Queensland Triumphs Over NSW in State of Origin Sustainability Showdown with 54,365 Renewable Energy Installations
Solar Run has today published its findings based on publicly available data from the Clean Energy Council (CEC). They analysed the total number of solar installations in every Australian suburb from January 2020 to December 2023.
As a potential indicator for State of Origin II, Queensland has emerged as the champion of sustainability, leading the nation with an impressive 54,365 renewable energy installations. This positions Queensland at the forefront of Australia’s environmental efforts, outpacing
Victoria, which follows with 51,104 installations and NSW, which secures third place with 48,470 installations.
The significance of renewable energy installations in Australia cannot be overstated. With its abundance of natural resources, including sunlight, wind and water, Australia possesses a unique opportunity to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Renewable energy offers a clean and sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources, presenting not only environmental benefits but also economic opportunities for innovation and growth.
Greenest States by Renewable Energy Installations:
- Queensland – 54,365 installations
- Victoria – 51,104 installations
- New South Wales – 48,470 installations
- Western Australia – 44,899 installations
- Australian Capital Territory – 22,803 installations
- South Australia – 20,849 installations
- Northern Territory – 6,734 installations
- Tasmania – 6,070 installations
Anthony Kurta, Managing Director and CEO of Solar Run, says; “The data from our latest analysis is a testament to the incredible progress Australian states are making towards renewable energy adoption. We see a strong commitment from states like Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, which are leveraging their populations and policies to lead the way.
“This environmental rivalry among states highlights not just the competition, but the collective effort to ensure a sustainable future for Australia. The friendly yet fierce competition underscores the importance of renewable energy adoption across the nation, uniting states in a common goal of environmental stewardship.”
High Installation Numbers in High-Population States
Victoria and Queensland, with populations of 6.8 million and 5.4 million respectively, lead in installations. Despite Victoria having the smallest area among the states, its total installations are impressive at 51,104, indicating a high level of urban renewable energy integration. Queensland, with a larger area but a smaller population compared to Victoria, leads with 54,365 installations, reflecting aggressive renewable energy policies and more space for larger projects.
Installations Versus Area and Population Density
Western Australia, the largest state by area, has a relatively lower population density (1.02 people per km²) but recorded 44,899 installations. Despite its vast area, the focus on renewable energy is significant but not as intense per capita as it is in smaller, more densely populated states.
The ACT, with the highest population density (171.4 people per km²) and the smallest area, shows a tremendous commitment to renewable energy with 22,803 installations. South Australia, though lagging behind the significantly smaller ACT, has room for growth. Its lower figures could prompt state authorities and local governments to push for more attractive renewable energy policies.
Impact of Population Density on Renewable Energy Installation
States with lower population densities like the Northern Territory and Tasmania have fewer installations, at 6,734 and 6,070 respectively. These numbers reflect the challenges or perhaps lower urgency in spreading renewable energy infrastructure in less densely populated areas.
Conversely, states with moderate to high population densities such as NSW, Victoria and the ACT show more robust installation figures, suggesting that higher population densities might drive more significant renewable energy initiatives.
Renewable Energy Policy Implications
The data suggests that states like Victoria, Queensland and NSW are possibly leveraging their higher populations and economic activity to push for greater renewable energy adoption. This might be facilitated by both state-level policies and community initiatives oriented towards sustainability.
In contrast, the approach in vast but sparsely populated states like Western Australia and the Northern Territories may need to be different, focusing on community-specific projects or larger industrial installations that do not require dense population centres.
Future Focus
For future policy making and planning, states with lower installation numbers but great potential, such as Tasmania and the Northern Territories, might focus on targeted incentives to enhance renewable energy uptake.
States with high installation numbers should continue to innovate and perhaps share best practices with less advanced states to promote a uniform national approach to renewable energy adoption.
To access the full report and its findings, please follow this link.
