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
Nuclear Fusion Deals – Based on reality or a dream?
Last week, Italian energy company ENI announced a $1 billion (USD) purchase of electricity from U.S.-based Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), described as the world’s leading commercial fusion energy company and backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures. CFS plans to start building its Arc facility in 2027–28, targeting electricity supply to the grid in the early 2030s. Earlier this year, Google also signed a commercial agreement with CFS. These are considered the world’s first commercial fusion-power deals. While they offer optimism for fusion as a clean, abundant energy source, they also recall decades of “breakthrough” announcements that have yet to deliver practical, grid-ready power. The key question remains: how close is fusion to being not only proven, but scalable and commercially viable, and which projects worldwide are shaping its future?
Affordability Through Simplicity: Why regulatory harmonisation and streamlining should be a priority
For too long, Australia’s energy retailers and their customers have faced a patchwork of rules, scripts, and billing requirements that vary from state to state, provider to provider, and scheme to scheme. While the intention behind these regulations is to protect consumers, the reality is that complexity can make it confusing for customers and often undermines the very outcomes the rules aim to achieve — especially for customers experiencing payment difficulties or living in non-traditional energy arrangements. The Australian Energy Council (AEC) has examined a range of regulatory opportunities aimed at improving the customer experience. The AEC and its members recommend a two-step approach: Pursue harmonisation of relevant laws and regulations to reduce inefficiency and inconsistency. Simplification of specific regulatory practices — starting with bill format rules and call scripting requirements — to create a more effortless customer experience. The following explores why this approach is needed, the opportunities it presents, and the potential risks and trade-offs that policymakers and industry leaders need to navigate.
A National Regulatory CER Framework: What it means for retailers and their customers
Australia’s energy system reform continues to be dominated by consumer energy resource (CER) integration. The Draft Prototype National Technical Regulatory Framework for CER proposes a unified national approach to device standards, to device accreditation and to data visibility. For retailers this is both a tightening of compliance obligations and potentially improves commercial opportunity, whilst for their customers it promises the potential for safer, more reliable and more transparent CER products and services. We expand on the core implications, and elaborate on the practical outcomes for customers, for retailers, and other stakeholders.
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.
Australian Energy Council members have access to a range of industry benefits and services.
Latest News
Statement on Victorian Energy Retail Changes
Electricity retailers stand ready to further support customers facing payment difficulties, according to the peak body for retailers, the Australian Energy Council.
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
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Submissions I PDF
ESEM Policy Design Papers
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Submissions I PDF
Climate-related Transition Planning Guidance
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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