South Australia is a world leader in alternative energy and the biggest contributor to the State’s grid in the middle of the day. They are entering a new phase in transitioning towards 100% renewable energy.
Both utility and rooftop scale solar peaked at an estimated 40% three times in one week, which is pushing wind and gas, which previously contended for the number one spot for years, to the second and third position. Solar showed that it has the full potential to be the number one energy source when needed most, which is the middle of the day.
Bungala solar farm
South Australia has over 800 MW of rooftop solar which often contributes to a third of the entire state’s solar power output. This however only happens for short periods, but the new difference is due to another installation. This installation is the first stage of the 110MW Bungala solar farm which will be the largest solar farm in Australia once the second stage of the farm is complete.
It is clear that with only the first stage of the solar farm active and already boosting the energy to 40%, what the potential could be once the second stage of the Bungala solar farm would do for renewable energy in South Australia.
New solar farms added in the near future
This solar farm, however, is only the start of renewable energy in South Australia. Aside from Bungala other solar farms are also nearing completion. This includes the Tailem Bend solar farm with its 106MW capacity. In addition, another solar farm is underway which would have 280MW output, the Whyalla solar farm with plans to add storage of up to 1GW, as well.
Consider that this is not all as Tilt Renewables also have plans that will go alongside its already built Snowtown wind farm. They plan a solar farm of 44MW and adds that they would expand on that capacity too since the site is capable of 300MW. This is besides the numerous smaller solar farms, which are already built and others in progress.
