SA powered by renewable energy in 2030

South Australia has the potential to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy in 15 years, becoming the first Australian state to do so.

Solar panels on a roof

SA has the potential to become the first state to be powered by 100% renewable energy in 15 years. (AAP)

South Australia could be completely powered by renewable energy in just 15 years.

A report released by the Conservation Council on Tuesday says the 100 per cent target is achievable based on extensive modelling of future power needs.

The report says renewable energy is a safe, reliable and affordable option and rejects suggestions South Australia will need more base load power.

"South Australia has a very real opportunity to become the first Australian state to reach 100 per cent renewable energy," report author Professor Mark Diesendorf from the University of NSW said.

"Our research team has taken years of real time data and matched it with detailed weather results and run hourly simulations to see if 100 per cent renewable energy is possible.

"It's not only possible, but could be done effectively and reliably within 15 years."

The report comes after news last week that Alinta Energy plans to close down its South Australian power stations and the Leigh Creek coal mine that supplies them as early as March next year.

South Australia already gets 40 per cent of its power from wind and solar energy and around a quarter of local households have rooftop solar systems.

Conservation Council chief executive Craig Wilkins said South Australia was already a world leader in renewable energy.

"The exciting thing is we don't need to wait for the federal government to act.

"If we are smart, our state is uniquely poised to attract sorely needed job-rich investment into this important industry," he said.


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Source: AAP


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