Distribution of renewable energy generation in Australia categorized by energy sources, 2022
Clean Energy Council
27 Apr 2023
Wind energy emerged as Australia's leading renewable energy source, accounting for nearly 36% of total renewable energy production. However, small, medium, and large-scale solar cumulatively accounts for a larger share at 41%. The country's renewable energy industry commenced construction of over 5000 MW of wind and solar farms in 2022 – the highest for new renewable construction commitments on record. Australia's abundant solar radiation, averaging 58 million petajoules (PJ) annually, offers significant potential for solar power generation. This figure is around 10,000 times more than the energy it consumes. Australia also takes advantage of its wind energy potential, particularly in the southern regions where the 'roaring 40s' westerly wind flow prevails. The highest concentration of wind resources, notably around Bass Strait, makes this area ideal for wind energy production.
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