$67 million investment in energy efficiency to cut costs and emissions
Businesses and households will continue to see further reductions in their power bills thanks to the Morrison Government's $67 million investment in new energy efficiency measures.
These measures will help businesses and households reduce their energy costs and emissions.
The Energy Efficient Communities Program will provide $50 million in more than 2,500 grants to eligible businesses and community organisations to help them save energy by either installing new equipment or by reviewing and improving their energy management.
Eligible small businesses will be able to claim grants of up to $20,000, high-energy using businesses up to $25,000, and community groups up to $12,500.
We know that businesses and community groups are struggling under the weight of high power prices. That's why we're taking strong steps to ensure they get the practical support that they need to reduce their energy use without reducing productivity.
We are investing in them, so they can invest in their business, their staff and their local communities.
We are also taking steps to expand the National Australian Built Environment Rating System to include more types of commercial buildings, such as schools, industrial buildings and retail stores.
This will improve and increase energy efficiency in this sector by allowing building owners to understand and benchmark their energy use.
We are also investing in the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings by broadening resources to help homes become more energy efficient, examining options to apply Energy Rating labels to heating appliances, and reviewing the Commercial Building Disclosure Program to expand it to even more high-energy use buildings.
These measures have specifically been designed to provide support to Australian families and businesses without excessive regulation and burden.
Together, this investment will deliver an abatement of 63Mt of carbon, ensuring we make a meaningful contribution to our emissions.
The Morrison Government remains committed to ensuring customers remain at the centre of its energy policy. Promoting efficient energy usage is an important part of this plan.
These initiatives will build on the Government's established, and successful, range of energy efficiency measures including:
- appliance and equipment energy efficiency standards and energy labelling, including through the COAG Energy Council;
- vehicle fuel efficiency and electric vehicles, through Clean Energy Finance Corporate loans and Australian Renewable Energy Agency grants; and
- the new Business Energy Advice Program, to help businesses identify ways to reduce their energy usage and get a better, fairer deal on their energy costs.