Queensland grid hits a new solar peak – 71.2 per cent of state demand

The Queensland state grid has reached a new peak in solar output – in terms of share of local demand – with a new benchmark of 71.2 per cent set at 11.35am on Thursday.

The new record for the share of solar beat the previous peak of 69.9 per cent set in September this year and combined rooftop solar (about 3.6 GW at the time) and utility scale solar (2.5 GW), according to data experts GPE NEMLog2.

There wasn’t much wind around at the time, so the total share of renewables at the time was 72.8 per cent of state demand, although that too turned out to be a record.

At the time of the new records, excess output was being exported to NSW (1.1 GW) as well as being soaked up by the state’s pumped hydro facilities (483 MW) and by battery storage (63 MW). Coal, which normally delivers 70 per cent of state demand, was reduced to a minor role.

Queensland’s average renewable share is just 28 per cent (over the last 12 months), although it reached an average of 34 per cent over the last month. It is aiming for an annual average 50 per cent by 2030, and 80 per cent by 2035.

South Australia, which averages 71 per cent over the last year – and averaged 87 per cent over the month of October – will reach “net” 100 per cent renewables within a few years, while Victoria has a target of 95 per cent renewables by 2035.