Energy Networks Australia has welcomed Commonwealth Government assistance for energy bill relief provided in last night’s federal budget. 

The rebates, to be distributed to eligible customers via electricity retailers, are a centrepiece of a budget that includes a range of other positive measures to help customers with cost-of-living pressures and advance the energy transition. 

A $1.6 billion program to support energy efficiency upgrades for households and businesses was also a positive initiative to help customers use less energy and save money. 

ENA acting Chief Executive Officer, Garth Crawford, said the initiatives were welcome for households and businesses doing it tough. 

“It is pleasing to see the Commonwealth in partnership with the States and Territories recognise the important role governments can play in helping ease the extraordinary cost of living pressures Australians are facing,” he said. 

“Global events are having a significant effect across the economy and supply chains, particularly impacting the energy sector and its customers. There is also a cost to decarbonising that the bill relief and energy efficiency measures recognise. 

“Networks are doing their part to minimise impacts by keeping costs down as much as possible while ensuring we can deliver safe, reliable energy and continue to support the transition to renewables.” 

Mr Crawford also welcomed recognition in the budget of the critical role renewable hydrogen would play in delivering the net zero energy transition and called for a renewable gas target to boost investment. 

“The $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart package is an opportunity to capitalise on the huge value in Australia’s existing pipeline network. Investment in the sector could be further supported by a national renewable gas target,” he said. 

“Gas networks can play a vital role in helping decarbonising our energy system and can carry and deliver hydrogen blends to customers now. Repurposing them to deliver renewable gas will provide diversity of energy supply, retain customer choice and support electrification by providing a vital back up to intermittent renewable generation.”

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Media Contact: Jordan Oliver | 0435 855 620 | joliver@energynetworks.com.au

Energy Networks Australia is the national industry body representing Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution and gas distribution networks. Our members provide more than 16 million electricity and gas connections to almost every home and business across Australia.