GBCA Welcomes NSW Government's Consumer Energy Strategy

The Green Building Council of Australia welcomes the NSW Government's new Consumer Energy Strategy, which focuses on making energy-saving technologies like solar, batteries, and energy efficiency upgrades more accessible to households and businesses across the state.

Davina Rooney, CEO of GBCA, praised the NSW Government's leadership in addressing both energy affordability and environmental sustainability through this comprehensive plan.

“This strategy is a game changer for NSW. By putting people at the heart of the energy transition, the NSW government is ensuring that the benefits of energy-saving technologies are accessible to all, regardless of household income or geographic location,” Ms. Rooney said.

“The commitment to new energy-saving programs, combined with solar and battery targets, is exactly what we need to reduce emissions, improve energy security, and create more resilient communities in the face of climate change.

The strategy Powering our People and Communities commits $290 million in new funding and outlines 50 actions aimed at helping households and small businesses reduce energy bills, alleviate cost-of-living pressures, and accelerate the uptake of energy-saving technologies. The focus on energy efficiency and electrification aligns with GBCA’s Every Building Counts policy platform which outlines key steps needed to achieving Australia’s national climate targets.

Among the key actions in the strategy are:

• The Home Energy Saver program, a $238.9 million initiative that will provide financial support for eligible households to upgrade to energy-saving technologies by 2025.
• New Home energy ratings, giving renters and buyers more information about the energy efficiency of homes, enabling more informed decisions about heating and cooling costs.
• Australia's first targets for solar and battery uptake, aiming for 1 million households and small businesses to have access to both rooftop solar and battery systems by 2035, and nearly 1.5 million by 2050.

Australia's residential sector accounts for around 12% of national greenhouse gas emissions, and this could rise without urgent action. The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that most buildings must be net-zero carbon by 2050 to meet global climate targets, requiring a significant boost in energy-efficient, renewable-powered

homes.

“Australia needs a major uptake in renewable energy in homes if we are to meet our emissions reduction targets and protect households from the impacts of rising energy prices and extreme weather,” Ms. Rooney said.

“This strategy sets the foundation for that transition, providing households and small businesses with the tools they need to reduce their carbon footprint while saving money.”

GBCA looks forward to continuing to work with the NSW Government and industry to drive sustainable and equitable outcomes for the built environment.

For more information on the NSW Consumer Energy Strategy, visit NSW Government Energy Strategy.