Industry support for PM Task Group report on energy efficiency

Siemens Australia has indicated its support behind the findings of the Prime Minister’s Task Group on Energy Efficiency report released recently, which proposes incentives for businesses to make energy-efficiency savings and lift economic productivity.

Siemens CEO Albert Goller said the report directly underpins Siemens’ ‘Picture the Future: Energy blueprint’, developed to set a direction for energy in Australia through to 2030, identifying energy-efficiency and smart grid technologies as key findings.

“We congratulate the Prime Minister’s Task Group for their comprehensive set of recommendations and we see this as a direct response to our blueprint that calls for greater innovation in the energy-efficiency sector and advancement in smart grid technologies,” said Goller.

The proposed energy-efficiency reforms in the report represent significant incentives for businesses undertaking energy-efficiency projects and will provide a much needed boost to the energy-efficiency sector in Australia.

“Most businesses recognise that energy efficiency makes good business sense. For most businesses though, core business expenditure has taken priority over expenditure needed to improve energy-efficiency upgrades,” added Goller. “Further incentives will encourage businesses to place energy efficiency high on the agenda, which will ultimately mean businesses will increase their profitability, thereby making Australia a stronger player in the global market.

“Early adopters of energy-efficiency reform will be greatly advantaged if energy prices rise or if a carbon economy comes into effect."

The report also indicates that improved energy efficiency of the economy will effectively offset any increase in costs brought about by the introduction of a carbon price.

Commenting on this potential offset, Goller remarked: "Siemens sees the benefits of introducing a carbon price in Australia. The report demonstrates that energy-efficiency improvements may assist in cancelling out the cost of a carbon price. This is a positive sign for Australia and could give us a competitive advantage against the rest of the world.”