Federal Labor is being pushed to deliver on a budget promise for a "meaningful and substantial package" of grants and cheap loans for electrification, as power bills soar.
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Saul Griffith, co-founder of community organisation Rewiring Australia, has submitted a $12.5 billion plan to Treasurer Jim Chalmers to help decarbonise homes and businesses.
Replacing gas-fired stoves, heaters, water and combustion-engine cars with electric technology powered by solar and batteries is at the heart of the pre-budget submission seen by AAP.
Dr Griffith and the group's co-founder Dan Cass are calling on the federal government to spend $500 million over five years, plus $2 billion off-budget from existing green bank funds, to support widespread uptake of electrification.
They want the government to boost funding for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation by $10 billion to $40 billion before the next federal election.
Australians have already taken up rooftop solar in greater numbers than anywhere in the world, Dr Griffith noted.
"Now they want the government to help them fully electrify their homes because they know it will permanently obliterate both their energy bills and carbon emissions."
Freeing people, particularly low-income and social housing communities, from hefty fossil fuel power bills would deliver economic benefits, Dr Griffith said.
The government is also being urged to consult with unions and industry bodies on subsidy design and timing to avoid up-ending the installers and companies who will do the work.
"We are hopeful that our submission gives the government a clear policy road map," Mr Cass said.
"With planning and investment, electrification is an enormous opportunity for Australia."
In December, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said a deal had been struck with the Greens to assist households and businesses electrify.
"We agreed it would be a meaningful and substantial package," he said at the time, declining to reveal a price tag.
REWIRING AUSTRALIA RECOMMENDS:
* At least $2 billion of existing green bank funds redirected as concessional finance to fast-track electrification.
* Two-thirds of the $2 billion directed to at least partly electrify 500,000 households, with the remainder targeted to businesses.
* Some $200 million for whole suburb solar electric pilot projects as a living laboratory for the world's energy system.
* Develop world-leading new technologies, businesses, home systems and regulations for the electrified cities and shires of the future.
* Some $200 million in grants for low-income households for efficient electric devices, solar and storage, e-bikes or electric cars.
* Some $95 million for new charging infrastructure to turn electric vehicle batteries into virtual power plants and support the grid.
* A new Office of Electrification within the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
* An Integrated Electrification Plan for government energy and climate ministers for demand-side energy and network planning.
* Research for a market design where households sell excess electricity with the same ease as large energy providers.
* Some $14 million for public education to support informed decisions and encourage the take up of subsidies and federal loans.
Australian Associated Press
