Net-zero credibility

June’s energy crunch exposed the government's emission reduction target as delusional

For the record, Australia’s East Coast states hit net zero on Wednesday, June 11 between 6pm and 7pm. That is to say, net-zero wind or solar-generated power was available in Queensland, NSW and Victoria as a cold, calm weather system settled over the continent.

It was a low point in a day of spectacular underperformance by the renewable energy industry. In the 24 hours from midday on June 11, 620 gigawatt-hours of electricity was consumed on the National Electricity Market, of which 375GWh came from coal and 91GWh from gas. The so-called renewable component – wind, solar, hydro and batteries – was just 25 per cent, well short of the Energy Minister’s 2030 benchmark.

“Yes, the 82 per cent target does have challenges,” Chris Bowen told ABC’s Insiders recently. “I’ve never suggested that it’s a linear line and it all happens easily, or it’s all automatic.”

Challenging is one way of putting it. Delusional would be another. Either way, the task of supplying electricity when it’s needed to an economy that depends on it is getting harder by the day.

As the sun set on June 11, output from weather-dependent generation fell to a trickle and the Australian Energy Market Operator was willing to accept electricity, however dirty the price.

At 5.05pm, AEMO issued a forecast lack of reserve notice for Queensland – the energy equivalent of a flashing red light. It warned there wouldn’t be