Media Release: Accelerate commercial building electrification: EEC
New research finds that replacing gas with efficient electric technology offers a major opportunity to decarbonise Australia’s commercial buildings.
The Commercial Buildings Electrification Roadmap stage one research report was delivered by Energy Efficiency Council in partnership with the Property Council of Australia.
The report reviews existing evidence on gas use in commercial buildings and the drivers and barriers to electrification. It finds that replacing existing gas in commercial buildings with efficient, electric alternatives provides a pathway to reducing the 6 megatonnes of carbon emissions produced yearly by gas consumption in the sector.
Gas is used in commercial buildings for functions including heating, hot water, cooking, or features such as swimming pools and commercial laundries.
“To reduce gas use in the commercial building sector to zero by 2050 we would need to triple the current rate of electrification,” said Jeremy Sung, Head of Policy, EEC.
“Electric appliances support our transition to a renewables-dominated grid; gas appliances don’t. Electric equipment like heat pumps is highly efficient and can reduce energy use and bring down costs.”
“Market demand is starting to drive a shift towards efficient, all-electric commercial buildings. We can accelerate that growth with a clear policy focus to address the barriers to electrification that still exist for many buildings, particularly outside of the premium end of the market.”
“Existing efficient technologies are ready to roll out now, and if we get this right it stands to be a massive opportunity for building owners, commercial tenants, and the energy management sector,” said Sung.
The report recommends an end to gas connections in new commercial buildings and apartment buildings. It also recommends a range of measures to speed up the electrification of existing commercial buildings, including targets, demonstration projects, expanded energy ratings disclosure, and industry development.
The project received support from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and funding from the governments of Victoria and New South Wales. Experts from over 30 companies and industry organisations provided input to the research.
“As the built environment is a significant contributor to Australia’s carbon emissions, we need to work collaboratively on reducing emissions in this sector,” said Michael Di Russo, Head of Property, CEFC.
“The CEFC therefore welcomes the Energy Efficiency Council’s electrification roadmap report, and we’re pleased to have contributed to it. This first stage provides a promising framework for action, and we look forward to working with stakeholders on the next steps.”
The report is the first stage of the Commercial Buildings Electrification Roadmap project. Further stages of the project will work to build industry capacity and develop a comprehensive policy roadmap.
The full Commercial Buildings Electrification Roadmap stage one research report is available here.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Rob McLeod, EEC
Mobile: 0402 318842
Email: rob.mcleod@eec.org.au
About Energy Efficiency Council
The EEC is a membership association for organisations working to harness the power of efficiency, electrification and energy flexibility to deliver a prosperous, net-zero future.
Our mission is to catalyse action from government and industry that delivers:
- Efficient, electric homes;
- Productive, net-zero businesses; and
- An optimised energy system powered by renewable energy.
We work with our members, governments and other experts to accelerate the deployment of efficient, electric and flexible products and services.
We deliver practical change by building the evidence base, making the case, informing policy, supporting skill and literacy, and shaping market outcomes.
Learn more at eec.org.au.
