IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY: CHEAPER POWER AND MORE JOBS
February 08, 2019
A new report out today by Green Energy Markets commissioned by the Energy Efficiency Council shows that an ambitious strategy to improve the energy efficiency of homes and businesses would:
- Cut energy bills by $7.7 billion every year
- Create more than 43,000 FTE jobs
- Save enough gas in households to meet 25 per cent of Australia’s manufacturing gas needs
Five years of energy policy chaos under the Liberals has seen Australia’s energy efficiency performance deteriorate, with the International Energy Agency now ranking Australia last out of developed countries in energy efficiency policy and performance. This drives up costs for businesses and households, and undermines jobs.
As announced as part of Labor’s plan for more renewables and cheaper power we will implement a suite of measures to help Australian businesses and households to improve their energy efficiency and cut their power bills.
We will:
- Provide one thousand grants of up to $20,000 to Australian manufacturers to help them reduce their energy usage – for example, through energy management systems and data gathering and analysis;
- Expand the remit of ARENA to allow support for energy efficiency projects;
- Develop new training programs for energy managers and consultants, and an accreditation system for energy auditors;
- Conduct a comprehensive and detailed Energy Affordability and Productivity Review to increase deliver a more ambitious National Energy Productivity Plan
- Work with States to improve and harmonise state and territory energy efficiency initiatives through COAG, including the introduction of a national home comfort rating system.
Only a Shorten Labor Government has a plan to reduce power bills, create good new jobs and improve Australia’s energy efficiency.
FRIDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: LUCY CARUSO 0408 803 428