Energy in Australia

The location of renewable energy production facilities in Australia is directly
related to the climatic and geographical characteristics of different regions.
Hydroelectricity capacity in Australia is primarily located in south eastern
Australia, while wind farms are generally located in the windy southern
and western regions. Bagasse-powered electricity facilities are located
predominately in the sugarcane growing regions of Queensland, while
biogas (landfill and sewerage) facilities are more uniformly distributed.
There is one small-scale geothermal electricity facility in Queensland.
Tasmania continues to generate the largest amount of renewable electricity
in Australia, accounting for 35 per cent of Australia’s total renewable
electricity generation. Renewable energy accounted for 93 per cent of
Tasmania power generation in 2013–14, predominantly hydro.
New South Wales is the second largest producer of renewable electricity,
although this constituted only 10 per cent of its total electricity generation
in 2013–14. Hydroelectricity led the generation mix but solar PV was the
fastest growing power source over the past five years to 2013–14.
South Australia has the second largest share of renewable energy in
its generation mix with renewable fuels (predominately wind energy)
accounting for 38 per cent of its total generation in 2013–14. The
remaining states have about 10 per cent or less of renewable electricity in
their generation mix.
Employment in renewable
energy activity
It is estimated that the total direct annual full time equivalent employment
in renewable energy activities was 12,590 in 2013–14. Solar activity (solar
PV and solar hot water) was the largest source of direct employment,
accounting for 51 per cent of the total direct employment in renewable
energy activity in 2013–14. Wind and hydro energy activities together
accounted for another 36 per cent.
60 ENERGY IN AUSTRALIA 2015