Australia’s Rapid Renewable Energy Transition
Abstract
Australia is experiencing a remarkable renewable energy transition. The renewable electricity pipeline is about 6.3 GW per year, which is 250 Watts per person per year, the vast majority of which comprises solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind energy. This compares with 100 Watts per person per year for Germany, and about 50 Watts per person per year for the European Union, Japan, China and the USA. This paper explores the reasons for and the sustainability of this rapid Australian transition and considers whether this is a model that will be followed by other countries. The prospects for rapid greenhouse emission reductions are explored