THE national broadband network could significantly reduce Australia’s carbon footprint and cut consumers’ power bills, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says.

Consumers connected to “smart grids” via the $43 billion network will pay less for electricity through a more efficient use of power, also reducing the need for more power generators, he says.

“Australia has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions by 2020 and this will require an economy-wide response,” Senator Conroy said during an address at the National Press Club in Canberra.

“The fact is broadband is a green technology. In fact, it is an enabler of efficiencies that could drive major reductions in carbon emissions.”

He said energy providers were already planning to use broadband to improve the way they monitor and manage power distribution. The national broadband network would help energy companies balance the peaks and troughs of daily usage.

“Smart grids connected by broadband raise the potential to not only monitor energy use but to allow remote adjustment of lights or temperature,” Senator Conroy said.

“For households this means opportunities for reduced power consumption and costs. This in turn allows them to sell the recovered power on the market, reducing the need for new power generators.”

Estimates in the United States had put the cost savings for consumers connected to smart grid networks at between five per cent and 25 per cent. Other research pointed to further savings for Australia stemming from the national broadband network.

“In fact, (climate change analysis company) Climate Risk has estimated that local energy and travel savings alone could be worth up to $6.6 billion annually.”

The Opposition remains critical of the broadband plan, with communications spokesman Nick Minchin scoffing at Senator Conroy’s claims about the network’s contribution to the climate change fight.

“According to Senator Conroy there is no need for an ETS (emissions trading scheme) because the NBN is going to slash our emissions on its own,” Senator Minchin said.

“Senator Conroy is claiming this all singing, all dancing NBN is also going to save the planet.”