Australia's clean energy transition is likely to accelerate to a point where most homes will have solar panels paired with batteries by 2030, a new report containing the views of 30 energy industry and government leaders says.
KPMG's "30 Voices on 2030: The Future of Energy" report also predicts Australia could have the highest penetration of renewable energy per-capita of anywhere in the world.
"Australia's energy and natural resources sectors have evolved and reduced emissions much faster than we expected a decade ago," Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor said in the report.
It comes a day after the State Government upgraded its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets from 35 per cent to 50 per cent emissions reduction by 2030.
Business Hunter has called on the state government to continue working with businesses to ensure the transition is smooth and well executed.
"Business Hunter is engaging and anxious to work with Minister Kean's office to ensure the region has a clear understanding of what and how the government seeks to achieve this newly stated ambition and we'll be working through the Implementation Update accordingly," Business Hunter chief executive Bob Hawes said.
"In the Hunter region, we need to ensure in supporting the emissions target we take advantage of the energy transition already occurring and make sure the outcome is balanced in securing jobs and keeping the lights on.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the major concerns for business owners, as reported in Business NSW's regular Business Conditions Survey, were the rising costs of energy combined with the reliability of supply.
"Businesses across the Hunter are very interested in supporting energy transition, so we need to work even more closely with government and the business community to ensure that the necessary transitions in skills, supply chains, infrastructure and investment to meet this new policy target are supported and enabled," Mr Hawes said.
"As the nation's strongest regional economy, the Hunter is in a good position to show other regions and states how to contribute to achieving a robust Australia-wide solution as the best way to ensuring the most efficient and effective action to tackle climate change," said Mr Hawes.
