Current intensity: 0.32 tCO₂e/MWh (43% renewable) · Updated
SA1 · NEM, 30-min calculation
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South Australia has the lowest average grid carbon intensity in the NEM, driven by the highest penetration of wind and solar generation of any region. The state regularly achieves periods where renewable generation exceeds total demand, pushing grid intensity close to or at zero, often accompanied by negative wholesale electricity prices.
When renewable output drops, South Australia relies on gas-fired peaking plants and imports from Victoria via the Heywood interconnector. During these periods, grid intensity can rise rapidly to 0.4–0.6 tCO₂/MWh, creating significant variation in the emission profile throughout the day.
For sustainability teams, South Australia's volatile intensity profile makes time-matched emissions tracking particularly valuable. Organisations with flexible loads can achieve a very low time-matched location-based Scope 2 figure by shifting consumption to periods of high renewable output.
South Australia has the lowest average grid carbon intensity in the NEM, often approaching zero during high wind and solar periods. The live figure and 7-day trend are shown above.
SA regularly meets total demand from wind and solar alone, pushing intensity to near zero. When renewable output drops, the state relies on gas-fired peaking plants or Heywood interconnector imports, and intensity can rise to 0.4–0.6 tCO₂/MWh within hours.
Yes. SA frequently records intervals where wind and solar output exceeds total demand, driving grid carbon intensity to or near zero, often alongside negative wholesale prices.
gridIQ derives carbon intensity from AEMO generation dispatch data combined with published fuel-source emission factors, refreshed on the same cadence as the underlying generation-mix data.