The announcement by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) of a nationwide ‘emergency backstop’ for new solar systems by Spring 2025 presents a series of challenges, but also opportunities.
The Smart Energy Council has long been working with industry and regulators on the issue throughout numerous state governments around the country, and brings forward the urgent need to implement a best practice plan.
“Australia is deep into its energy transition, thanks largely to the over 4 million households and businesses that have installed solar systems,” Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes said.
“We have been calling for a Battery Booster program to help the one in three Australian solar homes store that cheap, clean energy, to ease burdens on the grid and household power bills.”
“AEMO’s plan to introduce an emergency backstop across the National Electricity Market (NEM) means a Battery Booster program is now mission critical for policy makers.”
The Smart Energy Council is well aware of the many issues that have arisen from the emergency backstop process in Victoria and South Australia, and we have been advocating for a consistent national approach that doesn’t place the burden on equipment manufacturers (OEMs), installers and the rest of the industry.
“We want to ensure that beyond just an emergency backstop, that a flexible exports model is adopted, allowing the grid to get as much solar as it needs most of the time, while only curtailing when absolutely necessary,” Mr Grimes said.
State and Federal Government consultation with industry on the best path forward is critical to securing a positive outcome for energy reliability, millions of solar homes and businesses, and the reduction of climate pollution.
“This is a golden opportunity to ensure Australia has unified standards, ensuring that all markets are on the same page operating to best practice benchmarks that reward, rather than punish, those operating in the solar sector,” Mr Grimes said.
For interviews contact: Tim Lamacraft – tim.lamacraft@smartenergy.org.au – 0448 972 192
Link to AEMO’s Managing Minimum System Load (MSL) report here.
