The annual Queensland Household Energy Survey (QHES) undertaken by Powerlink Queensland, Ergon Energy and Energex - part of Energy Queensland - showed Queenslanders were continuing to adopt more energy efficient behaviours, with the biggest shift coming from the installation of rooftop solar PV.
The percentage of Queensland households with solar installations is predicted to jump from 33% to 48% over the next three years according to insights from the latest Queensland Household Energy Survey.
The latest survey of 4500 customers in Queensland shows solar PV increasing 11 fold since 2009, with 33% of our Queensland households having rooftop solar. This continued strong growth in rooftop solar PV installation is also the biggest influence on residents’ energy efficient behaviours, with many adjusting timings for when they use appliances to get more value out of their system.
The concern about electricity bills is at a three-year low and keeping downward pressure on prices is still a priority.
The annual survey provides Powerlink with important information to help plan and operate the state’s electricity networks for the future.
Over the last ten years more than 40,000 Queenslanders have been surveyed to understand their needs. This survey of household customers gives us insights into what matters to them most and what they’re doing differently as part of the energy transition.
The continued decrease in the cost of new technologies is changing customer behaviour and how our energy system is used.
While battery storage systems are currently in less than 1% of Queensland homes, investment in batteries will grow as their costs decrease. Nearly 30% of Queensland households stated their intention to install a battery in their homes over the next 10 years.
Understanding how our customers are changing behaviours and adopting new technology is critical to providing safe, cost effective and reliable electricity networks into the future.
A key insight from this year’s survey for Energy Queensland related to electric vehicles (EVs) and growing interest due to falling costs. Only about 2% of Queenslanders say they own an EV, but once current models get closer to the $40,000 mark, it’s likely this market will open right up.
Those who already own EVs almost always charge their car at home, according to the latest survey. This is important information because it helps plan and operate the network for those peak times of day.
The 2019 Queensland Household Energy Survey was jointly undertaken by Powerlink Queensland, Ergon Energy and Energex, and included a sample of 4,536 Queenslanders, with interviews carried out from 16 November 2019 to 12 December 2019.
Read the Insights Report to find out more.
