Solar Citizens welcomes NSW Consumer Energy Strategy
Solar Citizens welcomes the NSW Government's new Consumer Energy Strategy which will deliver $290 million over the next two years to help homes and businesses access the benefits of cleaner, cheaper renewable energy.
The new strategy outlines ambitious targets for consumer energy resources, specifically one million households and small businesses having access to both a rooftop solar and battery system connected to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) by 2035.
Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas said “It is exciting to see that the NSW Government recognises the potential of behind-the-meter batteries to not only provide energy bill relief to the individuals and households who need it most, but also their ability to soak up the surplus of solar generated during the day and help keep the lights on after dark.
"The NSW Consumer Energy Strategy represents the level of ambition we urgently need from all state and territory governments, as well as from the federal government.”
"Solar Citizens anticipates accelerated progress towards these targets from 1 November 2024 as the new battery rebate becomes available to NSW residents under the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, which will make batteries more affordable for solar households who are currently being impacted by the recent introduction of a two-way tariff.
"The Minns Government had previously committed $175 million towards the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI) which included solar panels but not batteries, and today Solar Citizens strongly welcomes the news that the SHEPI will include behind-the-meter battery installations connected to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
"Solar Citizens also welcomes promises from the NSW Government that the new strategy will ensure much-needed progress towards setting minimum energy efficiency standards and mandatory disclosure for rental properties, beginning with the introduction of new home energy ratings and voluntary disclosure from 2025.
“We estimate that around 60% of Australians are locked out of the benefits of rooftop solar and consumer energy resources because they are renting, living in an apartment, strata-titled property or social housing, and it is essential that these households receive the funding and support required to ensure they can fully participate in the clean energy transition by electrifying and decarbonising their homes."
The strategy also includes a $238.9 million home energy saver program, $30 million Solar for Apartment Residents program, $5 million for Community Energy Projects, plans to develop a NSW Gas Decarbonisation Roadmap as well as funding for resources and community outreach to ensure residents are informed about how to improve their home’s energy efficiency and save on bills.
“Solar Citizens strongly welcomes the NSW Government’s commitment to ensuring households are decarbonised, electrified and better protected from future cost of living impacts through direct investment into consumer energy resources such as rooftop solar and behind-the-meter batteries.”
“We now need a commitment from the NSW Government that all new homes including those planned under the Transport Oriented Development Program will be built with access to affordable renewable energy including solar, batteries, EV charging infrastructure and no new gas - ensuring buildings are future-proofed, integrated into the grid as energy producers as well as energy consumers, and reducing the need for expensive retrofitting further down the track.
"Solar Citizens’ High-Rise Electrification Pilot in Wolli Creek (NSW) has highlighted the various challenges and huge costs involved when it comes to retrofitting strata-titled apartments with rooftop solar, EV chargers, induction cooktops and heat pump hot water - hence why we need to get it right the first time with any new housing developments, especially where there is likely to be a high proportion of apartments, rental properties, social and affordable housing.
“I’m proud of the role that Solar Citizens, our supporters, allies and wider community have played in helping to ensure the new Consumer Energy Strategy delivers greater energy equity for all NSW residents through investment in rooftop solar, home batteries, community energy hubs and more.
“Done right, consumer energy resources can deliver NSW households with immediate cost of living relief, cheaper energy bills in the long run, reduced carbon pollution and improvements to public health and wellbeing through climate-safe homes, fewer transport emissions and the removal of gas in the home.
“This new Consumer Energy Strategy is a really big win for solar households and marks a turning away from policies like the introduction of the two-way tariff for solar exports, that treat consumer energy contributions as a ‘problem’ that needs solving and towards recognising their key role as producers of cleaner, cheaper energy for everyone to enjoy.”
📷: Mertie/Flickr Creative Commons
