Australia's Evening Peak Undergoes a Structural Shift as Batteries Crush Gas

Australia's evening energy peak—the 5pm to 8pm window when the grid is under maximum pressure—has undergone a dramatic structural shift. Gas generation during these critical hours has fallen by 67% in just one year to August 2026. Meanwhile, batteries now supply a staggering 49% of the grid's dispatchable power during peak demand, up from a mere 0.4% in 2020. According to consultancy EnergyEdge, "batteries have taken the evening...