The RETA’s aims include supporting work to electrify homes and businesses. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The Federal and ACT Territory governments have signed an agreement designed to secure the ACT’s renewable energy base and further support Australia’s renewable energy transformation.
The Renewable Energy Transformation Agreement (RETA) aims to support work to electrify homes and businesses, with the Commonwealth committing to explore opportunities to collaborate with the ACT Government in priority areas.
These priorities include acceleration of vehicle-to-grid capabilities where EVs become mobile power banks, the electrification of complex buildings, energy performance improvements including electrification of private lower-income households and public and community housing, and supporting energy innovation.
Lessons learned through these programs will be shared and used to inform future projects across Australia.
The ACT agreement is the third to be signed, coming two months after similar agreements between the Commonwealth and the governments of South Australia and Western Australia.
Through those agreements, the Commonwealth will support developers in Western Australia to build a minimum of 6.5 TWh of new wind and solar projects and 1.1 GW of new storage capacity, which will bolster the stability of the electricity grid. In South Australia, they will support the development of 1000 MW of new wind and solar projects, which is sufficient to power all of the homes in Adelaide, and 400 MW of new storage capacity.
The South Australian Government has also committed to deliver the Hydrogen Jobs Plan by early 2026 through the building of a renewable hydrogen power plant, a hydrogen electrolyser and a storage facility.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the agreement with the ACT would support not just the Territory’s clean energy and net-zero future, but Australia’s.
“The innovation and expertise that will drive the electrification of homes, businesses and vehicles across the Territory will also help us provide reliable renewable energy across Australia,” he said.
“The Albanese Government’s Reliable Renewables Plan is the only plan backed by experts to deliver the cheap, reliable and resilient energy system that families and businesses deserve. This is in sharp contrast to Peter Dutton’s anti-renewables nuclear fantasy, which remains uncosted and unexplained.”
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Canberra was the first city outside of Europe to be powered 100 per cent by renewable electricity, and the entire ACT would achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
“Our progressive and practical policies have seen Canberra maintain the lowest regulated electricity prices in the National Electricity Market while also creating more jobs in renewables here in the ACT,” he said.
“This agreement will support the ACT’s nation-leading clean energy transformation and provide new paths towards a nation powered by reliable renewables.”
ACT Greens leader and energy spokesperson Shane Rattenbury said the ACT had long been a leader in climate action.
“We have committed to phasing out fossil gas by 2045 and are progressing well on our journey to electrify our city, improve energy efficiency and deliver a just transition,” he said.
“This new agreement will ensure we continue to lead as we accelerate the electrification process and boost efficiency, including in apartment complexes and in public housing, and as we trial new technologies to support an efficient, all-electric city.”
