Minister Barr: Electrifying Canberra
- Written by ACT Government
Released 19/06/2024 - Joint media release
The ACT Government is investing in an all-electric, zero emissions future for Canberra with the release of a new Integrated Energy Plan, containing a range of Government commitments to support Canberrans through the transition to cheaper, cleaner energy.
The Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) 2024-2030 sets out the next stage of work for the Territory’s transition to an all-electric city over the next twenty years.
The plan builds on our nation leading success in moving to 100 percent renewable electricity since 2020 and prioritises a “just transition” that ensure all Canberrans benefit from the transition to a low emissions future.
Electrification is the cheapest and most effective pathway to net zero emissions for the ACT and it can deliver significant energy bill savings to households.
A household that swaps gas cooking, heating and hot water for efficient electric appliances can save around $735 per year – or even more with the addition of solar. While many households will be able to make these changes in coming years, we know that some households will need support to do so.
The Sustainable Household Scheme has so far facilitated over $200 million in loans, supporting individuals in electrifying their homes and their forms of transport for the almost 20,000 households (10 per cent of Canberra’s households) that have participated in the Scheme.
The ACT Government will electrify all feasible community and public housing properties in the ACT by the end of 2030. This work has already started, and we will continue to prioritise the upgrades to all community and public housing properties, along with continued energy efficiency improvements to properties.
To support lowest income and vulnerable homeowners, a new Community Partnership Electrification Program will also be delivered over two years to cover the up-front costs of energy efficiency upgrades and electrification for approximately 350 low-income households that need it most.
The IEP will also deliver support for apartment residents, who may face additional challenges to electrification. A new Retrofit Readiness program will offer free advice and electrification planning for multi-unit buildings such as apartments. The IEP will also deliver strata reform work to identify and resolve regulatory barriers to electrification upgrades in multiunit buildings, helping to reduce barriers for apartment residents.
An appropriately skilled workforce is crucial to supporting the energy transition. The IEP will also Target training subsidies to priority trades that support the energy transition, and increase subsidies for the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Technician. Australia’s first TAFE Centre of Excellence is also being hosted at the Canberra Institute of Technology in the ACT, and will focus on electric vehicles.
The ACT Government is also updating the ACT Infrastructure Plan outlining future investments in climate action, energy and environment infrastructure for Canberra’s future. This plan outlines how the Government will provide energy infrastructure to support greater electricity usage, the electrification of Government assets as well as water and natural environment protection.
These plans progress a commitment to transition to net-zero emissions by 2045 in the Parliamentary Agreement of the 10th Legislative Assembly by the ACT Labor-Greens Government.
Learn more about the ACT’s Pathway to Electrification and read the first Integrated Energy Plan on the Everyday Climate Choices website.
To read the ACT Infrastructure Plan refresh for climate action, energy and environment infrastructure, visit the Built for CBR website.
Quotes attributable to ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Climate Action, Andrew Barr:
The Integrated Energy Plan and the ACT Infrastructure Plan set out a long-term vision to build Canberra’s future.
As Canberra grows towards a city of 500,000 people by 2027, we have a plan to invest in infrastructure that supports our city’s future through affordable, clean energy.
Swapping from gas to electric appliances and investing in energy efficiency will deliver significant bill savings to Canberrans. For the 18,700 households that have already taken up loans under the SHS, to date they have already saved an estimated $43 million on their energy bills.
The ACT Government is committed to ensuring all Canberrans benefit from the transition to a low emissions future, not just those that can afford it.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury:
The commitments made today are crucial for reducing emissions and building resilience to the unavoidable impacts of climate change for decades to come.
Electrification is the cheapest pathway to net zero emissions and delivers the greatest benefits to our community.
The Integrated Energy Plan sets a clear pathway for our work to phase out fossil gas, electrify our city and ensure a “just transition”. It prioritises support for the lowest income Canberrans who most need assistance, and it provides targeted support for apartment residents to make the electrification process smoother.
Successfully transitioning our city off fossil gas will rely on the combined efforts of the entire ACT community over the coming decades. I am extremely proud of the ACT for its strong community support for climate action, and for our nation-leading commitments and achievements on climate change so far. I look forward to further successes to 2030 and beyond through the implementation of this plan.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Yvette Berry:
We’ve been working hard to deliver electrification upgrades to our public and community houses, and we’ve seen that Canberrans are eager to take this electrification journey with us.
Approximately 880 public and 132 community housing properties have already received upgrades such as ceiling insulation and gas to electric appliance upgrades. We remain committed to transition every public and community housing property by 2030.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Yvette Berry, MLA | Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases
