Federal governing administration opens $16m in SME electricity performance grants

Smaller and medium firms battling to keep up with increasing ability expenses can now apply for up to $25,000 in federal governing administration grants, with the funding meant to help enterprises install new electrical power-efficient technological innovation and investigate ways to successfully lessen their energy usage.

From Monday, suitable SMEs can implement for the initial round of the Electricity Effectiveness Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (EEGSME) scheme, a system the federal government hopes will kick commence extended-term vitality efficiency updates in the non-public sector.

Dozens of tasks are eligible for grant funding: companies can assert grants for new energy-economical refrigerators and air conditioners, LED lights, h2o boiler replacements, insulation all-around ovens and pipework, and double-glazed home windows, amid other people.

In addition, firms can claim the cost of vitality efficiency audits, which may perhaps be the initially phase a small organization usually takes when figuring out which updates will deliver the best benefit and spending on units made to keep an eye on a building’s vitality use.

In a joint assertion, Minister for Tiny Company Julie Collins and Assistant Minister for Local climate Modify and Energy Jenny McAllister mentioned Spherical 1 of the EEGSME application will give $16 million of funding.

It varieties portion of a broader $62 million federal authorities dedication to boosting company electricity performance.

To use, corporations must have a headcount of 199 people or fewer and approach energy-focused expenditure of $10,000 or extra.

Purposes close Wednesday, April 19, or when its funding is exhausted.

The program’s launch comes just about a yr after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, which disturbed international electrical power markets, elevated domestic buyer expenses, and made an possibility for source giants to experience important income. 

Regardless of interventions by the federal governing administration, Treasurer Jim Chalmers last thirty day period mentioned energy costs are nonetheless expected to increase a even more 23% in 2023-2024.

These disruptions, and elevated expenditures, carry on to affect compact enterprises nationwide.

“Across the place, I listen to from modest businesses who tell me that electricity costs are an rising cost to their enterprise which is why the Albanese Authorities is acting,” Collins claimed.

“The grants will give useful guidance together with the Government’s whole-of-financial system approach to soaring electrical power expenses, giving enterprises far more safety and confidence.”

The scheme was announced as element of the Labor Government’s 2022-2023 Federal Price range, which originally forecast the EEGSME software would provide $17 million in funding in excess of the money 12 months.

It was one of a suite of steps the federal government has launched in an endeavor to minimise the harms of runaway strength price ranges.

In December, the federal government productively guided its electricity price tag cap legislation into law.

The federal government also earmarked up to $1.5 billion in electrical power invoice reduction for having difficulties homes and small companies.

That funding will be matched by states and territories, Primary Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned at the time, with the specific funding mechanisms to be worked out by each individual jurisdiction in accordance to the specific desires of their households and enterprises.