While the rest of the world debates clean energy targets, South Australia is busy smashing them. A small rural town in the state has joined the renewable transformation, generating a whopping 70% of its power from homegrown renewable sources. Not bad for a place you probably couldn’t find on a map.
South Australia itself has become something of a clean energy rock star, with over 70% of its electricity coming from renewables. That’s double the national average of 36.3%. The rest of Australia is playing catch-up while South Australia races toward its 100% net renewable energy target for 2027.
South Australia’s renewable revolution isn’t waiting for permission—it’s already powering ahead of the pack.
Wind dominates the renewable arena, pumping out nearly 45% of South Australia’s total energy. Those giant white turbines you see dotting the countryside? They’re not just for show. They work. Along with large-scale solar projects providing another 20% of generation, the state has transformed from energy laggard to leader in just 16 years. This mirrors the global trend where solar power accounted for three-quarters of new renewable installations in 2023.
The change didn’t happen by accident. Over A$6 billion has already been invested in large-scale renewables and storage across South Australia. Another A$20 billion is in the pipeline. That’s serious money for serious results.
Local communities aren’t just watching from the sidelines. They’re getting in on the action. The model of community-owned renewable projects is gaining traction, with small towns taking control of their energy destiny. It’s not just about saving the planet. It’s about saving money and building resilience.
Grid integration hasn’t been the nightmare critics predicted. Battery storage, increased by 86% year-on-year, keeps things stable. This follows a national trend where battery generation surged by 86%, reaching record highs across Australia’s main power grid. The state exports excess power to neighbors through interconnections. Emissions are down. Pollution is down. Prices are stabilizing.
South Australia spent 180 days in 2021 running entirely on renewables. That’s nearly half a year without fossil fuels. While politicians elsewhere make speeches about climate action, this Australian state actually does something. And those tiny towns? They’re showing how it’s done.
References
- https://energymining.sa.gov.au/consumers/energy-grid-and-supply/our-electricity-supply-and-market
- https://energymining.sa.gov.au/industry/hydrogen-and-renewable-energy/leading-the-green-economy
- https://www.nationofchange.org/2025/05/08/renewables-generated-43-of-electricity-used-by-australias-main-power-grid-in-first-quarter-of-2025/
- https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/getmedia/f40cd064-1427-4b87-afb0-7e89f4e1b3b4/clean-energy-australia-report-2025.pdf
- https://soe.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental-themes/liveability/energy
