Half-way to 2050 and Australian emissions laws still leave retail Renewable Fuel use off the table
3 July 2025
As of today, Thursday 3 July 2025, we are now closer to 2050 than we are to the year 2000. Yet only around 12% of Australia's total final energy consumed is renewable. Gas Energy Australia (GEA) attributes Australia's low emissions reduction performance to a legislative framework which does not account for consumer use of renewable fuels.
GEA calls for emissions law reform to ensure all energy customers have the right to choose how they decarbonise, including through the purchase renewable fuels such as BioLPG, Renewable Diesel, or Biomethane. These fuels are recognised in emissions legislation – use by retail customers is not.
"Australia's emission laws have no way to recognize retail energy customers who choose to transition to renewable fuels like BioLPG," says GEA Chief Executive Officer, Jordan McCollum.
"To achieve net-zero in time, we need legislation that puts all options on the table for all consumers." "Limiting retail energy customers to electrification alone puts all of our energy eggs in one basket. This ignores the reality that electricity can be unreliable or unavailable in regional Australia."
While electrification may reduce bills in the cities, the upfront cost of converting to all-electric can far exceed the savings for some. This is exacerbated in the regions where homes and businesses may need to pay for electricity firming to maintain the same level of energy security provided by LPG.
Compared to a 10kWh home battery installation, a typical two-bottle residential LPG installation can store around 1.25MWh of energy and is being supplied by LPG retailers for around $100 per year.
"LPG provides more than energy in the bush – it delivers energy access and energy security beyond the reach of the electricity grid," says Jordan, "that's why enabling BioLPG is so important."
"Around 30 per cent of regional Australian homes use LPG, as do a range of small businesses. Failing to provide real, accessible renewable options for regional Australia puts the entire energy transition at risk."
The business case for investment in renewable fuel production rests on the ability for customers to have renewable fuel use recognised in emissions accounting – otherwise, it's just expensive fuel.
"Australians aren't silly; they know that electrification won't work for everyone. Let's get the right legislation in place to provide consumers with more options – including renewable fuels like BioLPG."
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