Outer metro communities gain most from electrification

suburban rooftops with solar panels (million)
Image: Shutterstock

An online portal launched by Rewiring Australia reveals outer metropolitan electorates have the most to gain from a switch to renewable powered electrification of our homes and vehicles.

Electrify my electorate is a new online tool allowing voters, candidates and researchers to gauge:

  • How much individual households in their community would benefit from going electric;
  • The aggregate economic benefit from weaning their community off foreign oil and gas;
  • How many jobs would be generated by rewiring homes for a solar powered, electrified future.

Electrification is the process of fitting every home with solar panels and a battery and then swapping out fossil fuel devices like gas cooktops, gas hot water, gas heating and combustion engine vehicles with electrified versions such as induction stoves, electric space heating and electric vehicles.

Related article: Budget a ‘missed opportunity’ to electrify and decarbonise

Modelling by Rewiring Australia last year found mass electrification of Australian homes and vehicles would reduce domestic carbon emissions by more than one-third and could be achieved through an eight year, $12 billion investment that would lead to overall national savings of more than $40 billion.

Electrify my electorate finds the following seats stand to gain the most from electrification:

StateLocationOccupied private dwellings (estimate 2022)Cars per home2030 electrification savings per homeTotal savings from electrification (2030) per yearInstallation money into community (per year, 2030)Total money in community (savings plus install spending)Total jobs (direct and indirect) created from savings and installation spending
VICMcEwen56,6212.1$5,570$315,000,000$18,300,000$334,000,0001,930
VICCasey61,4672.1$5,460$336,000,000$20,600,000$356,000,0002,060
QLDWright61,8572.1$5,460$338,000,000$16,300,000$354,000,0002,050
ACTBean70,1991.9$5,340$375,000,000$22,600,000$398,000,0002,300
VICHolt60,1342.0$5,340$321,000,000$19,100,000$341,000,0001,970
VICLa Trobe58,1822.0$5,340$311,000,000$19,300,000$330,000,0001,910
NSWHume56,5132.1$5,260$297,000,000$17,400,000$314,000,0001,820
VICAston63,0392.0$5,220$329,000,000$20,300,000$350,000,0002,020
VICMenzies59,9381.9$5,200$311,000,000$19,700,000$331,000,0001,910
QLDDickson56,8972.0$5,180$295,000,000$14,800,000$310,000,0001,790

Rewiring Australia chief scientist and founder Dr Saul Griffith said electrification could be an economic bonanza for Australian families.

“The shift to clean, cheap energy is an extraordinary economic opportunity for Australian families,” Dr Griffith said.

“It just requires the same sort of commitment and investment that drove the Australian rooftop solar miracle, now enjoyed by more than three million Australian households.

Related article: New ‘solar soak’ trial to see if EVs can stabilise grid

“If we fully exploit our natural advantage with solar energy by electrifying everything we will create thousands of jobs for tradies and ensure more money is spent in local shops. The air will be cleaner and people will be healthier.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars are being drained from local economies right now, because we are dependent on imported oil. If we electrify and decarbonise we keep that money in the local community and make the world cleaner and safer.

“Electrifying our homes and vehicles is the fastest and cheapest path to decarbonising our domestic economy. Over a 10-year period we could electrify the nation for roughly the same amount we currently spend subsidising fossil fuels in a single year.

“Electrification attacks the three huge national problems—climate heating, cost of living and national security. We invite all candidates to embrace the initiative.”

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