Australia: Queensland becomes first NEM state to discharge over 100GWh from battery storage in a month

Queensland has become the first state in Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) to discharge over 100GWh from utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in a single month.

The achievement came in April 2026, a month that also saw NEM gas generation fall to 382GWh, down 49% from 745GWh in April 2025, marking the lowest monthly gas generation in over two decades as battery storage continues to displace gas during evening peak periods.

Australia's utility-scale solar PV and wind assets generated a combined 4.7TWh in April 2026, up 24% from 3.8TWh in the same month last year, according to data from Rystad Energy. The year-on-year increase follows March's more modest 2% growth, reflecting improved wind conditions across the NEM and continued capacity additions.

Queensland emerged as the standout state for combined utility solar and wind generation, delivering 1,256GWh comprising 678GWh from utility PV and 578GWh from wind. The state's wind generation jumped 112% year-on-year, reaching 578GWh in April 2026, up from 273GWh in April 2025.

NEM wind generation reached 2.76TWh in April, up 33% from 2.08TWh in the same month last year, with wind generation increasing year-on-year across all NEM states. The top-performing wind assets were all located in Queensland and Tasmania.

NEM intraday spreads have collapsed as installed battery storage systems ramp up. The average 2-hour intraday spread was less than AU$110 (US$78.85) per MWh across all states except South Australia, which recorded AU$154 per MWh.

Geoff Eldridge of consultancy Global Power Energy estimates that approximately 571GWh of renewable energy generation was curtailed across the NEM in April, comprising 316GWh of wind and 255GWh of solar. Victoria recorded the highest curtailment at 255GWh, followed by New South Wales at 122GWh, South Australia at 100GWh and Queensland at 95GWh. 

The curtailment figures underscore the challenge facing Australia's renewable energy sector as generation capacity continues to outpace grid infrastructure development. Utility-scale solar and wind curtailment exceeded 7TWh across the NEM in 2025, underscoring the need for additional transmission capacity and energy storage to capture otherwise wasted renewable energy. 

As renewable curtailment continues to rise across Australia's NEM, advanced energy storage will play a critical role in improving grid flexibility and maximizing renewable energy utilization.

Super Power New Energy is supporting this transition with solid-state battery technology and integrated energy storage solutions designed to enhance renewable integration and reduce wasted clean energy. With proprietary 500Ah solid-state cell technology and a growing manufacturing base, our company is well positioned to support the next phase of Australia's clean energy development.