A discussion paper examining the challenges that lie ahead in the delivery phase of the energy transition based on a survey of 16 Australian energy sector Chief Executive Officers. It identifies issues of greatest concern and puts a spotlight on possible policy solutions. 

The paper determines the most important finding is that surveyed CEOs understand that energy affordability is paramount to customers and, in turn, the energy transition cannot succeed without public confidence that it will deliver a sustainable and reliable system that provides affordable energy for consumers. They believe the customer lens should be the guiding principle of managing the energy transition. 

The paper includes recommendations to address affordability and includes some guiding principles on how governments and industry can work together to successfully deliver a reliable, low emissions and affordable energy system.

Key recommendations and guiding principles

• Government and industry need to work together to develop and implement energy policies that ensure energy remains affordable for our most vulnerable customers.
• Government and industry need to collaborate to unlock the full value of consumer energy resources (CER) while policies and initiatives should assist those customers that can’t access CER to better manage energy consumption and energy bills.
• Boosting investor confidence through policy certainty and stability.
• Approaching the energy transition through a stronger affordability lens, ensuring policies take account of business and household costs and other trade-offs.
• Ensuring government assistance on household electricity bills is targeted on the vulnerable.
• Ensuring network spending is timely and efficient.
• Reducing the time it takes for environmental approvals for new projects.