Solar makes its mark, but demand and emissions increase in 2015

• Greenhouse emissions increase by 2.0 per cent in 2015
• NEM power consumption increases 1.1 per cent
• Solar and energy efficiency account for 1 per cent reduction in consumption
• Renewables increase market share from 11.8 per cent to 12.2 per cent
• Three renewable plants start operating and two fossil-fuel plants cease

1. Summary

Electricity consumption in the National Electricity Market (NEM) has reversed a recent trend and increased by 1.1 per cent in 2015. Underlying electricity consumption is increasing across all states with Queensland experiencing the biggest increase at 5 per cent followed by Tasmania at 3 per cent. Victoria was the only state that experienced any noticeable reduction, falling 2.6 per cent due largely to impact the closure of the Point Henry aluminium smelter at the end of July 2014. If we exclude the impact of Point Henry then Victoria’s consumption increased by nearly 1 per cent.

We estimate that the solar energy and energy efficiency activities supported by the Renewable Energy Target and various state based energy efficiency schemes reduced electricity consumption by 1,800 GWh. This is the equivalent of a 1 per cent reduction in consumption.

Renewable generation (excluding roof-top solar) accounted for 12.2 per cent of total generation which was slightly higher than 11.8 per cent market share achieved in 2014. Hydro output fell by 3.9 per cent and was offset by strong growth in wind generation which increased by 17.6 per cent. Large-scale solar made its first contribution in 2015, producing 184 GWh from the Nyngan and Broken Hill power stations in NSW.

Gas-fired generation dropped significantly in 2015 (reducing by 18.6 per cent) due to higher gas prices diverting gas into Queensland’s LNG plants. Black and Brown coal generation increased their output during 2015 increasing by 4.7 per cent and 2.6 per cent respectively.

With the increase in coal-fired generation at the expense of gas-fired generation, the emission intensity of generation increased by 1 per cent rising from 0.808 tonnes per MWh in 2014 to 0.817 in 2015. When added to the increase in overall electricity consumption, greenhouse emissions increased by 2 per cent.

Three new renewable projects started generating for the first time in 2015; Bald Hills Wind Farm (Vic), Nyngan Solar Farm (NSW) and Broken Hill Solar Farm (NSW). Two fossil fuel plants ceased generating in 2015.

This Green Market Insight analyses the changes in electricity generation and consumption in the NEM for the year ending 31 December 2015 and compares it to the same period in 2014. Our analysis is based on scheduled metered demand and metered generation data published by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and provided through NEM-Review. The data does not directly measure actual consumption as it includes transmission losses, power station auxiliary use (power used in the power station) and excludes non-scheduled generation. As transmission losses, auxiliary use and non-scheduled generation have been fairly stable over the last three years it nevertheless provides a solid basis for analysing year on year changes to electricity consumption.

Underlying electricity consumption increased across most states with Queensland and Tasmania recording increases of 5 per cent and 3 per cent respectively (Table 1). The start-up of the LNG plants explains a reasonable proportion of the growth in Queensland. The impact of the closure of the Point Henry Aluminium smelter is responsible for the reduction in Victorian consumption. If we exclude the impact of the smelter closure, Victorian consumption would have increased by nearly 1 per cent.

Approximately 660 MW a year of roof-top solar PV was installed in NEM states and created certificates under the Renewable Energy Target over the 2014 and 2015 period. This is estimated to have generated an additional 915 GWh in 2015.

The contribution of solar hot water and an array of energy efficiency activities supported by state based energy savings schemes have also contributed to lower electricity consumption. There are four energy efficiency schemes operating across the NEM; in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. We have analysed the number of certificates or abatement that has been generated by a range of approved activities over the 2014 and 2015 period to estimate the full year impact. In total, identifiable energy efficiency activities could reasonably account for 798 GWh of demand reduction in 2015 (Figure 2).

We estimate that solar installations supported by the Renewable Energy Target and energy efficiency activities supported by the various state based schemes will have

Wind generation increased by 17.6 per cent in 2015. This was due the commencement of the Bald Hills wind farm, expansion of the Portland wind farm and a full year’s output of several wind farms that commenced operating in 2014. In addition wind resources were more favourable in 2015, with those wind farms that were fully operational on 1 January 2013 producing 2.6 per cent more in 2015 than in 2014. The average capacity factor for these wind farms increased from 30.9 per cent in 2014 to 31.8 per cent in 2015. Wind accounted for 37 per cent of South Australia’s total generation in 2015, slightly higher than the 34 per cent achieved in 2014.

Snowy and Tasmanian hydro generation reduced by 4.3 per cent in 2015 and is 9.6 per cent below average generation levels (Figure 4).

4. New generation projects

Three large metered renewable generators came on line in 2015, including two large solar power stations in NSW (Table 3).

5. Generators that were closed or mothballed

Two fossil fuel power stations ceased operating during 2015 (Table 4).

6. Greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2 per cent in 2015. Half of the increase was due to an increase in electricity consumption and the other half was due to the increase in generation from more emissions intensive generators.

The average emission intensity of electricity generation increased by 1 per cent rising from 0.809 tonnes/MWh in 2014 to 0.817 tonnes/MWh in 2015. This was largely due to the significant reduction in gas fired generation which was replaced by an increase in black coal and brown coal generation.

Notes and references:

•   Electricity consumption data has been sourced from AEMO (NEM-Review) and reflects the level of scheduled generation required to meet that demand. This therefore includes power station auxiliaries and losses;
•   The AEMO metered generation data includes scheduled generators and some of the larger non-scheduled generators. Smaller non-scheduled renewables are excluded and we estimate that this amounts to at least 3,500 GWh (1.8 per cent of total generation);
•   Roof-top solar PV is not included as a generation source and is included as lower electricity consumption;
•   Emissions intensity data by NEM generator has been sourced from the ACIL Allen Report to AEMO dated 11 April 2014 “Emission Factors – Review of Emission Factors for use in the CDEII”; and
•   State and fuel source classifications for generators has also been based on the ACIL Allen Report dated 11 April 2014.