Small businesses secure $41m in energy grants
The government has given thousands of SMEs funding to spur the uptake of energy-efficient technology and equipment.
Over 1,700 small businesses have been given $41 million in grants to save on energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint, the government announced last week.
The federal funding comes from the second round of the Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Program and is almost triple the amount given out during the first round.
Minister for Small Business Julie Collins said the grants would make a positive difference for many small businesses.
“These grants will help small businesses make energy performance upgrades that otherwise may not have been possible,” she said.
“Everyone benefits from upgrading to energy performance technology and longer equipment life, which are both good for cash flow.”
The funds would go towards a variety of energy-saving upgrades, including the installation of modern heat pump technology, LED lighting and improvements to commercial refrigeration systems.
The government said grant recipients spanned diverse sectors including a family-owned winery in South Australia insulating wine storage tanks to a cocktail bar in Hobart upgrading its heating systems for cold winters.
It said the grants were also part of a larger $640 million small business support package and also contributed to Australia's emissions reduction targets of 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
"These grants are part of our commitment to ease the cost of doing business, working alongside the $325 energy rebate for around 1 million small businesses across the country," she said.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister said the government was committed to improving small businesses’ energy efficiency.
"Energy performance improvements help small businesses take control of their energy use, while reducing emissions,” she said.
“From Darwin to Hobart, and Perth to Sydney, our government is committed to helping small businesses ease cost-of-living pressures and make every watt count.”
“Breweries, manufacturers and commercial kitchens know that simple upgrades to LEDs, refrigeration or heating not only put downward pressure on bills but can also increase productivity and worker comfort.”
Grants were awarded to eligible applicants on a first come, first served basis in order of application receipt until the funding was used up.
Funding was allocated between the states and territories based on the distribution of SMEs nationally.
Last year, the Australian Energy Regulator announced electricity prices would increase between 20 and 25 per cent for customers in South Australia, NSW and South-East Queensland from July.
The average quarterly electricity bill faced by small businesses averaged around $953, according to data from comparison website Canstar Blue.
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