Smart Energy Council activities and advocacy

Smart Energy in action and notching up some big wins

The Smart Energy Council’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a zero emissions economy with smarter renewables policies.

Our campaigns are underpinned by unrelenting advocacy while working collaboratively with governments at state and federal level.

In recent weeks we have scored several significant wins under the new federal Labor administration which is taking strong action on climate by setting policies and targets that lay the path to a decarbonised future.

In three short months, we’ve turned the corner from battle mode to one of consultation and outcomes, and the results to date are gratifying.

The Council is also committed to updating members on its strategies and conferring on present‑day industry challenges.

On these pages we showcase the range of events staged by the Smart Energy Council with and for members.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

– Smart Energy Queensland, Sept 14,

Royal ICC, Brisbane – NSW State Summit, Nov 29,

Hilton Hotel, Sydney – National Batteries on Wheels Summit,

Nov 30, Hilton Hotel, Sydney

Sydney Energy Forum

The Smart Energy Council was well represented at the Sydney Energy Forum of early July and took advantage of the high level local and global representation to participate in several side events. These included meetings with The International Solar Alliance, the Indian Energy Minister and ReNew Power India which will lead to closer cooperation between the two nations who share aspirations in the renewables sector.

Smart Energy External Relations Manager Wayne Smith was among those at the invite-only event welcoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement to position Australia as a Renewable Energy Superpower.

Momentous moment

Staying on the political front and in one of the biggest wins to date, July 27 marked the historic introduction of the Climate Bill in the House of Representatives. The Bill includes the all-important target of 43 per cent emission reductions by 2030 (as detailed on page 8 of this magazine), a significant move that was hailed by the SEC which has been pressing for stronger emission targets. By the time this magazine hits desks we anticipate the Bill will have passed to an Act.

Sky News filmed the Victorian State Energy Summit and interviewed John Grimes and Independent MPs Monique Ryan and Zoe Daniel for additional comments.

State Energy Summit in Victoria

More than 150 delegates attended the Victorian Energy Summit of June 22 to hear from Johanna Bowyer of IEEFA, Bruce Mountain, Tristan Edis, Stephanie Bashir or Nexa Advisory, Jonathan Upson of Tilt Renewables, Warwick Johnston of SunWiz, Sentient Group’s Oliver Yates, prominent industry researcher Darrell McDonnell and more.

The event took place in the aftermath of the Energy Security Board’s proposal for the deeply unpopular fossil fuel based energy capacity mechanism.

Every bit of advocacy helps. Pressure from the SEC which was joint signatory to a public letter calling for reason produced the desired effect in light of the Energy Minister’s decision of August 12 to overrule the ESB’s proposal.

Another big win for the renewables industry.