The Andrews Labor Government has launched a new grants fund to support Victoria’s large energy users to transform the way they use energy, lowering costs and reducing emissions.
As a part of the Victorian Budget’s 2020/21 $1.6 billion clean energy investment, the $31 million Business Recovery Energy Efficiency Fund will help Victorian businesses fast-track investments that create more efficient production lines and improve their competitiveness.
This new fund will lower operating costs for businesses while creating jobs and reducing emissions as part of Victoria’s clean energy transition. The grants are open to medium and large energy using industrial and commercial businesses.
Applications for the fund are now open, with two types of grants available—Capital Works and Energy Demand Management. Phase 1 applications for the grants close on December 31, 2020, and phase 2 applications close on January 31, 2021. Capital Works grants will assist Victoria’s largest energy users to install energy saving equipment and encourage investment in projects that create jobs and support key supply chains.
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Projects that may be funded include the installation of energy efficient equipment, replacing emissions-intensive equipment with low-emissions alternatives, including switching from natural gas to biogas or electric alternatives, and the purchase of communications and monitoring technology to reduce energy use at a site.
Energy demand management grants are also available to businesses to support the installation of energy management systems, energy assessments and implementation of demand management solutions.
This includes funding for technology needed to enable demand response, including communications and control technology, professional advice to support uptake, feasibility studies and energy audits.
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Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said, “This fund will help large energy users to bounce back from the pandemic while lowering their energy costs, reducing emissions and creating more jobs for Victorians.”
“These grants are another example of how the Labor Government is helping businesses upgrade their energy systems, ensuring everyone can benefit from our transition to cheaper, cleaner energy.”
“This budget has delivered energy efficiency measures for every Victorian—from vulnerable households to big businesses—all while delivering a fairer energy sector that is kinder to our environment.”