Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast A blueprint to quit coal, and go green
Dec 12, 2025
Nicola Falcon, a senior executive at AEMO, leads the conversation on the 2026 Integrated System Plan with her insights on transitioning to renewable energy. She highlights that baseload power isn’t necessary for grid stability, addressing the rapid growth of batteries and their role in complementing solar energy. The discussion covers the pressing need for increased renewable capacity by 2030, challenges posed by Queensland's coal policies, and the critical importance of transmission networks in realizing significant consumer savings. Falcon also emphasizes the contributions of household resources like rooftop PV and EVs.
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Renewables + Storage Is The Least-Cost Mix
- AEMO finds the lowest-cost transition is renewables plus storage, with gas as backup rather than baseload coal.
- That core mix remains consistent despite technology and policy shifts over 18 months.
Grid-Forming Inverters Need Real Trials
- AEMO will run real-world trials of grid-forming inverters to prove they can provide system strength.
- They want evidence before relying on inverter-based solutions for large-scale stability.
Distribution And Gas Now Part Of The ISP
- The ISP now includes distribution-level resources and gas supply chain planning in its scope.
- Unlocking consumer-sited capacity could free about 4 GW without new large-scale investment.