New wind output record arrives in time for evening peak, solar record beaten too

On Wednesday, New South Wales achieved a new milestone, reaching its maximum instantaneous wind output of 2,315.0 MW, at 6.30 pm (AEST), contributing nicely to the evening peak demand.

The new peak surpasses the previous record of 2,299.0 MW, set on July 20 at 4.30pm. A year earlier, this figure stood at 1,964 MW.

This increase over the past year was largely supported by three new commissioned major wind farms –
the 358 MW Rye Park, the 128 MW Flyers Creek and the 35.6 MW Cromwell 3 projects.

These projects highlight the steady progress in expanding NSW’s wind capacity, ensuring a reliable supply of clean energy to the grid.

As David Leitch recently wrote in Renew Economy, wind plays a pivotal role in complementing batteries to reduce peak prices and provide clean energy during high-demand periods.

Additionally, unlike solar, higher wind penetration requires fewer batteries because wind generation often coincides with peak demand in the evening, naturally reducing the need for storage solutions.

Why More Wind Matters

To replace coal’s dominance in the evening peak, where it still holds 63% of market share, we need steady and continuous wind expansion. Wind provides consistent energy output during peak periods, reducing reliance on gas and hydro.

With over 6 GW of new utility wind and solar capacity under construction, the future of Australia’s renewable energy landscape looks increasingly promising. However, it also underscores the need to accelerate transmission infrastructure and ensure policy certainty to unlock its full potential.

This record isn’t just a milestone—it’s evidence of how wind energy is becoming an important part of NSW’s energy mix. As wind capacity grows steadily, its role in managing peak demand and reducing emissions will only strengthen.

Geoff Eldridge is an Energy Transition Observer at Global Power Energy.

Update: The output for large scale solar also hit a new peak in NSW on Thursday, reaching 3,445 MW at 2.35pm (AEST).