Power prices surge as renewables output flatlines in Australia

According to The Australian Financial Review, Australia’s transition to low-carbon energy has been complicated by a third-straight quarterly increase in coal power generation, buffeted by a smaller contribution from large-scale solar farms as they are edged out of the grid by households.
The figures from the University of NSW confirm the extent of curtailment at solar farms amid soaring rooftop solar generation, with the drop in output from large-scale solar plants detected despite their increased capacity, measured year-on-year. Wholesale power prices increased over the same time frame.
Subdued demand for electricity and bumper generation from rooftop panels has regularly forced extraordinary cutbacks in output from large renewable sources witnessed over the past several weeks. Owners of solar and wind farms are compelled to switch off plants to save themselves from losses when prices sink to zero, or even lower.

https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/power-prices-surge-as-renewables-output-flatlines-20241007-p5kgcd