Australia could add another gold trophy to its renewable energy cabinet, and become a world leader in home batteries and rooftop solar, if the Federal Government’s $2.3 billion election pledge to help a million more Australians households and businesses install batteries is realized.
The program would:
- Lead to more than a million more batteries in the next five years, starting July 1.
- Help more than a million households and businesses save 30% on a new battery and reap the rewards of vastly reduced power bills.
- Cut climate pollution by millions of tonnes to protect our kids.
- Make our electricity grid more reliable and secure, by reducing pressure at key times.
Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie, said: “This is Australia’s time to shine! We are the sunniest country in the world with more than 40% of our power coming from renewables. Batteries allow us to soak up that clean power when it's abundant and use it whenever we need it.
“Australians have been crying out for cost-of-living relief, and this policy would permanently lower people’s power bills. Batteries will be about 30% cheaper allowing many more households to access the technology. More batteries will also take pressure off the main grid at key times. Importantly, the ALP has committed to get this started from July.”
“This is what Australians are looking for: solutions that cut power bills and cut climate pollution. We have already been voting with our rooftops, and polling shows that one in two Aussies also want to install home batteries too.”
“Labor’s pledge will make batteries more accessible to more people right away. It is a fantastic initiative which is a win-win: cutting bills and cutting climate pollution. This policy is a stark contrast to the Federal Liberal-National Coalition that hasn’t announced a single policy to cut climate pollution or any policies to improve Australians access to clean power.
Climate Councillor and energy expert, Greg Bourne, said: “Battery storage is the next step in building a 21st century energy system powered by the sun and wind. One in two families have told us they’re keen to get batteries but the upfront cost is a barrier, so this plan smashes that hurdle.
“Labor’s battery plan can get clean power into the hands of more Australians in a few months. But, the Federal Coalition’s energy schemes will all take years, if not decades, to be realized, while unleashing billions more tonnes of dangerous climate pollution.”
“We currently install 25,000 solar systems a month: so imagine if we start doing the same with household batteries too. Australia is already a world champion in solar, so let’s get on with adding millions of batteries, too, and a new trophy to our cabinet.”
The Climate Council calls on all political parties to match the ALP’s policy commitment before the election. Our analysis shows it is possible to double the number of households and businesses with rooftop solar (by adding another 4 million by 2030) and backing this up with two million more household-level batteries, as well as a further 5000 community-level batteries. This analysis confirms then that this announcement is practical and achievable.