The Federal government has recently announced the Energy Efficient Communities Program – High Energy Using Business Grant, which is up to $25,000 of funding for businesses that use more than 0.05 PJ in energy per annum, with applications closing at 5pm AEST on 24 September 2020.
Who is eligible for the support?
- Your business must consume more than 0.05 PJ (50,000 GJ) of energy per annum (this roughly means you spend more than $500k on natural gas and/or a few $million on electricity)
- This energy consumption does not have to be at a single site – it can be spread across multiple sites within the business
- You must have an ABN, and be either a company incorporated in Australia, a co-operative, or an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
What can the funding be used for?
- Equipment upgrades to improve energy efficiency
- Equipment replacement to improve energy efficiency
- Feasibility studies of energy projects
- Energy audits
- Energy monitoring equipment
What CAN’T the funding be used for?
- Paying salaries
- Solar systems
- Batteries
- Purchase of vehicles
- Power factor correction
- Maintenance or repair costs
How does the funding work?
- The 50% grant can be put towards a project across a single site or multiple sites
- The minimum grant is $10,000, and the maximum is $25,000
- As part of the application process, you must provide sufficient details with regards to your project, provide evidence of your energy consumption across all fuel types, provide evidence that there is senior management support for the project, as well as some business financials
- The funding is first-in-first-served, with a budgeted allowance by state. For example, this means there are around 200 grants available in NSW, 160 in VIC, and 110 in QLD.
- Successful applicants will be informed by early December and are expected to implement the project within 18 months
- The grant payment is made in full at project end upon receipt of a completion report
- Grant applications must be submitted by 25 September
Please contact Ross Tunmer or see Grants and Programs