The Energy Market Operator has officially recognised today that the Australian community saving energy and switching to clean, renewable energy means that there is no need to build any more fossil fuel power plants for the next decade, which effectively means forever, the Australian Greens said today.

The annual Electricity Statement of Opportunities from AEMO, long seen as the guide for where new coal and gas plants need to be built to meet demand, has once again revised down projections for energy demand, showing that Australian householders and businesses are saving more energy and money and investing in clean renewable energy faster than regulators expected.

"It is great news for Australians concerned about both global warming and high energy bills that official figures now show renewable energy and energy efficiency clearly out-competing polluting coal and gas," Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"This is the community leading the way to a brighter, cleaner future, leaving Tony Abbott's deceptions and scare campaigns behind them.

"This report comes on the heels of official figures dramatically revising down expected costs of solar power, showing solar cheaper than coal is just around the corner.

"The Contracts for Closure of coal fired power stations as part of the Clean Energy Act will now clearly see renewable energy starting to replace old and dirty power generation and putting downward pressure on energy prices.

"AEMO and other energy regulators are realising that building ever more coal plants and network upgrades is no way to provide cheap, stable and clean energy to Australians.

"AEMO is also the body tasked with developing 100% renewable energy scenarios for Australia, thanks to the Greens' efforts in the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee negotiations.

"The evidence is building that a 100% renewably powered Australia is inevitable. The only question is how to transition to a 21st century clean energy economy as swiftly and efficiently as possible."