The Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has opened the Energy Efficient Communities Grants Program for applications. The Energy Efficient Communities Program will deliver $40 million in grants to help community groups and businesses lower their energy bills and reduce emissions via:
- equipment upgrades that reduce energy consumption
- investment in energy and emissions monitoring and management systems to better manage energy use
- completion of energy systems assessments according to the Australian Standard or feasibility studies to investigate energy efficiency opportunities
- for community organisations only, energy generation and storage projects (for example, solar PV panels, batteries and solar hot water)
As mentioned above, applications are now open for two streams of the program; Business Stream and Community Organisations Stream. Small businesses can apply for a grant of up to $20,000 with no co-contribution required; high energy-using businesses can apply for a grant of up to $25,000 with a matching co-contribution required; and community organisations can apply for a grant of up to $12,500 with no co-contribution required.
See below for more information on eligible activities:
Community Organisations Stream:
- new solar photovoltaic (PV) generator systems
- new battery systems and battery energy storage systems
- new solar hot water heaters or air source hot water heat pumps to replace existing hot water heaters
- new LED lighting equipment to replace existing non-LED lighting
- new energy efficient lighting controls
- new high efficiency split system air conditioning units to replace existing split system, packaged or window-wall air conditioning units
- energy audits
Election commitments given to community organisations limit the eligible activities for those that received an invitation to apply to:
- new solar photovoltaic (PV) generator systems
- new battery systems and battery energy storage systems
Business Stream:
- equipment upgrades that reduce energy consumption (excluding solar generators and batteries)
- investment in monitoring systems to better manage energy use
- energy audits or energy-efficiency investment feasibility studies
For more information please visit: https://www.energy.gov.au/government-priorities/energy-programs/energy-efficient-communities-program
