South Australia is standing on the verge of a ‘once-in-a-generation’ industrial boom, with new data revealing that electricity demand is forecast to double over the next 15 years.
According to ElectraNet’s 2026 Transmission Annual Planning Report (TAPR), the state’s peak demand is expected to skyrocket from its current 3.3 gigawatts (GW) to more than 6.5GW by 2040.
This unprecedented surge is being driven by a perfect storm of renewable energy resources and a massive influx of interest from energy-intensive industries.
ElectraNet CEO Simon Emms said the report signals a dramatic reversal of decades of flat demand, pointing to a looming jobs boom as global players look to tap into SA’s green energy grid.
“As industries such as mining, steelmaking, defence and AI expand, the demand for electricity in the state is set to grow significantly,” Emms said.
“We have the opportunity to set a new global standard for a modern economy where rapidly growing industry is supported by clean energy.”
The 2026 TAPR identifies several hot spots where connection demand is expected to increase.
Demand in Greater Adelaide, the Mid North and South East will be driven by the AI revolution and a surge in massive data centres.
In the Eyre Peninsula and the Upper Spencer Gul regions, growth will be driven by green steel production at Whyalla, the Northern Water project, and critical minerals mining.
However, meeting this demand will rely on planning and improving infrastructure to provide reliable and sustainable electricity supply.
“Transmission infrastructure will be vital to create an electricity superhighway, taking energy from the source to where it is needed, and managing the peaks and troughs of demand,” Emms said.
The TAPR highlights three proposed transmission projects that will be important to South Australia’s growth over the next 15 years.
The Northern Transmission Project (NTx) will boost reliability across the north and east, while the Eyre Peninsula Upgrade, slated for 2027/28, will upgrade lines to 275 kV to unlock new mining and wind projects.
Additionally, the South East Expansion will support growth in timber and biomass manufacturing.
