Industry & Large Gas Users
Why it’s important
Industry and large gas users, like shopping centres, accommodation providers, and large venues, make up a significant portion of the ACT’s gas use. Directly engaging with these sectors is an important part of our transition plan.
The ACT Government is also a large gas user. We are actively working to reduce our gas consumption. This includesdesigning new buildings to be all-electric, such as the Canberra Hospital Expansion and developing plans to retrofit our existing buildings.
What it means for you
The ACT Government understands the transition away from gas represents a complex logistical challenge for industry and large gas users. This could be in the form of:
- Increased gas costs as households leave the current network
- The cost of space heating large areas with gas heating
- The cost of replacing large-scale gas appliance with electric alternatives
- The lack of availability of viable electric alternatives for some industries.
However, this transition also represents an exciting opportunity to invest in efficient alternatives and find renewable energy generation opportunities for industry. The ACT Government will look to engage directly with industry and large gas users to identify these opportunities and work closely with them to provide economic certainty across the region.
Have your say
The pathway to electrification is significant change for our community and there will be many opportunities for Canberrans to have their say.
We invited community feedback on a regulation to prevent new gas network connections in the ACT, which is planned to commence at the end of 2023. You can find out more about the community consultation and read the Issues Paper by visiting YourSay Conversations.
ACT Government will also be asking the community for their feedback on broader transition issues in mid-2023. Feedback will support the development of an Integrated Energy Plan, which will guide set out the big picture for how the ACT will transition away from fossil fuel gas use and support our community along the way.
Keep updated about future consultations by following the conversation on YourSay Conversations.
To register your interest in participating in forums or workshops on other gas transition community consultation projects, please contact gastransition@act.gov.au.
FAQ’s
Renewable gases aren’t presently feasible to replace fossil fuel gas in the mains gas network. We are looking at the potential use of renewable gases for specific purposes where needed.
Green Building Council Australia has created A practical guide to electrification for existing buildings [PDF 8.5MB]. Developed with funding from the CEFC and NSW Government, this free resource provides a step-by-step guide on how to retrofit an existing building to be all-electric to ensure it doesn’t become a stranded asset.
Working with our community
We recognise that the decision to transition the Territory to be powered by 100% renewable electricity is significant. We’ve prepared information to support our households, businesses and industry across the ACT. We’ll update this content regularly as we move further along our transition pathway.
