MEDIA RELEASE | 30 November 2023
Australia should accelerate renewable-backed household electrification, after today's annual Climate Change Statement found Australia is not on track to meet the national 2030 target of 82% renewable electricity.
The statement tabled in federal parliament today finds renewables accounted for 32% of Australia's electricity generation in 2022. To meet the 82% renewables target, electricity generated by solar and wind must roughly double between now and June 2030.
"Household electrification offers the fastest, most cost effective path to meet this target, while also delivering immediate bill relief to households grappling with a sustained cost of living crisis," Rewiring Australia executive director, Dan Cass said. "No other climate solution immediately deploys proven, off-the-shelf technology to generate jobs, investment and the world's cheapest energy, while also rapidly slashing emissions."
Household electrification is the process of fitting homes with solar panels and a battery and then swapping out gas cooktops, gas hot water, gas heating and combustion engine cars with electrified versions such as induction stoves, electric heating and hot water and electric vehicles.
Decisions made around the kitchen table account for 42% of emissions in Australia's domestic consumption economy.
Today's statement, tabled by Climate Change Minister, Chris Bowen also warns that inaction and extreme weather events could strain Australia's energy networks, warning: "this fragility could be used by hostile actors.
"Infrastructure failure, extremist activity and disruptive protests could compound the impacts of disasters, water shortages or food and energy price spikes, and further erode some countries' political legitimacy. This would likely diminish their capacity to address the challenges they face, and increase the risk of conflict as countries compete for increasingly scarce resources."
Mr Cass said aggressively pursuing electrification would also help emissions reduction and economic development among Australia's Pacific neighbours.
"Electrification is the only serious energy supply solution for the Pacific which is especially vulnerable to extreme weather.
"Australia should fund rooftop solar and storage infrastructure for Pacific Island countries, and push for organsiations such as the Green Climate Fund to leverage this investment, so they can quit expensive and polluting diesel for electricity.
"Marine engines, for example, are one of the largest sources of emissions in the ocean states of the Pacific. With public technology development support it would be feasible to create an electric boating industry to replace the millions of small outboard motors powered by petroleum," said Mr Cass.
