South Australia: Killing the Planet Less.

Last Tuesday wind power supplied 58% of South Australia's electricity. South Australia's carbon emissions from the electricity sector have declined 27% over the past 5 years thanks to wind and solar power, while at the same time wholesale electricity prices have decreased.  Not too shabby by world standards.

It's an Ill Wind That Blows No One Any Good, Except Thai People Who Get to Not Drown

Oh good.  It's a windy day here in South Australia and it's neither very hot nor very cold, so now I can use my laptop without drowing Thai people.  Thank you wind power.

Back to the Future Day Blows by in South Australia

I just realised I missed Back to the Future day for wind power in South Australia. That was the day the state's wind capacity reached 1.21 gigawatts which is the amount of electrical energy required to send a Delorean through time.

South Australia Gets Over a Quarter of Its Electricity From Wind

South Australia is a world leader in wind power. Not that wind turbines are made here, we just install and use them. So I guess it would be more accurate to say South Australia is a world leader in the use of wind power. I just read some interesting information. In 2011 South Australia recieved 26% of its electricity from wind power. (If you want to be technical, a little bit of this was probably sent to Victoria, but I'm happy with the 26% figure and I'm a pedant, so don't sweat it.) The figure was 18% in 2010 and less than 1% six years ago.

As South Australia uses a lot of wind and gas to generate electricity, this means the state will come out ahead once the carbon price is introduced in July. We'll get the same reduced taxes and increased pensions but a smaller than average increase in electricity prices.

The rapid build up in wind power makes me think we might see something similar happen with solar power now that price of solar panels have dropped so low.