Statement of Strategic Intent
The Australian Energy Council is the peak industry body for electricity and downstream natural gas businesses operating in the competitive wholesale and retail energy markets. AEC members generate and sell energy to 10 million homes and businesses and are major investors in renewable energy generation. The AEC supports reaching net-zero by 2050 as well as a 55 per cent emissions reduction target by 2035 and is committed to delivering the energy transition for the benefit of consumers.
Latest Analysis
Will power prices come down? Not as a result of the current election announcements
Australia’s energy system is undergoing a complex, large-scale transition which requires stable, long-term policy and investment signals. Recent announcements have focused on short-term relief measures, but these do little to address the underlying structural drivers of power prices. Achieving lower cost outcomes for consumers will depend on the timing and volumes of renewables integration (particularly wind), investment in firm, dispatchable energy sources, and better integration of consumer energy resources. Chief Executive, Louisa Kinnear, assesses the policy proposals made by both parties, and offers up a range of suggestions on what government and policymakers should focus on in order for the energy transition to be delivered at the lowest cost.
Certificate schemes – good for governments, but what about customers?
Retailer certificate schemes have been growing in popularity in recent years as a policy mechanism to help deliver the energy transition. The report puts forward some recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of these schemes. It also includes a deeper dive into the Victorian Energy Upgrades program and South Australian Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme.
Beyond the Rebate: Battery Policy, VPPs, and Household Returns
A re-elected Labor Government’s promise to cut home battery costs by 30 per cent through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) has sparked interest—and raised questions. While the move may accelerate battery uptake among solar households, critics warn it could deepen inequities by leaving renters and vulnerable customers behind. More importantly greater value will be realised if the storage capacity is also coordinated through mechanisms like Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). We take a look at the benefits of VPPs.
2025 Election: A tale of two campaigns
The election has been called and the campaigning has started in earnest. With both major parties proposing a markedly different path to deliver the energy transition and to reach net zero, we take a look at what sits beneath the big headlines and analyse how the current Labor Government is tracking towards its targets, and how a potential future Coalition Government might deliver on their commitments.
Australian Energy Council members have access to a range of industry benefits and services.
Latest News
Battery Storage Support Offers Broader Opportunity
Home batteries have an important role to play in Australia's energy transition, but the full benefits of this storage will only be realised when they can also be harnessed to deliver collective power to the grid, according to the peak body for electricity retailers, the Australian Energy Council.
Latest Reports
Stocktake of Certificate Schemes 
Retailer certificate schemes have been growing in popularity in recent years as a policy mechanism to help deliver the energy transition. This report puts forward some recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of these schemes. It also includes a deeper dive into the Victorian Energy Upgrades program and South Australian Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme.
Solar Report: Year of 2024
The penetration of Australian rooftop photovoltaics (PV) in the energy market continues to rise and last year contributed 12.95 per cent (approximately 30,500 GWh) of the nation’s total electricity generation. This is an increase from 11.72 per cent (around 26,900 GWh) on the previous year, reflecting the growing role of rooftop PV in Australia’s renewable energy transition. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments with rooftop solar, including the growing waste problem and the current payback period.
AEMO's budget framework - analysis and options for change
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) recently submitted a rule change proposal in Western Australia to amend the way its budget is set. The changes would have resulted in a shift from a fully regulated model to a NEM-like unregulated approach. Stakeholders raised concerns the proposed rule change would reduce transparency and accountability, and Energy Policy WA rejected the proposal last week. At the same time AEMO lodged its rule change proposal, the Australian Energy Council engaged Rennie Advisory to identify the root causes for what have become AEMO’s unpredictable and steadily rising costs. This report by Rennie Advisory looks at AEMO’s rule change proposal, identifies issues within the budget framework and offers some options that could be considered.
ISP NEM 2040 Model with VRE drought – will it be reliable?
The market operator’s 2024 Integrated System Plan included a renewable drought scenario. Stress testing how the energy system will cope with VRE droughts well ahead of time is an important task, and the AEC has developed an internal model to consider how the grid might perform in these circumstances. While the model is still under development and refinement it highlights some serious challenges for the grid. We take a look.
Latest Submissions
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Submissions I PDF
ECGS Reliability standard and associated settings
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Submissions I PDF
Draft Integrated System Plan (ISP) Methodology
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But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account. #Exercitation #IIamc
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer. #Exercitation #IIamc
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account. #Exercitation #IIamc
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer. #Exercitation #IIamc
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account. #Exercitation #IIamc