Electrify with renewables to escape the energy crisis

Retiree Frank Formby has installed rooftop solar, battery storage and now owns an electric vehicle. “It costs me around $300 for a full year to run the car and house. Prior to electrifying everything with renewables, I paid $1200 for power plus another $2200 for petrol” said Frank Formby. “We need everyone to be able to transition to cheaper electric households with rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles. It’s ridiculous that so many of us are denied these huge cost savings. Most people can’t afford this until their kids have grown and flown.”

Tasmanian Climate Collective spokesperson Vivianne Vandenberg said that the new federal government should assist families with interest free loans and other incentives to switch to cheaper electric heating, transport and cooking using rooftop solar with batteries. “We need to get these cost savings for young families now.” Ms Vandenberg said. “Australia could use the $11.6 billion subsidies given to the fossil fuel industry every year to support families to reduce their living costs.” 

The Tasmanian Climate Collective strongly supports the Tasmanian Council of Social Service proposals in their recent Budget Priorities Statement that “will create around 4,000 jobs for Tasmanians, retrofit 85,000 Tasmanian homes with energy efficiency upgrades, save households over $45 million every year on energy bills and inject an additional $475 million into the Tasmanian economy.” This important government investment will protect everyone from future energy price shocks like the one Australia is currently experiencing. 

The Tasmanian Climate Collective is calling on the new federal government to work with the Tasmanian government and local communities in supporting households to rapidly switch to affordable, reliable energy. The sooner the better - for us all.