Report Finds Australia’s Electricity Demand to Rise Sharply Over Next Decade

Electricity demand is rising, with a new report warning of supply shortfalls as coal plants retire before replacements are ready.

Eraring coal-fired power station, the largest in Australia, on the shores of Lake Macquarie southeast of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. Nick Pitsas/CSIRO

Demand for large-scale energy generation will skyrocket by 21 percent over the next decade, driven heavily by the needs of data centres, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).

The 2025 Electricity Statement of Opportunities report sets out the investment needed to maintain reliable power across the nation.