Solar and wind energy potentials in Australia: a GIS-based assessment for Australia’s ability to transition to net-zero emissions by 2050

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 km ^2 of land was identified as potential for solar energy development, and 4.8 million km ^2 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 km ^2 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. Successful energy transition can be enabled through a combination of approaches: developing and promoting effective planning and community engagement processes, adopting emerging technologies to reduce competition for land and the potential socio-economic and environmental impacts, and leveraging existing support for renewable energy. In this context, the finer resolution of spatial analysis and mapping considering local contexts could also play a significant role in initiating conversations with local communities, supporting the engagement process, enabling local input, and guiding informed decision-making in the energy transition of regional areas.