Rewiring Australia is imploring the NSW Government to make household electrification powered by renewable energy the centrepiece of its plans to turn the state into a net-zero economy.
NSW Premier Chris Minns is set to legislate greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of 50 per cent by 2030 and net-zero by 2050, as well as establishing independent advisory panel Net Zero Commission to monitor and advise on the state’s progress in achieving these goals.
The NSW Government will also replicate the Federal Government in creating a standalone Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.
Rewiring Australia is a non-profit, independent, non-partisan organisation dedicated to representing people, households and communities in the energy system. Its executive director, Dan Cass, says the group endorses the latest legislative developments in NSW’s path to net zero.
“This legislative commitment by the NSW Government marks a solid step forward in our collective fight against global heating,” he says. “To pivot towards a sustainable future, household electrification must be central to this strategy.
“Electrification is the rapid, cost-effective and proven path to significantly cut emissions while permanently slashing energy bills.”
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Cass says it is essential Net Zero Commission panel members have experience and knowledge of clean energy, investment, technology innovation and public policy, while advocating their independence to ensure a focus beyond each electoral cycle.
He adds that a live dashboard outlining the pipeline and progress of renewable energy projects should be established for the new commission, including metrics for money invested at a household and industry level; the number of fully electrified homes with solar panels; a measure of carbon abated; and a process delivering regulatory reform and workforce development.
“The Net Zero Commission should provide independent expertise and steady long-term vision to critique government policies beyond the limitations of the electoral cycle,” says Cass.
“It’s crucial it includes comprehensive plans for household electrification that is wholly independent.
“The energy market we have right now was designed for heavily polluting coal and gas. The commission must drive a new framework that empowers households, businesses and industry to generate, store, and share clean electricity.
“We also need enhanced investment in community level infrastructure such as batteries, electric vehicle chargers and network upgrades.
“As we brace for more extreme and dangerous weather, the cost of inaction grows.
“The world cannot avoid climate disaster if the coal and gas industry keeps expanding. A credible independent commission must include in its reporting all the emissions NSW enables through its exports and Scope 3 emissions.”