A report released at the Copenhagen climate change summit by the International Electricity Partnership shows that low emission electricity can be delivered by 2050 so long as government policies are fully supportive of the necessary changes.

The International Electricity Partnership was formed in 2008 and comprises the Energy Supply Association of Australia, the Canadian Electricity Association, Eurelectric, the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan and the Edison Electric Institute of the US.

The work of the partnership shows that deep emission reductions are achievable with the development and application of new technology, an adequate transition period to change over the necessary generation and network equipment, vastly improved end-use efficiency and supportive government policies.

The report also finds that there is a need to align the emission reduction targets with the roadmap to low emission technologies.

Emission reductions will be required from every sector of the economy. The report concludes that low emission electricity will find new and diverse applications including in personal transport through electric vehicles, the increased electrification of expanding public transport systems, water provision via desalination, and highly efficient space heating and cooling using advanced heat pumps.

The report is available at http://www.esaa.com.au/reports-%26-studies.html.