National Supergrid

Connecting Australians to a zero-emissions future

January 2023

A nation-building opportunity

Australia's energy grid is a handbrake on dispatching new renewable energy. As trading partners race towards net zero, our fossil fuel-dominated exports leave our economy highly exposed to demand collapse. Fast-tracking investment into our energy grid will build the foundation from which Australia can become a renewable energy powerhouse

Building the foundations

National Supergrid outlines a five-year grid investment program to deliver sovereign energy, secure supply chains, good quality jobs and lowest-cost competitive energy. It requires a unifying vision from the federal government to set the context for private investment in renewable generation, energy storage and cleantech manufacturing. This will allow Australia to capitalise on opportunities, accelerate emissions reductions and secure industries that will deliver our zero-emissions future.

Building the foundations

National Supergrid outlines a five-year grid investment program to deliver sovereign energy, secure supply chains, good quality jobs and lowest-cost competitive energy. It requires a unifying vision from the federal government to set the context for private investment in renewable generation, energy storage and cleantech manufacturing. This will allow Australia to capitalise on opportunities, accelerate emissions reductions and secure industries that will deliver our zero-emissions future.

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A National Supergrid means:

Security

reliable operation

$4,021

potential average household savings per year

$333B

export industry by 2050 - accelerates our capability to manufacture in-demand, zero-emissions products

Cheaper

cost of energy for rural, remote and First Nations communities

Industry leaders support this research

Invest a minimum of $20 billion in grid infrastructure over the next five years

to lay the foundations of a National Supergrid for strong economic growth.

Prioritise grid upgrades that promote rapid decarbonisation in regional industrial ecosystems

to unlock private investment and drive growth of zero-emissions industry.

Adopt a holistic approach to upgrade all grid assets

including transmission, energy storage, distribution, and reliable operation of the electricity system. The National Supergrid takes a holistic view of the grid, beyond ‘poles and wires’, to deliver reliable, robust and low-cost energy where and when it is needed.

Embed social licence and community benefits as core principles

Success is contingent on the inclusion and empowerment of all impacted communities, including First Nations peoples, regional and remote communities.

Accelerate the move towards 85% renewables by 2028 by harnessing the capabilities of the Supergrid

and target close to 100% by 2030. This will drive down emissions and shield businesses and households from volatile fossil fuel prices.

Funding the National Supergrid

Government intervention is needed to bring certainty to the timely delivery of critical grid infrastructure. An intense five-year grid infrastructure structure buildout, coordinated at a national level, is an effective way to relieve market uncertainties and unlock a wave of new private investment in renewable generation and grid firming.

The allocation of Beyond Zero Emissions' recommended $20 billion grid infrastructure investment program to build the National Supergrid foundations over the next five years is outlined in this chart. Funding is distributed across four key areas: transmission, storage, distribution and reliable operation of the electricity system. Funding draws from the existing Rewiring the Nation, National Reconstruction Fund and other Powering Australia programs.

Chart

Funding the National Supergrid

Government intervention is needed to bring certainty to the timely delivery of critical grid infrastructure. An intense five-year grid infrastructure structure buildout, coordinated at a national level, is an effective way to relieve market uncertainties and unlock a wave of new private investment in renewable generation and grid firming.

The allocation of Beyond Zero Emissions' recommended $20 billion grid infrastructure investment program to build the National Supergrid foundations over the next five years is outlined in this chart. Funding is distributed across four key areas: transmission, storage, distribution and reliable operation of the electricity system. Funding draws from the existing Rewiring the Nation, National Reconstruction Fund and other Powering Australia programs.

Chart

Funding the National Supergrid

Government intervention is needed to bring certainty to the timely delivery of critical grid infrastructure. An intense five-year grid infrastructure structure buildout, coordinated at a national level, is an effective way to relieve market uncertainties and unlock a wave of new private investment in renewable generation and grid firming.

The allocation of Beyond Zero Emissions' recommended $20 billion grid infrastructure investment program to build the National Supergrid foundations over the next five years is outlined in this chart. Funding is distributed across four key areas: transmission, storage, distribution and reliable operation of the electricity system. Funding draws from the existing Rewiring the Nation, National Reconstruction Fund and other Powering Australia programs.

Chart

We can build the foundations

The existing energy grid is under pressure. Performance is challenged by congestion and connection delays and by overall under investment in infrastructure. Accelerated coal closures and global events, such as the gas supply impact of the war in Ukraine, are creating disruption and uncertainty around supply. To limit Australia's exposure, we need a rapid deployment of renewable energy supported by robust, future-oriented grid infrastructure.

Our recommendations to build the foundations of the National Supergrid ensure that the benefits and social licence of a strong renewable-based economy will be embraced by businesses and communities nationally within a five year horizon. This can only be achieved through strong government support and adherence to leading practice.

Chart

We can build the foundations

The existing energy grid is under pressure. Performance is challenged by congestion and connection delays and by overall under investment in infrastructure. Accelerated coal closures and global events, such as the gas supply impact of the war in Ukraine, are creating disruption and uncertainty around supply. To limit Australia's exposure, we need a rapid deployment of renewable energy supported by robust, future-oriented grid infrastructure.

Our recommendations to build the foundations of the National Supergrid ensure that the benefits and social licence of a strong renewable-based economy will be embraced by businesses and communities nationally within a five year horizon. This can only be achieved through strong government support and adherence to leading practice.

Chart

We can build the foundations

The existing energy grid is under pressure. Performance is challenged by congestion and connection delays and by overall under investment in infrastructure. Accelerated coal closures and global events, such as the gas supply impact of the war in Ukraine, are creating disruption and uncertainty around supply. To limit Australia's exposure, we need a rapid deployment of renewable energy supported by robust, future-oriented grid infrastructure.

Our recommendations to build the foundations of the National Supergrid ensure that the benefits and social licence of a strong renewable-based economy will be embraced by businesses and communities nationally within a five year horizon. This can only be achieved through strong government support and adherence to leading practice.

Chart

Household savings

A National Supergrid means stronger energy security, long-term economic growth - and savings for households across the country. That's because strengthening Australia’s energy grid supports households to electrify and reduce the cost of energy.

Our analysis shows that an average household can save as much as $4021 per year. This chart shows modelled household energy cost savings comparing an average dwelling and vehicle ownership per dwelling with ducted gas heating, gas hot water and gas cooking to all-electric, EVs and rooftop solar.

Prices on the left reflect historical 2021 prices while prices on the right reflect the impacts to the same bills using the 44% increase in gas and 56% increase in electricity price projections from the recent federal Budget. For simplicity, we averaged the savings across Australia.

Chart

Household savings

A National Supergrid means stronger energy security, long-term economic growth - and savings for households across the country. That's because strengthening Australia’s energy grid supports households to electrify and reduce the cost of energy.

Our analysis shows that an average household can save as much as $4021 per year. This chart shows modelled household energy cost savings comparing an average dwelling and vehicle ownership per dwelling with ducted gas heating, gas hot water and gas cooking to all-electric, EVs and rooftop solar.

Prices on the left reflect historical 2021 prices while prices on the right reflect the impacts to the same bills using the 44% increase in gas and 56% increase in electricity price projections from the recent federal Budget. For simplicity, we averaged the savings across Australia.

Chart

Household savings

A National Supergrid means stronger energy security, long-term economic growth - and savings for households across the country. That's because strengthening Australia’s energy grid supports households to electrify and reduce the cost of energy.

Our analysis shows that an average household can save as much as $4021 per year. This chart shows modelled household energy cost savings comparing an average dwelling and vehicle ownership per dwelling with ducted gas heating, gas hot water and gas cooking to all-electric, EVs and rooftop solar.

Prices on the left reflect historical 2021 prices while prices on the right reflect the impacts to the same bills using the 44% increase in gas and 56% increase in electricity price projections from the recent federal Budget. For simplicity, we averaged the savings across Australia.

Chart

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The opportunity is now

National Supergrid is a nation-building project. This is Australia’s opportunity to pursue and enable the transformation of our economy towards a renewable powerhouse. Critical components of the Supergrid are beginning to evolve.

September 2022 saw a number of significant announcements:

  • Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, driving $62 billion towards clean energy
  • AGL’s accelerated closure of Loy Yang A coal powered generator coupled with $20 billion investment in renewable energy and storage
  • Fortescue’s $9.7 billion commitment to zero emissions by 2030

Governments and businesses are ramping up their commitment to rolling out renewables at speed. This offers a solid base for the coordination of resources needed to fast-track private investment. To capture this once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our energy grid requires a unifying vision from the federal government that is appropriately scaled to coordinate these ambitions.

“We need a transition that creates jobs, delivers affordable, reliable and secure energy and positions Australia for a decarbonised global economy.”

Jennifer Westacott

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Chief Executive of Business Council of Australia

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