New modelling from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis shows we’ve been looking for solutions to rising electricity prices in the wrong places. The real key to slashing household energy bills isn’t more power plants or political debate over gas vs renewables. And it’s not one-off bill rebates either. It’s targeted energy upgrades in our homes. Efficient electric appliances, rooftop solar, home batteries, and thermal upgrades could slash bills by 80 to 90%, with the biggest savings in cities like Sydney. These upgrades not only reduce household energy use and bills but also cut demand on the broader grid, benefiting everyone by lowering peak demand and gas reliance. But what will it take to make these savings a reality? Jay Gordon is an Energy Finance Analyst at IEEFA and author of the new report.

We’ve been trying to fix rising electricity prices the wrong way

CSIRO Chief Research Scientist Pep Canadell on why Australia and the world need to aim high, not low, on its 2035 climate targets. Plus: It's getting weird in Queensland.

Time to go "full sail" on decarbonisation

Earlier this month, two competing visions for the future of farming emerged on opposite sides of the country. At Gina Rinehart’s Bush Summit in Broome, renewables were cast as a threat to rural communities, while in Canberra, the inaugural Farming Forever Summit highlighted how clean energy is sustaining farm livelihoods. Fourth-generation farmer Charlie Prell knows the difference firsthand. After years of drought and falling commodity prices pushed his Crookwell property to the edge, wind turbines helped secure his farm’s future and supported his retirement. Charlie shares his story of resilience and why he sees renewables as part of farming’s survival, not its downfall. But he’s blunt about some of the renewable industry’s missteps and how rushed contracts and divisive tactics by some developers left scars that still fuel distrust and give ammunition to anti-renewables campaigns. The challenge now is to rebuild trust, ensure farmers have genuine agency, and prove that clean energy can strengthen rural communities rather than undermine them.

The renewables lifeline for farmers

CCA’s Matt Kean on why target had to be lowered. Plus: Offshore wind pioneer Andy Evans on Victoria’s delayed auction, and a very big battery tender.

Is Australia’s emissions target good enough?

Energy retailers are making bold claims about savings, but are they misleading, or even breaking the law? Australia’s leading consumer advocate, CHOICE, thinks so. They’ve launched their first-ever super complaint under a new framework that lets them bring serious, systemic issues directly to the ACCC. Their focus are retailers marketing so-called ‘saver’ or ‘value’ plans that actually cost more than standard offers. The ACCC has agreed to investigate whether these tactics breach consumer law. Other questionable practices, like offering the same name plan at different prices, or promoting ‘better offers’ that aren’t actually better, have been referred to upcoming regulatory reviews. Jordan Cornelius, Senior Campaigns & Policy Adviser at CHOICE, breaks down the complaint, and what’s at stake for consumers.

CHOICE vs the energy ‘saver’ plans that actually cost you more

Anna Skarbek from Climateworks Centre on Australia's emissions mission, and the new China targets, while AGL's Jane Butler talks vehicle to grid. Plus: Wind and battery deals.

Australia, China and a big week for V2G

Australia’s gas network rules are outdated — and consumers are paying the price. Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) warns that without reform, vulnerable households could be trapped in a ‘gas death spiral,’ facing ever-rising bills as others switch to electric. To fix this, the ECA wants new gas users to cover the full cost of new connections, stopping the $11 billion gas asset base from ballooning further. They’re also pushing to limit accelerated depreciation of gas infrastructure that shifts financial risks from network investors onto consumers, and to require gas networks to be more transparent and plan properly, as electricity networks already must. Finally, they want fairer, cheaper disconnection options so households can leave gas without punishing fees. Brian Spak, General Manager of Advocacy and Policy at ECA, explains how these changes could protect consumers, reduce stranded asset risks, and make the transition to clean, all-electric living more affordable.

How to escape the gas death spiral

Federal energy and climate minister Chris Bowen on his trip to New York, renewable and emissions targets, and coal closures. Plus: News of the week.

Chris Bowen on coal, renewables, EVs and UN

The federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program is being hailed as a clean energy win, cutting installation costs and driving more than a thousand new batteries into homes every day. But Reposit Power co-founder and CEO Dean Spaccavento calls it “a colossal wasted opportunity.” He says while the scheme is “excellent in its scope,” weak regulation, vague technical standards, and poor oversight mean only a tiny fraction of those batteries will ever help stabilise the grid. After more than a decade pushing to make household energy “punch at weight” with big utilities, Spaccavento argues Australia risks missing a critical moment to build a truly distributed, consumer-powered energy system.

Is the cheaper home batteries scheme ‘a colossal wasted opportunity’?

Powerlink CEO Paul Simshauser on managing the closure of Queensland's biggest coal generator, the role of transmission as prices double, and batteries vs syncons.

Managing the backbone of the grid

Join Anne Delaney as she tracks the electrification of everything with people at the forefront of the electrification transition.

We’ve been trying to fix rising electricity prices the wrong way

SwitchedOn Australia

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