Chief scientist joins calls for Australia to dramatically boost energy efficiency

(The Guardian, 20 Jun 2020) Alan Finkel calls saving electricity the ‘best form of generation’ as groups push for efficiency measures to lead economic recovery

Australia’s chief scientist, Alan Finkel, has warned the country is not doing enough to lift energy efficiency, and described measures to save electricity as the “best form of energy generation you could possibly ever hope to have”.

Speaking in his role as chair of a panel advising the Morrison government on a low emissions technology statement, Finkel told an industry seminar that Australia had ongoing issues with energy efficiency and productivity, and noted a national energy productivity plan, agreed by federal and state energy ministers in 2015, did not appear on a list of national climate and energy policies.

“I don’t think we’re anywhere close to having that nailed,” he said on energy efficiency. “There is no lack of appreciation from myself or my colleagues on the taskforce ... that a gigawatt of power not needed because you’ve done an efficiency measure is the best form of energy generation that you could possibly ever hope to have.”

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The Guardian, 20 Jun 2020: Chief scientist joins calls for Australia to dramatically boost energy efficiency