Thursday 9 June: Energy Policy Forum

Attend Live or Virtual Event

Elizabeth Molyneux

GM Policy and Markets Regulation

AGL Energy
Frank Jotzo

Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy; Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions

Australian National University (ANU)
Gavin Dufty

Manager Policy and Research

St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria
Jamie Lowe

Head of Regulation, Compliance and Sustainability

ENGIE
Lynne Gallagher

Chief Executive Officer

Energy Consumers Australia
Kerry Schott

Chair

NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board

09:00

Registration and welcome coffee

09:10

Opening remarks from the Chair

Jill Cainey
Consultant
Erne Energy

BUILDING A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE TRANSITION: BIG PICTURE ENERGY SYSTEM

09:20

Answering ‘the gas question’ – and the long-term consequences of electrifying everything?

Depreciating gas assets fairly as electrification increases, without destabilising energy supply
Re-thinking efficient network investment to tackle stranded asset risks for gas network businesses (adjusting depreciation, revaluing assets, sharing costs, other options)
Addressing pricing risks for consumers, intergenerational equity and getting buy-in from gas using households for change

Clare Savage
Chair
Australian Energy Regulator (AER)

09:50

Identifying the key policy choices (or lack thereof) that will have a long-term impact on Australia’s energy market

Can the current regulatory framework be ‘ungummed’ to enough to cope with a vastly different energy system?
Adapting existing governance arrangements so they contribute, rather than act as barriers, to a successful low-emissions energy market
Addressing the need for greater investment in transmission networks and sharing the costs equitably
Ensuring investment is in the economic interests of consumers

Tony Wood
Energy Program Director
Grattan Institute

SEQUENCING THE TRANSITION SO AUSTRALIA CONTINUES TO ENJOY RELIABLE ENERGY

10:20

Pathways towards long-term emissions goals: fossil fuel phase-down in Australia’s electricity supply

How to achieve ‘orderly transition’ - roadmap to phasing out coal and phasing down gas
Sequencing coal plant retirement for a balance between energy security and emissions
Options for policy instruments and stakeholder involvement

Frank Jotzo
Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy; Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions
Australian National University (ANU)

10:50

Morning tea

11:20

Pursuing NEM post-2025 design and state emissions policies to achieve progress in emissions reduction

Accommodating different states’ approaches to energy reform within the NEM for affordability, reliability and security
Matching NSW energy policies to NEM-wide design reforms
Coordinating the NEM post 2025 design with broader economy wide emissions reduction policies

Kerry Schott AO
Chair
NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board

11:50

PANEL DISCUSSION: What policy is needed to ensure affordability, reliability and security in the future energy system?

Recent history has raised questions about whether the market reform process is fundamentally equipped to deal with the challenges of the magnitude now faced.

Are market reform initiatives properly focussed?
How does the market account for renewables and battery storage without destabilising non-intermittent generators?
What is the government’s role in underwriting new projects whilst policy is in flux?
Is a contract market the best way of ensuring security and avoiding outages?

Moderator:

Phil Blythe
Founding Director
Climate Tech Assembly

Panellists:

Elizabeth Molyneux
GM Policy and Markets Regulation
AGL Energy

Sarah McNamara
Chief Executive
Australian Energy Council

David Leitch
Principal
ITK Services Australia

Christiaan Zuur
Director Energy Transformation
Clean Energy Council

12:40

Lunch

WHO PAYS FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION?

13:20

Keeping consumers at the heart of a just energy transition as we work towards a modern, flexible and resilient future system

Bringing ALL customers on the transition journey
Ensuring energy is not something that happens to consumers; but with consumers
Understanding both the ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ models of our energy transition equally

Lynne Gallagher
Chief Executive Officer
Energy Consumers Australia

13:50

PANEL DISCUSSION: Protecting users from increased infrastructure costs as the states ‘go it alone’

How do we ensure ‘the social good’ is pursued over individual interests?
Will subsidies be required to avoid price shock and maintain stability?
What ‘gold plating’ can be avoided and how?
Can better coordination, technology or reform improve the productivity of infrastructure rollout?
Will electrification and hydrogen help moderate infrastructure costs, or accelerate them?

Moderator:

Elizabeth Molyneux
GM Policy and Markets Regulation
AGL Energy

Panellists:

Gavin Dufty
Manager Policy and Research
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria