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
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.
Retail reform reset: Why price controls alone won’t power the transition
In June the Federal Government announced it would review the Default Market Offer methodology used by the Australian Energy Regulator to set the safety net price for 8-9 per cent of households who are not able to or who do not go onto competitive market offers. The review is considering bringing the DMO closer to the approach used to set the separate Victorian Default Offer. To better understand the differences between DMO and VDO and help inform the review, the Australian Energy Council commissioned Ernst & Young (EY) to assess the different methodologies. Here Jo De Silva considers the report findings and the broader implications of the proposed changes, as well as other options for price reform.
Can the ECA’s network blueprint deliver better outcomes?
Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) has proposed a new planning approach: the Integrated Distribution System Plan, or IDSP. It’s not a buzzwordy rebrand of existing processes, it’s a rethink from the ground up which would see each network releasing a 20-year roadmap every two years, incorporating national forecasts, like those in the Integrated System Plan (ISP). And instead of guesswork it could deliver coordinated, transparent data that enables better planning and more efficient CER investment. We take a look at what’s proposed and the benefits it could deliver.
The energy transition and power bills: Why aren’t they cheaper?
With energy prices increasing for households and businesses there is the question: why aren’t we seeing lower bills given the promise of cheaper energy with increasing amounts of renewables in the grid. A recent working paper published by Griffith University’s Centre for Applied Energy Economics & Policy Research has tested the proposition of whether a renewables grid is cheaper than a counterfactual grid that has only coal and gas as new entrants. It provides good insights into the dynamics that have been at play.
Australian Energy Council members have access to a range of industry benefits and services.
Latest News
Joint Statement on the National Electricity Market Review
Our organisations, representing peak industry bodies across the electricity value chain, have backed the consultative process undertaken by the Federal Government-appointed expert panel as providing the best opportunity to reach coherent and enduring energy policy that will deliver the energy transition beyond 2030.
Latest Reports
Solar Report: First Quarter 2025 
In the first quarter of 2025, rooftop solar capacity for homes and businesses in Australia surpassed 26 GW, with over 4.1 million photovoltaic systems now in operation, according to the Clean Energy Regulator (CER). Alongside these latest figures, we examine solar adoption rates 25 years after the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 established the market for renewable energy certificates (RECs). We also take a closer look at the levelised cost of energy and the current payback period for residential solar systems.
Stocktake of Certificate Schemes
Retailer certificate schemes have been growing in popularity in recent years as a policy mechanism to help deliver the energy transition. This report puts forward some recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of these schemes. It also includes a deeper dive into the Victorian Energy Upgrades program and South Australian Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme.
Solar Report: Year of 2024
The penetration of Australian rooftop photovoltaics (PV) in the energy market continues to rise and last year contributed 12.95 per cent (approximately 30,500 GWh) of the nation’s total electricity generation. This is an increase from 11.72 per cent (around 26,900 GWh) on the previous year, reflecting the growing role of rooftop PV in Australia’s renewable energy transition. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments with rooftop solar, including the growing waste problem and the current payback period.
AEMO's budget framework - analysis and options for change
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) recently submitted a rule change proposal in Western Australia to amend the way its budget is set. The changes would have resulted in a shift from a fully regulated model to a NEM-like unregulated approach. Stakeholders raised concerns the proposed rule change would reduce transparency and accountability, and Energy Policy WA rejected the proposal last week. At the same time AEMO lodged its rule change proposal, the Australian Energy Council engaged Rennie Advisory to identify the root causes for what have become AEMO’s unpredictable and steadily rising costs. This report by Rennie Advisory looks at AEMO’s rule change proposal, identifies issues within the budget framework and offers some options that could be considered.
Latest Submissions
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Submissions I PDF
Efficient provision of inertia
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Submissions I PDF
Improving the Ability to Switch to a Better Offer Draft Determination
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Submissions I PDF
ACCC Unsolicited Selling and Lead Generation Review
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Submissions I PDF
Reforms to the Default Market Offer
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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