This report presents social research findings from communities that will host Australia’s new electricity infrastructure as a result of the Renewable Energy Zones policy.

The Australia Institute has commissioned a technical study on inertia and system strength from the Victorian Energy Policy Centre, to provide evidence for input into the Energy Security Board (ESB) process. This companion paper summarises the key findings of the technical study, as well as provides context and wider recommendations on energy reform.

The Commonwealth Government has made technology central to reducing emissions to 2030, but the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has only $200 million to allocate to new projects. With multi-party support for the Agency, this paper argues that legislation to extend its funding should be urgently passed.

The ACT will soon become the first Australian jurisdiction to achieve a transition from a fossil fuel-based supply to 100% renewable electricity. Just seven other jurisdictions have achieved this, in Germany, Austria and Spain.

This paper outlines how the world’s major electricity markets are opening up to demand response competition, which will benefit consumers with lower prices and help maintain reliability.