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Which states are winning the renewable energy race?

Jul. 31, 2023


In this briefing: State scoreboards for renewable energy generation. Nothing like a little healthy competition.

Australians love a race. And the race is on to generate more electricity from renewables. Which state is winning? Here is a scoreboard showing the most renewable electricity generated by state.


Renewable trends

NSW did the heaviest lifting, both gross and per capita. Victoria picked up speed in 2020. Tasmania punched above its weight.

Charts below: Electricity Generated from Renewables by State since 2015 (MWh per 1000 people)



Non-renewable trends

Non-renewables: Data shows the three biggest states dragging down electricity production using fossil fuels. Meanwhile WA cruised with minimal change.

Charts below: Electricity Generated from Non-Renewables by State since 2015 (MWh per 1000 people)

Behind the wins

Which fuels are driving each state's program? Tasmania is a hydro powerhouse, Victoria's huge wind push delivered returns, and NSW's diversified strategy made it a leader.

Scoreboard below: Top Renewable Fuel Sources for each State (MWh per 1000 people in FY21/22)


What we're listening to

•  In the grips of a heatwave, the world is grappling with questions of climate change attribution.

•  Stories of Our Times from The Times in London asked whether climate change is to blame for Greece burning. Listen here.

•  The Daily from The New York Times spoke to 'the man trying to save Arizona from extreme heat'. Listen here.

•  BBC's More or Less: Behind the Stats examines what we do and don't know about data, extreme weather and climate change. Listen here.

* Data is the latest from the Federal Government's Clean Energy Regulator, which is FY21-22. Some excellent timely energy data sources are AEMO and OpenNEM 

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