Renewable energy certificates can be created up to 12 months after small-scale systems are installed or by 31 December the year after the electricity was generated by power stations. As a result, the following complete 2013 generation year data is available to report this year.
Snapshot of 2013 generation:
- 3 753 078 megawatt hours generated by the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
- 2 710 086 megawatt hours displaced (electricity no longer required from the grid) by the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
- 16 135 712 megawatt hours of additional generation by the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target
22.6 million megawatt hours in 2013
71% large-scale
29% small-scale
In 2013, the total new renewable electricity generated or displaced under the Renewable Energy Target was 22.6 million megawatt hours. The Large-scale Renewable Energy Target contributed 71 per cent and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme contributed 29 per cent. There was a record level of additional electricity from hydro during the year.
SRES = Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
* Biomass includes food waste, food processing waste, agricultural waste, wood waste, sewage gas and biomass based components of sewage, energy crops, waste from processing of agricultural products and biomass based components of municipal solid waste, bagasse, bagasse co-generation, biomass-based components of municipal solid waste, energy crops, wood waste and black liquor.
^ Denotes estimated generation/displacement from the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme. Estimates are based on capacity, deeming methodology and postcode ratings by state.
Graph 1 shows the breakdown against different renewable energy sources. In addition, below baseline (capacity in existence when the scheme started) generation in the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target was 14.6 million megawatt hours for 2013 (see Graph 2). Accredited power stations can create certificates for electricity generated above their renewable power baselines (baselines are explained in
power station baselines).
Note: This is for the 2013 calendar year, and not all power stations created large-scale generation certificates for all their eligible generation. Figures shown have been rounded.
Graph 2 shows the megawatt hours generated by power stations with baselines, both before they reached the baseline (below baseline) and after they reached the baseline (above baseline).
Total generation under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target is approximately 31 million megawatt hours, including above and below baseline generation.
Note: This is the maximum theoretical baseline for the 2013 calendar year for accredited Renewable Energy Target power stations.
Hydro accounts for around 94% of the baseline
Graph 3 shows the baselines by renewable energy source. Hydro accounts for almost 94 per cent of the baseline, as most of the hydro power stations were generating electricity before 1997 and were therefore accredited with a renewable energy power baseline.