Support Energy Savings Program, Australia Will Offer Free Solar Power For Its Population

JAKARTA - Australia will offer at least three hours of free solar power every day to households, including those without solar panels, in an energy saving program expected to take effect by 2026, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Tuesday.

The Solar Sharer program will begin in the states of New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland, before being expanded to other regions.

Users will get free solar power when the power plant reaches its peak during the day.

"People who can divert the use of electricity to periods at no cost will benefit directly, whether they have solar panels or not, either they own or rent, and the more people who accept this offer and divert its use, the greater the benefit of the system that will lower costs for all electric users", Bowen said.

About four million households in Australia have roof solar panels in their homes, and during sunny days at peak demand, the solar panels can generate so much electricity that the price of electricity can drop below zero.

Meanwhile, the peak demand for electricity often occurs a few hours later, which can cause an overload on the power grid.

Households, including apartment residents, will be able to access this program, even if they do not have their own solar panels.

In 2022, Bowen set a target of 82 percent renewable electricity by 2030, in addition to the target set by law, namely reducing emissions by 43 percent compared to emissions in 2005.

Customers who choose this package must have smart meters and will only benefit if they shift their use of peaks to noon and turn on equipment and charge the vehicle at that time.