August Results Show the Transition Rolling On
Australia’s electricity system is powering forward. The August 2025 results underline that momentum in the energy transition is continuing, backed by new records for renewable output and battery performance. For investors, the lesson is clear: don’t sit on your hands. The shift is not waiting. Sitting on the sidelines risks missing opportunities that are already materialising.
Renewables Rising Through Winter
According to stats published at the Superpower Institute through the Open Electricity Newsletter (1) Coal generation usually declines between July and August — by more than 7% on average over the past five years — and this year followed that pattern. The final week of August set a new record for renewable generation across the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Taking a seasonal view smooths out the monthly noise, and the trend is unmistakable: variable renewable generation over winter 2025 was up about 20% across the NEM, well above the previous high in 2024. Victoria was the standout, lifting wind and solar output by 28% compared to last winter.
At the same time, demand is climbing. After plateauing from 2016 to 2021, consumption has been rising steadily. This winter was 3.4% higher than the same period last year. The implication is unavoidable: replacing fossil fuel capacity is not enough — more clean energy is needed simply to keep pace with growth.
Batteries Breaking Records
August was defined by remarkable battery milestones across the country:
Western Australia cemented itself as the “battery capital” of Australia, with monthly battery output topping 67 GWh — 23% higher than the previous record set just a month earlier. The Collie Stage 2 battery (341 MW / 1,363 MWh) was the star performer, discharging 1,246 MWh in a single day on 11 August — more than any battery had ever discharged in one day in Australia, until that record was quickly surpassed.
Queensland set a new daily charging record on 20 August, soaking up 2,164 MWh of energy. This is particularly important given the state’s high levels of solar curtailment. More than 5,000 MWh of additional batteries are under construction to help absorb excess renewable energy and reduce wasted capacity.
New South Wales reclaimed the title for highest daily battery discharge. On 25 August, batteries delivered 2,904 MWh — 28% above the previous record. Most of that came from the Waratah Super Battery, which discharged 2,169 MWh in a single day, operating at more than one full cycle in 24 hours.
These records highlight not just growth in scale, but also the versatility of storage. Batteries are integral to managing demand, reducing curtailment, and ensuring grid stability.
Reliability and Confidence
One of the strongest signals for investors is reliability. Despite the continued retirement of coal capacity, the system is coping. The August results demonstrate that renewables and storage are setting new records while keeping the lights on.
Each successful month of stable operation strengthens confidence that Australia can run a grid dominated by renewables. For investors, this reduces the perceived risk of committing capital and underpins growing sentiment in the sector.
The Investor Lens
The August results reinforce that the opportunities in the transition are broad and continuing:
Generation – Wind and solar projects remain central, with strong year-on-year growth and a clear role in meeting both replacement and new demand.
Storage – Batteries are proving their worth in multiple markets: arbitrage, system stability, and reducing curtailment. Scale and utilisation are rising rapidly.
Infrastructure – Transmission and distribution networks, together with enabling technologies, are becoming critical bottlenecks, attracting new rounds of capital.
Capital flows are already responding. Institutional investors and super funds are expanding allocations, and international investors are paying close attention. The momentum is not starting — it is continuing, and accelerating.
Why Delay is Risky
Investors often think waiting will bring more certainty. But in markets like this, certainty is bought at a premium. By the time every doubt is settled, valuations have adjusted, opportunities are fewer, and competition is higher.
Think of it like seagulls at the end of footy match. They only get the scraps where if the turned up earlier they would of had the fresher stuff.
The August results provide that rare mix of hard evidence and forward momentum. Renewables are growing, storage is scaling, and reliability is holding. Confidence is building month after month. For those who wait, the risk is not whether the transition will work, but that the returns will already be priced in.
The Bottom Line
August 2025 confirms the trajectory: renewables are rising, storage is breaking records, and reliability is intact. Momentum is continuing, not beginning. Investor sentiment is building on repeated evidence, and capital is flowing into projects and infrastructure. For investors, the challenge is not whether to participate — it is whether they can do so in time. Delaying and sitting on your hands means risks missing out on one of the defining opportunities in Australia’s energy history.
References
1. Lynton H. Open Energy The Superpower Institute “August Dispatch – Your monthly update on Australia’s electricity system.” September 2025. https://openelectricity.org.au/
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