Some analysts say Australia's renewable energy ambitions are in jeopardy.

Australia's bold plan to achieve 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030 is at risk of falling well short, according to analysts.

Both global consultancy Rystad Energy and renewable energy advisory Nexa have warned that the current pace of progress will likely only see Australia achieve around 60 per cent renewable energy by the end of the decade.

Australia currently draws between 30 and 35 per cent of its power from renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. 

But experts fear that the transition is slowing down due to various obstacles.

A major point of contention arises from the proposed high-voltage power lines that would connect wind and solar generation sources. 

These lines face opposition from critics who argue that they would cause environmental harm and impose unnecessary costs on consumers. 

In Victoria, opponents of the transmission lines have intensified their opposition, demanding the avoidance of what they perceive as detrimental consequences.

Furthermore, advocates for a stable energy grid are urging the extension of the lifespan of certain coal-fired power stations. 

This move is suggested to prevent a potential shortage of green energy from jeopardising the grid's stability. 

Tony Wood, the director of the Grattan Institute's energy program, has expressed scepticism about meeting the 2030 target, noting the inadequate progress in building the necessary transmission infrastructure.

Delays in the construction of high-voltage power lines have been identified as a major stumbling block to progress. 

Although the government allocated $20 billion in low-cost loans to aid transmission line development under the “Rewiring the Nation” scheme, experts like Mr Wood argue that the core challenge lies not in funding, but in securing approvals and speeding up construction.

David Dixon, Vice President of Australian renewable energy research at Rystad Energy, says congestion in the transmission network is a significant roadblock. 

He says Australia needs to add about four gigawatts of large-scale wind and solar power annually to meet the target, but limitations in transmission and storage capacity impede the smooth movement of excess electricity.

“This results in the curtailment of renewables, which could otherwise generate more power,” Mr Dixon said.

He proposes policy changes to stimulate demand for battery storage, which could absorb excess rooftop solar generation and reduce evening peak demand. 

He also advocated for measures to provide more certainty for investors aiming to build large-scale batteries.

Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen does not deny the difficulty of shifting to the next generation of power supplies. 

“This is a hard task,” he said recently. 

“If it was easy, someone else would have done it.”