AEC welcomes the appointment of the Hon Chris Bowen MP

The peak body for energy retailers and generators, the Australian Energy Council, welcomes the appointment of the Hon Chris Bowen MP to the role of Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

The AEC’s Chief Executive, Sarah McNamara, said, “Minister Bowen comes to the climate change and energy portfolio at a critical time.

“His broad ministerial experience and involvement in a range of policy reforms will be invaluable in what is one of the most important portfolio areas.

“The energy sector has been front and centre in reducing Australia’s carbon emissions through the transformation underway in our grid.  The next step is to support other sectors of the economy to begin their decarbonisation journey.  Electrification offers the best opportunity to achieve greater emissions reductions across the economy.

“There will continue to be challenges ahead for the sector in the coming years as we introduce new generation sources into the energy mix and decide where transmission should be built to support them in the most economically efficient and technically sound manner.  But there are also great opportunities for Australian communities if we get the energy transition right.

“The AEC wholeheartedly supports the Federal Government’s commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2050 and has also endorsed an interim target of a 55 per cent reduction by 2035.

“On behalf of our members, I would like to wish the Minister every success in his new role. We look forward to working with him and the Federal Government on making the energy transition a successful one which supports customers and keeps our economy strong.”

The AEC also expressed its thanks to the former Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, the Hon Angus Taylor MP.

“We would also like to acknowledge the work done by Mr Taylor over the past four years,” said Ms McNamara. “He held the portfolio at a time of unprecedented change and challenge and we appreciated the strong intellectual approach he brought to role.

“On behalf of the industry, I would like to thank Mr Taylor and wish him well.”

About the Australian Energy Council

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.