• About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
Home

Engineers Australia calls for national electricity transition plan

by Lauren Cella
March 31, 2017
in Electricity, News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A new Engineers Australia report is calling for a national transition plan for the country’s electricity sector and warns that without one the next generation of electricity will not be cheap, clean or reliable.

The Future of Australian Electricity Generation report says time is running out with a rapidly looming end date for establishing a secure and cheap supply of electricity.

Engineers Australia’s electricity spokesman, Mark Lendich, says Australia has one of the oldest and least efficient power generation fleets in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

‘Around 70 per cent of our thermal generation needs to be replaced in the next decade. We need a properly engineered system to take over. This will not be cheap or straightforward but it is an unavoidable reality.’

Mark Lendich says people’s livelihoods are at stake.

‘Workers at power stations that are closing will need to be retrained and new skills developed to allow a shift to lower emissions options and the new jobs that will be created because of this.’

The report acknowledges that modernising the grid will take 15-20 years, the technology mix as it evolves,will vary over time, and wind, solar and improvements to energy efficiency will all play a significant role.

The report also recommends the transition plan include:

  • The determination the government achieves its emissions reduction target for 2030
  • Outline how it will achieve this recognising coal plants are rapidly approaching their use by date and amongst the oldest in the OECD
  • Establish a consistent policy framework and rules to encourage the take up of renewable and other low or zero emissions technologies that are compatible and build on the current grid and off grid options.
  • Have a regular review structure in place that takes into account changing economics and policies

The report says electricity supply is essential to modern life but also one of the biggest contributors to global warming.

The report acknowledges that there is currently no single energy source that can provide all three but many are likely to be needed as the country transitions to a renewable and modern grid.

Engineers Australia argues that it is also vital that the transition planning body include input from consumers and engineers as well as the environmental, legal and financial sectors.

Related Posts

Image: Suprachai/stock.adobe.com

Taking the guesswork out of remote operations

by Katie Livingston
July 9, 2025

For Australian utilities, delayed visibility isn’t just an operational inconvenience – it carries environmental, financial and reputational risks.  It can...

Image: WIOA 

Join us at WIOA Newcastle 2025

by Katie Livingston
July 9, 2025

The 2025 Water Industry Operations Association (WIOA) New South Wales Conference and exhibition kicks off on 23 July 2025 –...

Image: AGIG

Hydrogen Park Gladstone officially powers up

by Katie Livingston
July 9, 2025

Australia’s first whole-of-city renewable hydrogen project has celebrated more than six months of successful operations, with Hydrogen Park Gladstone now officially...

Read our magazine

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.
Utility is the title of choice for decision makers at all levels of water and energy utilities, as well as other major players like consulting engineers and first-tier contractors. Utility is integrated across print and online, and explores the biggest news and issues across the utility industry. It is Australia’s only dedicated utility magazine, and covers all areas of the utility sector, including water and sewer, gas, electricity, communications and the NBN.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Utility

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Digital magazine
  • Events
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • News
  • Water
  • Electricity
  • Projects
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment
  • Spotlight
  • Civil Construction
  • Renewable Energy

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited