Energy Users Welcome Federal Plan & Hope it Brings A Less Partisan Approach To Climate & Energy Policy
Emily Wood | October 26, 2021
Leading advocate for large commercial and industrial energy users, the Energy Users’ Association of Australia (EUAA), welcomes today’s Emission Reduction Plan (the Plan) from the Federal Government and hopes it will be a catalyst for a less partisan approach to climate and energy policy so desperately needed in Australia.
“Achieving deep emission cuts in Australia will require significant changes to the structure of our energy systems,” said EUAA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Richards. “We welcome the Plan released from the Federal Government today that includes support for decarbonisation of hard to abate sectors which will be critical for deep emission cuts to occur.”
Importantly the Plan includes funding support for expanded electricity networks that we hope will relieve energy users from some of the cost and risk associated with large transmission assets. This issue has been top of mind for EUAA members as the scale and cost associated with re-wiring the national electricity system to accept more renewable energy is beyond anything we have experienced before.
“Federal support for new infrastructure that connects renewable energy projects and stabilises the electricity system is essential to ensure we can connect new technology while not burdening consumers with all the cost as we undergo this significant transformation in our electricity networks,” said Mr Richards.
“Likewise, aligning efforts with State and Territory governments through bilateral agreements and energy market reform is another area that we are pleased to see included. This will be important to avoid increased costs for consumers and further balkanisation of the National Electricity Market.”
“Realising opportunities for low emissions manufacturing, acceleration of clean fuel such as green hydrogen and support for other clean energy innovation and support services will be critical for hard to abate sectors where commercially viable solutions for deep emissions cuts do not currently exist.”
“We look forward to working with Federal and State Governments in the coming years on a more bipartisan climate and energy policy environment so that Australia can achieve consistent, effective and least cost actions to address climate change.”
The EUAA is the peak body representing Australian industrial and commercial energy users. EUAA membership covers a broad cross section of the Australian economy including significant retail, manufacturing and materials processing industries. Combined EUAA members employ over one million Australians, pay annual energy bills in the many billions of dollars and support the development of a lasting national energy and climate change plan that puts downward pressure on electricity and gas costs.
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Media Contact: Emily Wood 0421 042 121
