Budget Backs Green Metals, Misses Household Energy Solutions

Funding Green Metals, Ignoring Households

The recent federal budget allocated $3 billion to boost green aluminium and iron projects — a step toward Australia’s net-zero goals. However, households hoping for support to maximize their rooftop solar power are left disappointed. No subsidies or low-interest loans for batteries or energy-efficient upgrades were offered.

Temporary Relief, Not Long-Term Solutions

While the government extended power rebates of $75 per quarter for eligible households until December 2025, energy experts argue this is a temporary fix. Clean energy advocates like Tim Buckley and Sawsan Alfayadh emphasize the need for long-term investments in distributed energy resources (DER) to lower bills permanently and stabilize the grid.

A Missed Opportunity for Solar Households

With over 4 million Australians having rooftop solar, only about 180,000 households benefit from battery storage to double their savings. Investing in home batteries and smart meters could empower low-income households to benefit from negative midday power prices and reduce their dependency on the grid.

Future Growth in Green Metals

While household energy solutions were sidelined, the budget confirmed significant funding for green metals:

• $2 billion for aluminium smelters transitioning to clean energy.

• $1 billion for low-emissions iron projects, including Whyalla Steelworks.

• An additional $2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, expected to unlock $6 billion in private investment.

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