A missed opportunity to deliver permanent energy bill relief and plug the looming gas supply gap

In the last couple of weeks the Federal Government has brought down a budget that does nothing to help householders electrify, and a gas strategy based on the premise that fossil “gas is needed through to 2050 and beyond.” Whilst the Government has promised a $300 rebate on every household’s energy bill, this one-off sugar hit is seen by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) as a missed opportunity to deliver permanent energy bill relief to those most in need. Permanent bill relief could have been achieved if householders were helped to get off gas and electrify by installing rooftop solar and batteries. Furthermore, the looming gas supply gap the government wants to fill with more gas, could be plugged by reducing household gas use. Joshua Runciman is the lead analyst for Australian gas at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, IEEFA. For more information about electrification and energy efficiency https://switchedon.reneweconomy.com.au