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.
Long-overdue environmental reforms a milestone for sustainable development
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) congratulates the Federal Government on its successful negotiation of comprehensive reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) with the Australian Greens, announced today.
Clean Energy Council welcomes new Board - 2025 AGM
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) held its 2025 Annual General Meeting yesterday with members electing three Directors to the Board of the CEC for a three-year term.
Update on asbestos supply chain issue (wind turbines)
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is continuing to work closely with wind industry manufacturers, relevant regulators and our member companies, following the discovery of asbestos within brake pads used in the internal service lifts of some wind turbines supplied by third-party manufacturers.
Submission to the DCCEEW Solar Sharer Offer - Consultation Paper 2025-26
The CEC supports the underlying policy goal of improving demand flexibility across the grid to lower costs, make better use of renewable generation and reduce bills for all consumers.
The Clean Energy Council and the Clean Energy Investor Group, Australia’s leading clean energy industry and investment peak bodies, warn that political grandstanding over net-zero targets risks undermining the investor confidence and policy certainty needed to build the cheap, clean and reliable power that Australians need.
Clean Energy Council welcomes NSW Liberals' support for Net Zero
The Clean Energy Council has welcomed the NSW Liberal Party’s reaffirmed commitment to Net Zero by 2050 and recognition that New South Wales must replace its ageing coal-fired power stations with modern, clean energy alternatives.
