SA hits new peak
South Australia has set a new wind and solar record, reaching 150.7 per cent of demand.
The milestone occurred on Sunday at 9:35 am, exceeding the state's previous record from Christmas Day last year, according to reports.
Analysts say wind farms, large-scale solar, and rooftop photovoltaics generated 50.7 per cent more electricity than South Australia needed. The surplus was managed through exports, battery storage, and curtailment of excess generation.
The state reached another significant mark later in the day when residual demand - the amount left after wind and solar met local needs - dropped to negative 927 megawatts at 12:35 pm.
This surplus saw 685 MW exported to Victoria, 163 MW stored in batteries, and 730 MW curtailed.
Wholesale prices fell to minus $47/MWh, providing an opportunity for batteries to charge at minimal cost.
Gas generators, still necessary for grid services like system strength, contributed only 84 MW.
The role of gas is expected to reduce when a new link to New South Wales is completed, improving the management of excess renewable energy.
These records come as other states also achieve renewable milestones.
Queensland, the most coal-reliant state, saw large-scale solar supply 34 per cent of demand, and coal-fired generation dropped to a record low of 2,882 MW.
In Victoria, rooftop solar output peaked at 3,164 MW, though it did not trigger shutdowns despite earlier warnings.