Small and medium businesses (SMEs) across the country will benefit from a new $62 million grants program designed to help them become more energy efficient, ease pressure on their energy bills and reduce emissions.
The Albanese Government this week opened the Energy Efficiency Grants for SMEs program with a $16 million investment through Round 1 of the program to support businesses to save on their energy bills. The second round of grants will be delivered next year.
Grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 will be available to SMEs in all industry sectors to enable them to take energy-saving measures such as installing tools to monitor energy use, upgrading, or replacing existing air conditioners with high efficiency units or gas heating boilers with heat pumps.
The grants are just another example of the Albanese Government delivering on its commitments and putting downward pressure on the cost of living.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister said the program would help businesses use less energy and improve their competitiveness, while lowering carbon emissions.
“Our government is committed to helping reduce the cost of running a business in Australia through lower energy costs, while taking strong action on climate change,” Assistant Minister McAllister said.
“These grants deliver on our election commitment to support Australian businesses to increase the uptake of energy efficient technologies, which will also help Australia reach net zero emissions by 2050.”
"Improvements in the energy efficiency will ease pressure on energy bills for these SMEs and on the grid, and drive better energy performance across the economy.”
Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips is encouraging businesses on the NSW South Coast to apply for the program.
"Small businesses on the NSW South Coast are so important to our region, and I encourage them to apply for this program. With grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 available, businesses can take steps to become more energy-efficient and reduce their operating costs."
"I'm proud to be part of a team that is committed to helping SMEs reduce their operating costs and improve their energy performance. I encourage all small and medium businesses to apply for these grants and take advantage of this opportunity to become more energy-efficient."
Applications for the grants are open now and close on the 19th of April 2023.
For more information about the Energy Efficiency Grants for SMEs program and how to apply, visit https://business.gov.au/eegsme.
