Part 2/9:
Hilton begins by highlighting the findings of the CSIRO's GenCost report, which provides detailed data on energy generation costs. According to the report, black coal remains the cheapest new-build generation technology at approximately $111 per megawatt-hour. This base figure is significant because it directly contradicts the common assertion that renewables are now cheaper than coal.
The report's data shows that coal outperforms many variegated scenarios of wind and solar integration—even when these renewables comprise 60-80-90% of the energy mix. Notably, coal remains less expensive than 90% wind and solar configurations once integrated into the grid, a critical point given Australia’s current build trajectory emphasizing high VRE shares.