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
Frontier Economics and the cost of the transition: How does it stack up?
Nearly two weeks ago, headlines revealed Australia’s energy transition would be more expensive than previously estimated. This news stemmed from modelling by Frontier Economics, which highlighted long-term costs beyond the commonly cited net present value figure of $122 billion in capital cost, as outlined in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) 2024 Integrated System Plan (ISP). We took a closer look.
ISP NEM 2040 Model with VRE drought – will it be reliable?
We recently published an article on the 20-27 May 2024 Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) drought and applied it to AEMO’s 2024 Integrated System Plan (ISP) eight-day renewable drought in 2040 scenario for the National Electricity Market, excluding Queensland. Our conclusion was that the 2024 ISP VRE drought scenario does not transparently or rigorously demonstrate how the grid would perform in a VRE drought. Our concern was that when we modelled a 2040 VRE drought, we could see significant amounts of load shedding even with some simplifying assumptions made for hydro and gas-powered generation (GPG) output. Stress testing how the energy system will cope with VRE droughts well ahead of time is an important task, and the AEC has devoted significant time to developing an internal model.
The changing shape of US grid investments
As the United States ponders the implications of a new Trump Administration on energy and climate policy, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released a snapshot of grid investments over the past two decades. The data highlights that major energy companies are now spending more annually on delivery of power to homes and businesses than on the production of electricity. We take a look.
The return of Trump: What does it mean for Australia’s 2035 target?
Donald Trump’s decisive election win has given him a mandate to enact sweeping policy changes, including in the energy sector, potentially altering the US’s energy landscape. His proposals, which include halting offshore wind projects, withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement and dismantling the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), could have a knock-on effect across the globe, as countries try to navigate a path towards net zero. So, what are his policies, and what do they mean for Australia’s own emission reduction targets? We take a look.
Australian Energy Council members have access to a range of industry benefits and services.
Latest News
Review into the National Electricity Market Critically Important
The announcement today of an expert panel to review the wholesale market settings of the National Electricity Market is welcomed as a critical step towards the delivery of a reliable, affordable, and low emissions future energy system, according to the peak body for generators and retailers, the Australian Energy Council (AEC).
Latest Reports
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.
Solar Report: Third Quarter 2024
Recent figures from the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) reveal in the first nine months of 2024, rooftop solar installations for homes and businesses added 2.03 GW of capacity from 214,813 solar PV systems. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments with rooftop solar as well as post code data to identify leading suburbs installing systems.
Solar Report: First Half 2024
By the end of the first half of this year, solar PV installations had been fitted to more than 3.85 million Australian rooftops with a capacity of 23.65 GW, according to the Clean Energy Regulator. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments with rooftop solar, as well as utility-scale batteries. Read more.
Australia's Energy Future - Consumer Energy Resources
The role of consumers in the energy transition will continue to grow in significance. The Australian Energy Council’s members and other energy sector participants recognise the increasing role of CER in the energy transition as well as the value it can deliver to consumers.
Latest Submissions
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Submissions I PDF
Second Consultation – Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy
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Submissions I PDF
Inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia
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Submissions I PDF
Real-time data for consumers
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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