Peak load tipped to double as industries flock to Australia’s world-first 100 pct renewables grid

Peak demand in South Australia is expected to double over the next 15 years as industry flocks to the state, attracted by its high level of renewables and its unique status as the world’s first gigawatt-scale grid to reach 100 per cent net renewables.

The state transmission company ElectraNet says the state is on the verge of a “once-in-a-generation” economic growth opportunity, underpinned by low cost, reliable and green grid.

ElectraNet says interest in connecting to the state transmission network is at its highest level in decades, and peak electricity demand is forecast to double over the next 15 years, from 3.3 gigawatts currently to more than 6.5 GW.

“South Australia is facing a jobs boom as industries seek to access the State’s unique combination of valuable minerals and world-class wind and solar renewable energy,” ElectraNet CEO Simon Emms said in a statement.

“As industries such as mining, steelmaking, defence and AI expand, the demand for electricity in the State is set to grow significantly. 

“We have the opportunity set the new global standard for a modern economy, where rapidly growing business and industry are supported by clean energy.

“Timely investment in the transmission network will be the key to unlocking this economic growth across South Australia and the thousands of jobs that come with it.”

South Australia currently sources around 75 per cent of its annual electricity demand from wind and solar, but it has a target of reaching 100 per cent “net” renewables by the end of next year.

The net means that it will import and export with neighbouring states when needed, and it will continue to burn some gas for security and reliability needs. But over the course of the year, wind and solar will have generated the equivalent of all the state’s electricity needs. It will be a world-first.

ElectraNet’s predictions are included in its latest transmission report, which inevitably argues the case for new transmission lines to support the expansion of wind and solar in as yet untapped regions, and to support the increased load along the main transmission routes.

The predictions are, however, consistent with forecasts from the state government and other key energy utilities in the state, and reflect the opportunity for growth and electrification in mining, steel production, data centres and defence, as well as desalination.

“Transmission infrastructure will be vital to create an electricity superhighway, taking energy from the source to where it is needed, and managing the peaks and troughs of demand,” Emms said.

“So while South Australia has an exciting economic opportunity ahead, we must have the ability to take it. It is vital that we get the planning right and that regulators and governing bodies continue to evolve with us as we tackle truly unique energy circumstances.”

ElectraNet cites a number key transmission projects that it says are needed to accommodate this growth.

These include an upgrade of the network between Port Augusta and Whyalla and into the Eyre Peninsular, an upgrade of the south-east transmission line, and a reinforcement of the main mid-north trunk line. All are designed to accommodate more renewables in as yet untapped regions, as well as added load.

There is also the proposed Northern Transmission project, which would supply demand growth in Adelaide, and the mid-north around Bundey and Whyalla, and allow more renewables.

“New transmission will be essential to connect new generation and storage to existing customer demand, and to meet increasing demand from electrification and emerging industrial expansion,” Emms said.

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