Australian grid used the least coal on record last summer as renewables shone We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Normal text size Advertisement Coal-fired power consumption in Australia hit a record low during the first three months of 2021 and gas generation crashed to the lowest level in 15 years, as renewable energy and falling prices continue to shake up the market. Figures from the Australian Energy Regulator, released on Monday, shed light on the impact of the clean energy transition sweeping the country’s main power grid and the existential challenges engulfing fossil-fuel generators.