Media release: Energy Efficiency Council welcomes release of the National Energy Performance Strategy 05 April 2024
The Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) has welcomed today’s release of the Albanese Government's National Energy Performance Strategy (NEPS), but flagged that more work will be needed to unlock the benefits of efficiency and electrification across the Australian economy.
The NEPS recognises the important role that improving energy performance will play in reducing emissions and lowering energy bills for Australian households and businesses, cementing substantial commitments made to energy efficiency and decarbonisation in last year’s Budget.
EEC CEO Luke Menzel said the NEPS highlighted the crucial role of energy performance in the energy transition.
“We know Aussie families and businesses are doing it tough right now. The NEPS make it clear that energy efficiency paired with electrification is one of the best ways of easing those cost-of-living pressures. And as well as saving us money, energy performance improvements represent a huge unrealised emissions reduction opportunity.”
Mr Menzel urged the Government to use the NEPS as the launch pad for ambitious policy action in the months ahead.
“The NEPS provides a framework, but there is an urgent need to build out the policy and programs that will deliver the benefits of efficiency and electrification to Australian households and businesses.”
The EEC has called for:
- A national effort to rapidly scale up electrification and thermal performance improvements in homes, with a particular focus on vulnerable households;
- Expansion of Australia’s commercial building rating and disclosure framework;
- Improving industrial energy performance through support for manufacturers and food processors to better measure and manage their energy use;
- Accelerated implementation of critical appliance ratings and standards;
- Reforms to energy system governance to better include energy performance in system planning, and reducing over-investment in energy infrastructure.
Media enquiries: Alex St John, EEC Senior Advisor, 0413 698 181 | alex.stjohn@eec.org.au
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