The windy weather is paying off in South Australia with the resource generating more than half the state’s electricity last week.
The Clean Energy Council, courtesy of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), reported that 55 per cent of the energy consumed on Wednesday was generated by South Australian wind farms.
So much energy was produced that the state had to export some of its energy to neighbouring states, including Victoria.
“In the early hour on Wednesday morning 80 per cent of the state’s electricity was wind produced, falling slightly short of our September 2011 record of 85.5 per cent,” said the CEC’s Policy Director, Russel Marsh.
Wind power is significantly contributing to South Australia’s reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Mr Marsh, the increase of renewable energy sources has aided the states 27 per cent reduction of gas emissions over the last five years.
“All this wind is putting South Australia well ahead of Australia’s 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target, and provides many regional farmers and businesses with extra income.”
During the 2011-2012 financial year, 24.2 per cent of South Australia’s energy was produced by wind farms, while coal energy dropped by 9 per cent over the same period.
The reduction of coal based energies is also a reflection on resident’s uptake of solar power energy systems.
South Australia is the state leader with the nation’s highest proportion of rooftop solar panels.
The National Electricity Market (NEM) estimates one in five SA homes is now fitted with solar energy panels and saving residents up to $1,140 per year.
