Abstract Australia is positioning itself to become a ‘renewable energy superpower’ and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. A GIS-based spatial analysis was conducted to assess the country’s renewable energy potential relative to projected electricity demand in 2050. The results highlight that Australia is exceptionally well-placed to lead the global renewable energy transition. Over 5.1 million km² of land was identified as potential for solar energy development, and 4.8 million km² for onshore wind energy- capable of generating electricity 256 and 132 times greater, respectively, than the projected 2050 demand. This suggests that utilising only 0.4% of the solar potential areas or 0.8% of the onshore wind potential area could meet the country’s electricity demand in 2050. Additionally, 347,578 km² of offshore wind potential area (at water depths ≤50 m) was identified, with the capacity to generate electricity 11 times greater than the projected 2050 demand. Beyond energy generation, renewable energy development could deliver substantial benefits for remote and regional communities in Australia, including enhanced energy security, reliability, independence, and socio-economic development. However, challenges remain, particularly community concern and oppositions related to land-use competition from large-scale renewable energy projects and associated infrastructure in regional areas. Future research incorporates spatial analysis that consider local economic, social and environmental factors to better support the planning processes necessary for successful energy transition. The adoption of emerging technologies such as agrivoltaics and microgrids could help mitigate land-use conflicts and environmental impacts associated with new renewable energy projects and their supporting infrastructure.
Miyake et al. (Fri,) studied this question.