Rooftop solar and Covid shutdown lead to record lows in Australian electricity use

Wholesale prices fall 45% to 48% lower than last year in all eastern states except Tasmania

Australians' embrace of rooftop solar panels and the Covid-19 shutdown in Victoria have combined to reduce the amount of power being drawn from the national grid, with several states setting record lows for daily large-scale electricity consumption.

The drop in electricity use contributed to wholesale electricity prices being 45% to 48% lower than at the same time last year in all eastern states and territories except Tasmania.