The Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) today welcomed the Albanese Government’s adoption of regulations allowing the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to invest in research, development and demonstration of energy efficiency and electrification technologies.

Energy efficiency and electrification are key strategies to enable the clean energy transformation needed to achieve Australia’s emissions reduction targets and make the most of Australia’s abundant renewable energy resources.

EEC chief executive Luke Menzel says that a focus on energy efficiency and electrification would complement ARENA’s existing activities: “Energy efficiency and electrification bring the smart flexibility needed in a 21^st-century energy system and lets Australian households and businesses unlock Australia’s clean energy advantage.

“Harnessing efficient electric technologies is a key strategy to reduce energy use and bills, which is front of mind for households and businesses during the energy crisis.”

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency Amendment (Powering Australia) Regulations 2022 are currently before Parliament, and Luke encourages the new Parliament to support them.

“Energy efficiency and electrification supports and enhances the outstanding work done by ARENA over the past decade and helps extract the most value from investment in renewable energy,” he explains.

However, he notes that ARENA’s additional functions will require additional resourcing to perform adequately.

“We must ensure that ARENA can give proper attention to its new functions, and we urge the Government to consider extra funding for ARENA in the upcoming Budget,” Luke says.

The role of electrification and energy efficiency is particularly important for business and industry, as high gas prices are creating havoc in Australia’s manufacturing sector.