Over 4 GW of new energy capacity hits full output in Australia

Latest numbers were double the year prior.

The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) has reported that 29 projects totalling 4.4 gigawatts (GW) have reached full output in the National Electricity Market (NEM) in the 12 months to June.

AEMO Executive General Manager System Design Merryn York noted that this achievement was double what was recorded the previous year.

In the June quarter alone, 10 projects with a 1.5 GW capacity reached full output.

The new projects that are now competing in the NEM include grid-scale solar (1.52 GW), wind (1.42 GW), hybrid solar plus battery (0.13 GW), standalone batteries (1.3 GW) and gas (43 megawatts).

“At the end of June, there were 260 projects (totalling 53 GW) in the connections process, a 39% increase in capacity compared to the same time last year. Of this, 7 GW is already built and commissioning to full output,” York said.

There are also 37 projects (9 GW) that reached registration, and 60 projects (15.7 GW) securing application approvals.

“We’re seeing more hybrid projects, typically solar and grid-scale batteries, and standalone batteries with grid-forming inverters,” York said.

In addition to the seven grid forming batteries in the NEM, there are 78 others with 15.6 GW capacity that are progressing through the pipeline.