Queenslanders to cash in on PeakSmart air-con program

Queenslanders will receive a cash reward of up to $400 if they take part in the PeakSmart air-conditioning program.

The program is expanding to regional Queensland, which means a household or small business, will received a bonus if they purchase a peak smart air-conditioner.

As part of Queensland’s Summer Preparedness Plan, the state government has made the program available to regional Queenslanders for the first time, Treasurer Curtis Pitt and Energy Minister Mark Bailey announced this week.

Mr Pitt said when the temperature rises in Queensland, many homes and businesses switch on their air-conditioners at the same time.

“Regional Queenslanders will now have the option to help manage peak demand and receive up to $400 by installing a PeakSmart air-conditioner,” Mr Pitt said.

“Not only is this an innovative program that assists Energy Queensland with managing peak demand, it also provides households with additional cash that can make their electricity bill more affordable.

“Expanding the PeakSmart program to include regional Queensland households is part of the Summer Preparedness Plan that focuses on ensuring Queensland’s power system security and reliability.”

Mr Bailey said Queensland was already feeling the early signs of a hot summer with the potential of high demand for electricity.

“The Queensland Energy Security Taskforce has worked closely with Queensland’s electricity generators and our networks to develop the Summer Preparedness Plan to ensure that we can respond to these challenges,” Mr Bailey said.

“Equally, we need to support our businesses and households to keep cool during our hot summers.

“No doubt Queenslanders will want their air-conditioners running to beat the summer heat and we want to help Queenslanders to reduce their cooling costs.

“That’s why we’re expanding the PeakSmart air-conditioning incentive program that has been run by Energex in South East Queensland to now also be available in regional Queensland.”

Mr Bailey said customers choosing to be PeakSmart won’t have their air-conditioners switched off during load management events, but they will run at a lower level similar to economy mode.

He said there were currently more than 70,000 PeakSmart air‑conditioners installed in South East Queensland.

“There are also about 60,000 air-conditioners that are PeakSmart compatible in regional Queensland – an addition of a signal receiver will allow these air-conditioners to be PeakSmart,” Mr Bailey said.

“It is expected an average of 1500 additional customers (each month) could join the program, which will help manage the increasing demand on the network through the summer months.”

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