Posted on 27 Oct 2025
As ESG reporting becomes mandatory and decarbonisation accelerates, Australia’s steelmakers are rethinking how they source and manage energy — not just to stay competitive, but to future-proof their operations.
Australia’s steel industry is standing at a defining moment. With growing pressure from investors, regulators and supply chains to demonstrate measurable sustainability outcomes, energy strategy has shifted from an operational expense to a cornerstone of business resilience.
At the Australian Steel Convention 2025, the themes of Green Steel and the Path to Decarbonisation and Energy, Efficiency, and the Steel Industry’s Energy Transition dominated discussion. Speakers from across the sector agreed that energy transition is key to decarbonising production and meeting future ESG obligations. The conversation was bolstered by the Federal Government’s $1 billion Green Iron Investment Fund, designed to accelerate low-emission steelmaking and ensure Australia remains competitive in the global shift toward green steel.
Local producers are already taking action. BlueScope Steel has reported a 12 per cent reduction in steelmaking emissions intensity since 2018 and is trialling Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) technology powered by renewable energy. In Western Australia, BHP, Rio Tinto and BlueScope are collaborating on a pilot project using renewable-powered electric smelting furnaces to produce low-carbon iron. Meanwhile, InfraBuild continues to invest in electric arc furnace (EAF) technology at its Laverton site, reducing Scope 2 emissions through renewable electricity and improving reporting accuracy.
For manufacturers, energy management has become a key ESG lever. Strategic engagement with partners such as Choice Energy enables businesses to assess their energy footprint, identify renewable procurement opportunities and develop tailored solutions such as GreenPower and renewable PPA agreements, on-site solar generation, and structured procurement models. These initiatives deliver traceable, reportable emissions reductions while supporting long-term cost stability. Aligning such efforts with frameworks like Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) and ISSB-aligned ESG standards further strengthens transparency and investor confidence.
The message from the 2025 Steel Convention was clear: Australia’s steel industry is ready to lead the next phase of industrial decarbonisation. By embedding renewable energy and smarter procurement into operations — supported by expert partners like Choice Energy — steelmakers can turn ESG obligations into strategic advantage and build a stronger, greener future for Australian manufacturing.
Source:Australian Manufacturing Forum
