Renewable energy generates enough power to run 70% of Australian homes

Australia’s renewable energy sector is within striking distance of matching national household power consumption, cranking out enough electricity to run 70% of homes last financial year, new figures show.

Wind farms are the second biggest source of renewable
energy (31%) in Australia after hydro-electricity (40%). 

The first Australian Renewable Energy Index, produced by Green Energy Markets, finds the sector will generate enough power to run 90% of homes once wind and solar projects under construction in 2016-17 are completed.

The index, funded by GetUp through supporter donations, underlines the advance of renewables, despite Australia’s electricity markets still leaning heavily on carbon-emitting coal and gas-fired generation.

Read Joshua Robertson’s story on The Guardian - “Renewable energy generates enough power to run 70% of Australian homes.”