COMMUNITY ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS WELCOME BUT FURTHER INVESTMENT NEEDED
The announcement that further household efficiency and electrification projects are being considered across Australia is a welcome sign the Federal Government recognises home energy upgrades are the fastest and surest way of bringing down energy bills for good. But further commitments and investment is needed to ensure every household in Australia can benefit.
Four million Australian households have already taken back control of their energy bills using just solar panels, saving them an average of $1390 a year on their energy bills. But the vast majority of us are missing out on bill savings due to a lack of access.
Renew Australia for All has welcomed the news that the Federal Government and crossbench senators David Pocock, David Van, Jacqui Lambie and Lidia Thorpe have worked together in the hopes more communities can be funded to make home energy upgrades.
The community “accelerator” projects will need final approval by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), but if realised the government said it could help thousands of households, including renters, slash their bills by giving them access to energy efficiency upgrades, as well as solar and batteries. It follows $5.4 million of ARENA funding for a pilot project in Wollongong last year to support the electrification of 500 homes in NSW’s north Illawarra.
While it is a step in the right direction, more is needed. Renew Australia for All calls on the government to follow today’s announcement with an immediate investment of $5 billion to fully fund the electrification of all social housing, prioritising First Nations housing. Funding also needs to be directed to low-income owner occupiers and private rentals.
Better Renting Executive Director Joel Dignam said: “It’s great to see a targeted effort to make sure renters can benefit from electrification and the energy transition,”
“We hear from renters who hesitate to use gas heating because of the cost, but who don’t have the same options as owner-occupiers to make changes to their home. If we can identify the barriers and how to overcome them, that will mean cheaper energy and healthier homes for millions of people who rent.”
ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie said, “We applaud Senators Pocock, Lambie, Thorpe, Van and the Labor Government for listening to the voices of the community and working together to deliver this funding. This is good news for people living in hot boxes, struggling with heatwaves and high energy bills.
“We urge ARENA to ensure projects have a strong focus on low-income housing, rental properties and First Nations Communities, who are missing out on the benefits of home energy upgrades. And as we head into an election, we call on all parties and candidates to commit to a $50 billion home energy upgrade package over the next decade, that prioritises support to people and communities experiencing disadvantage.”