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
Reliability Review: Why are the settings so crucial for the NEM?
While the recent focus around the National Electricity Market (NEM) has been on the Federal Government’s Expert Panel, an equally important review on the reliability standard has also been underway. In June, the Reliability Panel (The Panel) published an issues paper to initiate the 2026 Reliability Standard and Settings Review. These underlying market settings remain key to a well-functioning NEM and will work hand-in-hand with the Expert Panel’s recommendations. Here we take a look at the reliability review, some of the areas in our submission to that process as well as the rationale behind our position.
Community Power Network Trial: Potential risks and market impact
Australia leads the world in rooftop solar, yet renters, apartment dwellers and low-income households remain excluded from many of the benefits. Ausgrid’s proposed Community Power Network trial seeks to address this gap by installing and operating shared solar and batteries, with returns redistributed to local customers. While the model could broaden access, it also challenges the long-standing separation between monopoly networks and contestable markets, raising questions about precedent, competitive neutrality, cross-subsidies, and the potential for market distortion. We take a look at the trial’s design, its domestic and international precedents, associated risks and considerations, and the broader implications for the energy market.
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.
Winter Bills: Is it cheaper to heat your house with gas or electricity?
As gas and electricity prices continue to fluctuate across Australia’s east coast, households and businesses are facing rising winter energy costs and growing uncertainty. Seasonal demand, household gas consumption, and the efficiency of electric heating systems, particularly when paired with rooftop solar, are playing an increasingly important role in shaping energy bills. Drawing on data from the Australian Energy Council’s Solar Report Q2 2025, this article explores how these factors affect costs and highlights potential savings for households of different sizes.
Australian Energy Council members have access to a range of industry benefits and services.
Latest News
Collaboration leads to New Energy Sector Climate Disclosure Guides
A year-long collaboration between the peak body for energy generators and retailers, the Australian Energy Council, and the University of Adelaide has produced new guidance to uplift climate disclosure reporting across the energy sector.
Latest Reports
Powering Ahead Progressing the SWIS Transition 
The energy transition is afoot Australian as governments commit to reducing emissions from the electricity sector by transitioning away from legacy coal generation towards a mix of renewable energy, storage and peaking generation. Maintaining electricity system reliability, security and affordability through this transition requires proactive long-term planning to ensure enabling infrastructure is developed when and where needed. This report considers the West Australian transition and the risks from any delays.
AEC Emissions Reporting Guide
The AEC and the University of Adelaide have released an Emissions Reporting Guide to help the electricity sector prepare for AASB S2, aiming to standardise Scope 3 reporting, ensure accuracy, minimise double counting, and evolve with corporate climate disclosures.
AEC Scenario Analysis Practice Guide
To support AASB S2 readiness, the AEC and the University of Adelaide have developed a Scenario Analysis Practice Guide for the electricity sector, providing a framework to assess climate risks and opportunities, build analysis, test assumptions, and understand limitations.
Solar Report: Second Quarter 2025
As of June 2025, data from the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) shows rooftop solar capacity has surpassed 26.7 GW, with more than 4.15 million systems now operating nationwide. Building on these figures, we examine the cost of heating a home with gas verses solar in winter, the levelised cost of energy, and the current payback period for residential solar.
Latest Submissions
-
Submissions I PDF
Better protections for life support customers in Victoria
-
Submissions I PDF
Improving life support processes
-
Submissions I PDF
2025 Issues Paper
Send an email with your question or comment, and include your name and a short message and we'll get back to you shortly.
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