EECA (The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) has today welcomed the release of the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Strategic Plan, a long-term roadmap agreed by New Zealand and Australian state and territory governments to strengthen the energy performance of appliances and equipment through to 2035.
Developed collaboratively by Australian, state, territory and New Zealand governments through the E3 Program, the Strategy sets a clear direction for evolving appliance energy performance frameworks to ensure they continue to deliver real benefits for energy users.
EECA Chief Executive Dr Marcos Pelenur said the strategy builds on a strong foundation, while expanding the program’s focus to ensure appliances are fit for a modern, renewable-based electricity system.
“Energy efficiency remains one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to lower bills and cut emissions, but with more renewables powering our grid, smart and connected products are also essential,” said Dr Pelenur.
“The E3 Strategic Plan recognises this turning point and gives us a clear, coordinated pathway to 2035, ensuring consumers and businesses benefit from products that are cheaper to run today and fit for the energy system of tomorrow.”
In New Zealand, since 2002, over 102 million regulated products, from dishwashers and heat pumps to commercial fridges, have been sold. The regulations have saved more than 108 PJ of energy use – equivalent to the yearly energy use of 2.5 million homes and $2.6 billion in national benefit.
“The new strategy identifies new opportunities to expand the programme’s impact, by including support for smart appliances that enable flexible energy use across the system, enabling a more efficient system-wide energy management approach,” Dr Pelenur said.
“This will further reduce energy bills, support business competitiveness and strengthen energy-system resilience as both countries aim for affordable, resilient, and renewable energy.
“Strong trans-Tasman cooperation through the E3 Program also means manufacturers can operate more easily across both markets, while households benefit from consistent, high-performing products.”
The E3 Strategy consists of three documents:
- Strategic Plan – setting the long-term vision and outcomes to 2035
- Implementation Plan – outlining how governments will deliver those outcomes
- Annual Workplan – identifying priority projects each year
Together, these documents provide a clear and coordinated framework to ensure the E3 Programme remains responsive to rapid technological change, evolving consumer needs and emerging energy trends.
Read the E3 Strategy documents
Additional information
About the E3 Programme
The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Programme is a long-standing partnership between the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and the New Zealand Government.
Through the E3 Programme, governments work together to:
- set minimum energy performance standards for appliances and equipment
- provide trusted energy-rating labels and information
- ensure inefficient products are kept out of the market
- help households and businesses choose products that cost less to run
The programme has been operating for more than 20 years and has saved consumers billions of dollars in energy costs across Australia and New Zealand.