Victorians can keep using gas stoves in their kitchens for as long as they want because the Allan government has removed them from the net zero plan.
New laws will be proposed to state parliament to promote offshore gas storage projects. This is intended to help with falling gas supplies and avoid energy shortages in the coming years.
The legislation will also show that Victoria is open to importing gas from other states or countries, as there might not be enough local gas to meet future needs.
Premier Jacinta Allan will announce these changes this week. The government wants to ensure a stable gas supply for power plants that will replace coal-fired plants after 2028. Allan said that while the state is working on renewable energy for the future, gas will still be needed in the short term. She added that while Victorians can continue using gas, switching to electric appliances might save money.
There was a plan to phase out gas cooktops in existing homes by requiring replacements with electric options, but this will not be discussed in the current regulations. The road map to reduce gas use will still ban gas connections for new buildings, which has been controversial.
A recent energy market report warned of possible gas shortages starting in 2026 and worsening from 2028 when supplies from the Bass Strait are expected to drop. The new laws will allow gas to be stored in empty reservoirs underwater or in rock layers and used when demand is high. This could attract investment in storage projects like the Golden Beach Gas Project near Gippsland.
The government also approved a new gas field in southwest Victoria earlier this year but has otherwise limited new gas production since 2014 due to a ban on unconventional extraction methods like fracking. Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said that underwater storage is a temporary solution while renewable energy capacity grows. Gas currently provides about five percent of Victoria’s electricity and is used during peak times or when coal plants are offline.
