Analysis

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Powering the EV transition: Why Victoria’s Inquiry matters

Victoria has taken an important step toward Australia’s clean transport future. The Victorian Parliament’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee Inquiry into how to better align electric vehicles (EVs) with electricity supply and demand could be one of the most thorough examinations yet of the opportunities and challenges in EV integration. For the Australian Energy Council (AEC), this inquiry represents exactly the kind of structured, evidence-based policymaking needed to align rapid EV uptake with our decarbonising electricity system. The Inquiry asks the right questions; about timing, infrastructure, the consumer experience and market design. And it comes at a time when Victoria has the chance to show national leadership in linking transport and energy policy. We take a closer look at Victoria's unique position in the energy future.

BY David Markham Nov 06 2025

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What does the Queensland Energy Roadmap mean for the 2026 ISP?

The Queensland Government recently unveiled its new Energy Roadmap for the state. The new Roadmap reshapes the pace and scale of the state’s energy transition by opting to retain the state’s existing coal assets in Queensland’s generation mix for longer. Somewhat coincidentally, the AEMC has started consultation on the “treatment of jurisdictional policies” like the Queensland Energy Roadmap in AEMO’s Integrated System Plan (“ISP’) as part of its broader Statutory Review of the ISP. So what does Queensland’s new Roadmap mean for AEMO’s signature whole-of-system electricity plan? We take a closer look.

BY Rhys Thomas Oct 30 2025

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Connects - The AEC's latest networking event

The Australian Energy Council will launch its new Connects series in Melbourne on 19 November 2025. The event will feature insights from the CEO Survey and a panel discussion with Shannon Hyde (ENGIE ANZ), Mark Collette (EnergyAustralia), and Nick Maher (SEC Newgate), with more speakers to come. Open to members and non-members, Connects brings together energy leaders and innovators for an evening of discussion and networking.

BY Australian Energy Council Oct 21 2025

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The ‘f’ word that’s critical to ensuring a successful global energy transition

You might not be aware but there’s a new ‘f’ word being floated in the energy industry. Ok, maybe it’s not that new, but it is becoming increasingly important as the world transitions to a low emissions energy system. That word is flexibility. The concept of flexibility came up time and time again at the recent International Electricity Summit held in in Sendai, Japan, which considered how the energy transition is being navigated globally. Read more

BY Louisa Kinnear Oct 16 2025

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Judicial review in environmental law – in the public interest or a public nuisance?

As the Federal Government pursues its productivity agenda, environmental approval processes are under scrutiny. While faster approvals could help, they will remain subject to judicial review. Traditionally, judicial review battles focused on fossil fuel projects, but in recent years it has been used to challenge and delay clean energy developments. This plot twist is complicating efforts to meet 2030 emissions targets and does not look like going away any time soon. Here, we examine the politics of judicial review, its impact on the energy transition, and options for reform.

BY Rhys Thomas Aug 28 2025

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Unlocking Consumer Energy Resources: Addressing data sharing barriers with retailer participation

Australia’s energy transition increasingly relies on Consumer Energy Resources (CER) such as rooftop solar, batteries, electric vehicles and smart appliances, which are now essential to system reliability, affordability and resilience. Without effective data-sharing frameworks, however, the full potential of CER cannot be realised, limiting performance, innovation and market reform. A recent consultation paper under the National CER Roadmap identifies six key barriers, with retailers well placed to address many of them through clear policy direction and regulatory alignment. We take a closer look at the barriers outlined in the paper and the future role of retailers in addressing them.

BY David Markham Aug 14 2025

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Competition a key to VPP development: ACCC report

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s most recent report on the electricity market provides good insights into the extent of emerging energy services such as virtual power plants (VPPs), electric vehicle tariffs and behavioural demand response programs. As highlighted by the focus in the ACCC’s report, retailers are actively engaging in innovation and new energy services, such as VPPs. Here we look at what the report found in relation to the emergence of VPPs, which are expected to play an important and growing role in the grid as more homes install solar with battery storage, the benefits that can accrue to customers, as well as potential areas for considerations to support this emerging new market.

BY Carl Kitchen Aug 14 2025

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Energy2050 – How Australia can achieve a net zero emissions future

As the pace and complexity of Australia’s energy transition intensifies, a new AEC project, Energy2050, aims to provide a clearer view of how the sector can realistically reach net zero by 2050. Rather than rehashing forecasts of what the energy mix will look like, the project will focus on the how - identifying the critical policy, market, and operational considerations needed to deliver a reliable, affordable and sustainable system. This week, we outline the scope of the project and the key challenges it will explore.

BY Louisa Kinnear Aug 07 2025

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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.

BY Louisa Kinnear Apr 24 2025

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Is time running out for new generation in WA?

As Western Australia edges towards its next State Election in March, the energy sector continues to be a hot button topic. Already this year, the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) has been forced to navigate record peak demand and highest demand days, a massive test for operators and market participants who successfully dealt with the challenge. Despite this resilience, the timely delivery of new generation will be critical to address the forecast capacity shortfall by the end of the decade and ensure a reliable and affordable system for industry and consumers. Removing the bottlenecks preventing new generation from connecting to the grid in a timely manner will be crucial. Here we take a look at the challenges of delivering new projects in WA and cast a spotlight on some of the issues that still need to be addressed.

BY Graham Pearson Feb 13 2025

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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.

BY Rhys Thomas & Tom Monaghan Nov 14 2024

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Europe's Power Move: Leaving Coal Behind

Next week, the world’s sixth largest economy will bid farewell to coal, with the UK closing its final coal-fired power station. Like the UK, Europe is also seeing a collective phase out of coal, with a majority of European Union states pledging to transition away from the fossil-fuel. Europe’s commitment to decarbonise has accelerated this shift, but what are the implications of this phase-out? We take a closer look.

BY Tom Monaghan Sep 26 2024