Albany’s gas network is being switched off. What are your options?

For decades, thousands of Albany households have relied on reticulated gas for cooking, hot water and home heating. But that is about to change.

ATCO has announced it will decommission the Albany Gas Distribution System (AGDS), the reticulated LPG network that supplies approximately 8,000 residential and business customers across Albany and surrounding suburbs. According to ATCO, the network is nearing the end of its useful life, and replacing the ageing infrastructure would result in significant costs for customers. The network decommissioning is expected to commence in 2027 and occur over a staged three-year period.

The big question for Albany households is simple:

When your gas connection is eventually disconnected, what should you replace it with?

What Does This Mean for Albany Residents?

If your home is connected to the Albany Gas Distribution System, you'll eventually need to decide how you'll power any appliances currently using gas.

Your current gas appliances may include:

• Gas hot water systems

• Gas room heaters and ducted heating systems

• Gas cooktops and ovens

• Outdoor gas appliances such as barbecues or patio heaters

ATCO and the WA Government have stated that no immediate action is required and affected customers will receive notice before their connection is disconnected.

However, some households have already started to think about the future, locking in tradespeople and supplies before the potential 2027 rush. Households that plan ahead may have more flexibility, access to incentives and more time to make considered decisions rather than rushed upgrades. With solar and battery rebates declining every six months, early action could save you more in the long run. could save you money

Understanding Your Options

For most households, there are five realistic pathways.

Option 1: Electrify Everything with Solar and Battery 

This involves replacing gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives and powering them with rooftop solar and a home battery.

You might install:

• A heat pump hot water system

• Reverse-cycle air conditioning for heating

• An induction cooktop

• Rooftop solar

• Solar battery

Pros

✅ Lowest long-term energy bills

✅ Greater protection from rising energy prices

✅ Use your solar energy day and night

✅ Increased energy independence

✅ Reduced exposure to future energy market changes

✅ Potential backup power capability depending on battery design

✅ Lower carbon emissions

✅ Future-proofs your home

✅ One energy bill for electricity

✅ VPP Rewards for ongoing savings

✅ Clean energy source

Cons

❌ Highest upfront investment, depending on existing appliances

❌ May require switchboard upgrades or electrical work

Why Electrification with Solar + Battery is our recommended option for Albany residents and business

Solar and battery systems have become significantly more affordable in recent years, while new rebates and incentive programs are helping reduce upfront costs.

A fully electrified home powered by solar and battery can dramatically reduce energy bills and ongoing running costs of a home and business, while protecting from increasing energy prices. 

Instead of replacing one fuel source with another, you're generating and storing your own energy.

You'll also consolidate everything into one small electricity bill. You can choose to pay for your upgrades upfront or spread them out in low weekly instalments with Plico Finance or with the WA Interest-Free Loan. 

For many Albany households, this is the closest thing to a long-term energy solution.

Option 2: Electrify and Install Solar Panels

This pathway replaces gas appliances with electric versions while installing solar panels but no battery.

Pros

✅ Lower upfront cost than solar and battery

✅ Significant reduction in daytime electricity costs

✅ Reduced reliance on gas

✅ One energy bill for electricity

✅ Simple and proven technology

✅ Cleaner energy source

Cons

❌ Solar generation is only available during daylight hours

❌ Electricity still needs to be purchased from the grid overnight

❌ Less protection from future electricity price increases

❌ Excess solar is sent to the grid rather than being used in your home

This is often a good stepping stone, particularly for households planning to add a battery later. However, if a solar battery is in your future, now is a great time to make the most of state and federal battery rebates. 

Option 3: Electrify and Rely on the Grid

Under this option, you replace gas appliances with electric alternatives but don't install solar or battery storage.

Pros

✅ Lowest upfront cost among electrification options

✅ One energy bill for electricity

✅ Eliminates dependence on gas

Cons

❌ Higher ongoing electricity bills

❌ No opportunity to generate your own power

❌ Fully exposed to future electricity price increases

❌ Miss out on solar savings

While this option removes the need for gas entirely, it generally delivers the lowest financial benefit over the long term.

Option 4: Electrify Some Appliances and Switch to Bottled Gas

Many households may choose a hybrid approach: electrify their hot water system to a heat pump but keep gas for cooking. Or replace a gas cooktop with induction and keep gas for heating. Whatever gas appliances remain, they will need to be supplied with bottled gas. 

Pros

✅ Lower upfront cost than full electrification

✅ Allows gradual transition

✅ Maintain preferred gas cooking experience

✅ Flexibility

Cons

❌ Two energy systems to manage

❌ Gas plumbing adjustments

❌ Ongoing bottled gas delivery costs

❌ Less bill reduction than full electrification

❌ Future appliance replacements may still be required

❌ Fossil fuel energy source

This can make sense for households wanting to spread upgrade costs over time and who aren't worried about "running out" of gas. 

Option 5: Switch Completely to Bottled Gas

ATCO has confirmed that because Albany's network already supplies LPG, customers can generally switch to bottled LPG without replacing existing gas appliances.

Pros

✅ Minimal disruption

✅ Existing gas appliances can often stay

✅ Familiar cooking and heating

✅ Lower initial conversion costs

Cons

❌ Ongoing bottled gas costs

❌ Continued exposure to LPG price increases

❌ No reduction in energy consumption

❌ Doesn't provide the energy independence benefits of solar or battery storage

❌ Less future-ready than electrification

❌ Fossil fuel energy source

For households seeking the simplest transition, bottled gas may be attractive. However, it does little to address long-term energy affordability and energy reliability. 

What Rebates or Incentives are available?

The WA Government has announced a $20.9 million Albany Transition Program, including $16 million in support for residential customers and small businesses impacted by the gas network decommissioning. The Program will cover the cost of standard household transitions to LPG bottles, which is expected to be around $1,600. Residents can either use their standard transition support towards bottled gas conversion costs or allocate that funding towards electrification options, including electric appliances.

In addition, Albany households may be able to access:

• Federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) that reduce the cost of solar installations and heat pumps

• WA Residential Battery Scheme rebates

• WA Residential Battery Scheme interest-free loans (households <$210,000/year combined income)

• Appliance-specific rebates and energy-efficiency incentives as they become available

Eligibility and funding programs continue to evolve, so it's worth seeking up-to-date advice before making a decision or reach out to the switched-on team at Plico on 1300 175 426 to explore your options. 

Why more Albany Households are choosing Electrification

The Albany gas transition isn't simply about replacing a gas connection.

It's an opportunity to rethink how your home is powered.

A modern electric home with solar and battery storage can:

• Lower energy bills

• Increase energy security

• Reduce dependence on energy retailers

• Improve home comfort

• Support future technologies such as electric vehicles

• Help protect against future energy price increases

While every household is different, full electrification combined with solar and battery storage offers the strongest long-term outcome for most homeowners.

Plan Early. Avoid Pressure Later.

The decommissioning process will be staged over several years and no immediate action is required. However, households that start exploring their options now will have more time to budget, compare solutions and take advantage of available incentives. With generous rebates available, a solar and battery solution may be more affordable than you think. 

Plico is ready to help Albany households make the switch

Plico has been helping Albany families take control of their energy since 2019. We have installers operating in the region and extensive experience designing solar and battery systems suited to Albany homes, lifestyles and climate. 

Whether you're considering solar, battery storage, full electrification or simply want to understand your options, our local team can help you create a plan that's right for your home and your budget.

Albany's energy future is changing. The best time to start planning is before you have to.

Reach out today for an honest, no-obligation chat on 1300 175 426 about your energy options. 

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