Electricity demand is increasing in Australia, and with it, the burning of coal and associated emissions according to the latest carbon emissions index (Cedex) Update by pitt&sherry
In the year to June 2015, total electricity emissions in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) jumped by 6,400,000 tonnes carbon dioxide-equivalent over the previous year – a rise of 4.3%
Black coal’s share of electricity generation increased by 1.1% to 51.5% and the share of brown coal, the filthiest of fossil fuels used to create power, by 2.1% to 24.3%.
All told, coal’s share of the NEM’s generation mix rose from 72.7% in June 2014 to 75.8% in June 2015. It is yet to reach the 78.1% mark seen in the year to June 2012, just prior to the ill-fated carbon tax being introduced.
“Over the next year coal seems certain to increase its share at the expense of gas, while wind generation will inevitably stagnate because of the lack of new construction because of the policy turmoil over the past two years,” said Dr Hugh Saddler, Principal Consultant, Energy Strategies at pitt&sherry.
That policy turmoil was primarily the argy-bargy over the nation’s Renewable Energy Target; which went on for 18 months. Since the legislation recently passed, several major renewable energy projects have been restarted, including White Rock Wind Farm in New South Wales and a solar farm at the site of the now-shuttered Collinsville Power Station in Queensland. .
Electricity consumption by residential and general business customers in the NEM fell for five years in a row, but in 2014-15 the Australian Electricity Market Operator estimates it to have increased by 1.4% – and this doesn’t include contribution from residential and commercial solar power.
That contribution isn’t unsubstantial. According to the NEM Watch widget, at 3.10 pm yesterday, electricity generation by solar panels in Australia reached approximately 790MW across the NEM.
“It seems as if the historically unprecedented era of falling electricity demand is, having lasted for four and a half years, now coming to an end,” said Dr. Saddler.
What doesn’t appear to be coming to an end, although it very much needs to be, is the presence of coal in Australia’s mix and the increased emissions that will come with it.
Further commentary from Dr. Saddler can be viewed here and the latest Cedex report here (PDF).
