South Australia’s time to shine, with Adelaide to host international renewables conference

South Australia’s capital, Adelaide, has been named as the host city of the 2024 International Renewable Energy Conference, one of the biggest events on the global clean energy calendar.

Adelaide’s successful bid to host the biennial summit was announced on Thursday by the federal and South Australia governments, and hailed by the Clean Energy Council as well deserved recognition of Australia’s status as an emerging clean energy superpower.

The so-called AUSIREC, slated to take place in April of 2024, will bring 3,500 delegates from government, industry and science to Australia’s renewable energy capital, in the state poised to become the world’s first grid of its size to operate without synchronous generation.

Just last month solar and wind combined to contribute just over 85% (85.4%) of South Australia’s electricity demand for December, a new record for the state. December also saw SA notch up a world-first a run of more than 10 consecutive days when the average production of wind and solar accounted for 100% of local demand.

“South Australia is at the forefront of [the renewable energy] transition, with the state the only gigawatt-scale grid in the world that regularly produces enough wind and solar power to meet all its energy needs,” said CEC chief Kane Thornton on Thursday.

“Hosting IREC 2024 in Adelaide presents a fantastic opportunity to not only showcase the Australian renewable energy industry to the world but also provides a practical demonstration of the immense possibilities of a clean energy future,” Thornton said.

Federal energy minister Chris Bowen says the Adelaide conference will have a key focus on working with Australia’s First Nations peoples in deploying clean energy projects and ensuring they benefit from the transition to renewables.

“Australia is on the path to becoming a renewable energy superpower,” said Bowen. “Forums like IREC will help us continue to work with global partners, the Pacific and First Nations to address key challenges in renewable energy and find the best path to a clean energy future for all.”

The Paris-based organisation behind the conference, REN21, says it welcomes the joint leadership of the Commonwealth of Australia, South Australia and the CEC in accelerating the renewables transition – not a phrase we might have heard during the Coalition’s time in government.

“Renewable energy delivers reliable, affordable energy services and supports development and climate objectives. It also creates opportunities for local income and jobs,” said REN21 executive director Rana Adib.

“But moving away from fossil fuels and building up renewable energy as the backbone of economy and society requires deep structural changes. It is also imperative to include stakeholders from across society to shape these new rules.”

South Australia energy minister Tom Koutsantonis says the opportunity to host the event is “a real feather in South Australia’s cap” and an opportunity to showcase its clean energy credentials, including the planned hydrogen hub on the Upper Spencer Gulf.