Since 2015, 40 GW of new rooftop solar and large-scale renewable energy capacity has been deployed across Australia, with the share of renewables in the energy system climbing from 16 per cent to just shy of 40 per cent in 2023.
This investment has resulted in emissions being 30 per cent lower today than they would have otherwise been without the renewable energy investment since 2015. In aggregate, this has resulted in over 200 million tonnes of avoided CO2 emissions since 2015, relative to if Australia had continued to rely on the 2015 power plant fleet.
The growth in renewable generation since 2015 is estimated to have avoided 55 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in the 2023 calendar year, relative to a situation in which we had continued to rely on the generation fleet in place back in 2015. This is equal to a 30 per cent reduction in electricity emissions
This will deliver 75 million tonnes of emission reductions in that year relative to if we had
kept the 2015 mix of generation plant in place. This is a 39 per cent reduction on electricity emissions. That is equivalent to reducing the emissions from all of Australia’s cars, light commercial vehicles, and aeroplanes to zero.
That's if growth continues at the pace required to meet the Federal Government's target of 82% renewable energy by 2030.
Clean energy investment surges, Australian energy security strengthens
In the first six months of 2026, more clean energy generation capacity reached financial close and more large-scale battery storage was switched on than across the whole of 2025, the Clean Energy Council (CEC)’s latest report has revealed.
Submission on AEMO's Market Visibility Framework consultation paper
In our submission to AEMO, we urge that the framework treat different commercial users and consumers differently and that any new obligations should support continued innovation and consumer participation and investment.
Submission to NSW DCCEEW on changes to the Biodiversity Assessment Method
Our submission proposes a number of recommendations for changes to ensure the renewable energy sector does not face unintended consequences and challenges.
Submission on building AI infrastructure that works for Australia consultation paper
Our submission to the Australian Government on Building AI infrastructure that works for Australia calls for nationally consistent requirements linking new large data centre electricity demand with investment in new renewable energy and storage.
