2026 Pre-Election Policy Priorities | A Resources Sector Roadmap
Energy Affordability & Reliability

Energy reliability and affordability, including the role of gas and gas supply for energy security is of paramount importance and a first-order priority for SACOME.

Clear, staged transition planning is needed to improve energy reliability and affordability; and to position the South Australian resources sector as a national leader in low-carbon mining, energy and processing.

SACOME members advise that energy reliability and affordability is of paramount importance and a first-order priority.
 
SACOME members have emphasised the importance of energy competitiveness, recognising that South Australia continues to have among the highest average electricity costs in the nation. This operates as a jurisdictional disadvantage, impacting project investment, development and operating costs.
 
Development of existing and new gas supply must continue to be a focus, recognising its importance as an input to electricity generation, firming, smelting and manufacturing has been strongly emphasised.
 
Bringing new supply online is seen as critical, with approval, Native Title and land access agreement timeframes identified as delaying factors. Ensuring that gas prices are cost-competitive remains a key issue for industry.
 
A streamlined regulatory process and stable fiscal regime that encourages continued investment into operational assets and doesn’t adversely affect existing investments as they naturally decline is essential.  
 
SACOME has previously called for development of an Energy Transition Roadmap to consolidate energy transition challenges across the whole of the South Australian economy; and set out measures to mitigate cost and operational risk for heavy industry while assisting the shift toward net-zero.
 
SACOME reiterates that clear, staged transition planning is needed to improve energy reliability and affordability; and to position the South Australian resources sector as a national leader in low-carbon mining, energy and processing.
 
Industry-government collaboration must be central to this process.
 
Industry roundtables are a proven vehicle for such dialogue and SACOME suggests that either the Energy Resources Summit, or a dedicated forum is tasked with progressing this work. SACOME calls for funding to be made available to the Department of Energy & Mining to facilitate energy transition planning.