New South Wales, Australia, set a new solar generation record on Tuesday, 21 January, with a maximum output of 3,525MW.
This exceeded the previous record, set on 20 December, by 76.43MW, according to Geoff Eldridge, energy transition observer at consultancy Global Power Energy.
Eldridge highlighted that this marks an 18.1% year-on-year increase, with the state achieving 2,986MW on 18 November 2023. The surge in solar output is attributed to the growing number of utility-scale solar PV plants commissioned since 2024.
David Dixon, senior analyst at Rystad Energy, stated on 13 January that New South Wales led Australian states in utility-scale solar PV generation in December 2024.
Key contributors to January’s record include the 330MW Wellington North solar PV plant in the Orana region and Fotowatio Renewable Ventures’ 353MW Walla Walla solar PV plant.
Utility-scale solar PV is pivotal in reducing New South Wales’ reliance on coal-fired power, including Eraring Power Station, Australia’s largest coal plant. The site is also home to the country’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS) under development, set to be commissioned in August 2027, to ease grid strain.
The state’s solar sector has benefited from the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), with New South Wales securing seven successful projects in its first tender round.
Notable winners include Elgin Energy’s 60MW Glanmire solar-plus-storage project and Lightsource bp’s 700MW Sandy Creek and 450MW Goulburn River projects. The Goulburn River solar farm recently received federal development approval.
