AusNet committed to reducing emissions

Australian energy group AusNet has committed to an interim Scope 1 and 2 CO_2-e emissions reduction target of 50% by 2030 and a goal of net zero by 2045 in its inaugural Climate Change Position Statement.

AusNet’s Position Statement is supported by a more detailed Task Force on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report that outlines the organisation’s actions to manage climate related risks and opportunities and to reduce emissions.

Tony Narvaez, AusNet CEO, said the company has an important role to play in enabling decarbonisation of the electricity and gas sectors.

“The energy sector is the largest contributor to Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, so as the operator of Victoria’s primary high-voltage transmission network, as well as an electricity and a gas distribution network, we play a central role in enabling the decarbonisation of our state,” he said.

In 2022, AusNet generated 1.7 million tonnes of Scope 1 and 2 CO_2-e emissions, of which 1.5 million tonnes was due to the energy lost in the transport of electricity through its networks from generators to customers. On the transmission network, approximately 2% of all the electricity transmitted is lost and on the distribution network, 6%. The emissions associated with such losses will reduce as the grid decarbonises.

So far, decarbonising the energy sector has been achievable within existing electricity network infrastructure. But as the network approaches capacity, grid constraints are curtailing existing generation and starting to limit the addition of new renewable electricity generation.

“While we cannot directly influence the carbon intensity of the electricity that we transport, it is imperative that we expand the capacity of our networks and connect new renewable generation as quickly and prudently as possible. This includes building new transmission and distribution infrastructure, enhancing network resilience and integrating consumer energy resources such as electric vehicles and rooftop solar onto our network while maintaining system security,” Narvaez said.

AusNet has connected over 5 GW of large-scale renewable energy and storage and more than 200,000 customers with clean energy transition.

It is developing new network infrastructure, such as the 190 km Western Renewables Link project, a proposed 500 kV high-voltage electricity transmission line from near Bulgana in western Victoria to Sydenham in Melbourne’s north-west. This will contribute to the successful transition from coal by enabling further energy generation from large-scale wind and solar in western Victoria to power up to one million homes, reducing congestion on the existing network.

AusNet is also focusing on emissions it can directly control through initiatives such as refurbishing or replacing equipment that leaks greenhouse gasses, transitioning to renewable energy in its buildings and trialling electric vehicles within its fleet.

It is committed to enhancing the transparency and disclosure of its mitigation strategies and performance on climate change metrics. It will report annually on its emissions reduction targets and other cross-industry metrics as outlined in its TCFD report, updating these in line with any material performance, market, policy, regulatory or other relevant changes.

AusNet’s targets support the Victorian Government’s renewable energy and emissions reduction agenda.

Image credit: iStock.com/Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn