SwitchedOn Australia Plug in and fight back - Saul Griffith wants a consumer army to fight for energy justice
Aug 27, 2025
Saul Griffith, an engineer and author of 'Plug In', discusses the vital role of households in Australia’s clean energy transition. He argues for electrification as a means to cut emissions and save money. Griffith shares insights from his work with Rewiring America and Australia's energy challenges. He advocates for a consumer army to fight for energy justice, tackling skepticism around the energy industry and the need for innovative solutions. The conversation touches on the future of battery technology and the importance of local solar manufacturing.
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Use Phased Subsidies To Scale Clean Tech
- Use time-phased, declining subsidies (like solar's past scheme) to bring down battery costs and scale installation capacity.
- Extend similar support to heat pumps, electric water heaters, kitchens and EV chargers to broaden electrification.
Electrify Loans Rolled Into Property
- Solve upfront-cost barriers by offering long-term low-rate loans rolled into property, repayable on sale, to let households electrify affordably.
- Use government borrowing and super funds to spread costs across the national property base and save trillions in energy bills.
Split Incentives Need Regulatory Fixes
- Fix split incentives for renters and strata by designing rules that share benefits between landlords and tenants.
- Offer tax or regulatory incentives to ensure both parties gain from rooftop solar, batteries and chargers.
