World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia
Battery Program to Boost Affordable Clean Energy in Australia
WWF-Australia has welcomed Labor’s election commitment of a new home battery program as an important step to unlock the benefits of affordable and clean renewable energy for more Australians.
The program announced this weekend will provide a 30% discount on the up-front cost of batteries for households and small businesses in a bid to cut power bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
“This $2.3 billion investment in lowering power bills will deliver cost savings and flow-on benefits to millions of Australians,” said Rob Law, WWF-Australia’s Senior Manager, Energy Transitions.
“Supporting households with batteries will not only bring down power bills now, but provide a more reliable energy supply and make the most out of the electricity generated by Australia’s four million solar rooftops.”
WWF-Australia is part of Renew Australia For All, an alliance of more than 60 faith, social services, union, community, climate and environment groups, working to ensure all Australian households benefit from the shift to renewable energy.
The alliance has been calling on the federal government to invest $50 billion over 10 years to repower Australian homes and communities with rooftop solar, batteries, electric appliances and thermal improvements to cut energy bills and reduce climate pollution for everyone.
Mr Law said today’s announcement is significant and more needs to be done to improve the equity of the energy transition and support broader household energy upgrades.
“We cannot allow the energy transition to expand inequality in Australia,” he said.
“All Australians should benefit from the cost savings that come through renewable upgrades to homes—no matter if they rent, live in an apartment or social housing or cannot afford the upfront costs.
“We want to see greater support for solar and energy efficiency upgrades so everyone has the chance to bring down their energy bills for good and live in healthy homes that are affordable to heat and cool.”