Connect with us

Published

on

Accessing government energy grants in Victoria (VIC) and New South Wales (NSW) can help reduce energy costs and improve energy efficiency in your home or business. 

A range of government grant programs are available to assist businesses with funding energy efficiency projects. Eligibility requirements can differ significantly across programs and jurisdictions, so it is necessary to review funding guidelines. 

Whatever option you choose, you should conduct an energy audit before considering finance options. So, how do you access government energy grants in VIC and NSW? Let’s get into the details.  

2024-25 Energy Bill Relief Fund for Households and Small Businesses

What is the 2024-25 Energy Bill Relief Fund?

The Commonwealth Government, in collaboration with states and territories, is providing up to $3.5 billion in electricity bill relief for eligible households and small businesses.  

This substantial financial aid is designed to alleviate the financial pressures related to energy costs, providing relief and security. 

Victorian families will receive up to $300, while eligible small companies may receive up to $325 to assist them pay their electricity costs. Households will accept payments in quarterly instalments ($75 per quarter), while small enterprises will get a single payment ($325). 

Support for Victorian Households

Victorian households can receive up to $300 in electricity bill rebates, distributed in four quarterly payments of $75. 

To qualify for this rebate, households must: 

  • Have an active electricity account with an energy retailer for their primary residence. 
  • Use electricity solely for domestic purposes, as commercial properties are not eligible. 

The first $75 payment was issued in August 2024, with subsequent credits scheduled for: 

  • October 1, 2024 
  • January 13, 2025 
  • April 1, 2025 

Most households will automatically receive the rebate through their electricity provider, with no need for further action. This streamlined process is designed to make it as easy for households to access the financial relief they need. 

Households in Embedded Networks

Residents in embedded networks, such as caravan parks, retirement villages, and apartment buildings, can apply for the rebate via Victorian Energy Compare. These customers will receive a one-time payment of $300.  

Support for Victorian Small Businesses Eligible small businesses in Victoria will receive a one-time rebate of $325 on their electricity bill. This support is a testament to the value that small businesses bring to the community and recognition of their contribution to the economy. 

Eligible small businesses in Victoria will receive a one-time rebate of $325 on their electricity bill. 

To qualify, businesses must: 

  • Have an active ABN registered on the Australian Business Register. 
  • Be on a separately metered business tariff. 
  • Have an annual electricity consumption below 40 MWh. 

The rebates began in August 2024, and most businesses will receive the credit automatically through their electricity provider. 

Small Businesses in Embedded Networks

Businesses in embedded networks, such as those within shopping centres or apartment buildings, can apply for the one-time rebate through Victorian Energy Compare.   

Australian Government Grants and Financial Assistance| Grants and Funding

renewable energy

Find funding, loans, and support programs for your business across all levels of government at business.gov.au. 

Before applying, you can assess your readiness and learn about the grant application process to improve your chances of securing funding. For energy-related financial assistance, contact Cyanergy. 

Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

The CEFC is a government-backed organisation designed to boost investment in the clean energy sector. It provides financing solutions to help businesses and consumers transition to energy-efficient technologies.   

CEFC programs support small businesses, manufacturers, agricultural enterprises, and commercial properties in adopting clean energy solutions. Funding is also available through co-financing partnerships with other organisations.   

CSIRO Kick-Start

CSIRO Kick-Start supports innovative Australian start-ups and small businesses in their research and development (R&D) efforts. The program offers:   

  • Assistance in defining research objectives   
  • Access to expert CSIRO researchers   
  • Matched funding to expand or reduce the cost of R&D services   

Tax Incentives for Businesses

Research and Development Tax Incentive (R&DTI)

The R&DTI offers tax offsets to encourage Australian companies to invest in research and development activities.   

Instant Asset Write-Off

The instant asset write-off allows small businesses to claim tax deductions upfront instead of depreciating assets over time.   

From July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $10 million could immediately deduct eligible assets costing under $20,000. This threshold is applied per asset, allowing multiple assets to be written off instantly.   

On May 14, 2024, as part of the 2024–25 Budget, the government proposed extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off for another 12 months until June 30, 2025. However, this measure is still awaiting parliamentary approval.   

Using Tax Incentives to Enhance Energy Efficiency

The Energy Efficiency Council has published a guide on leveraging tax incentives to improve energy efficiency.   

The guide explains how businesses can benefit from energy upgrades and outlines tax incentives that make these investments more cost-effective. It also includes real-world examples of how companies can apply these incentives.   

State and Territory Government Grants and Support for Businesses

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The Sustainable Business Program offers rebates to small and medium businesses in the ACT for energy-saving upgrades, such as better heating, cooling, lighting, and refrigeration.   

  • Businesses can claim up to $10,000 (including GST).   
  • Rebates are only available for new upgrades (not ones that have already started).   
  • Eligibility rules apply.   

New South Wales (NSW)

The NSW Government provides various programs, grants, and schemes to help businesses lower their energy use.   

A popular option is Building Upgrade Finance, which allows businesses to get private funding for energy upgrades in non-strata commercial buildings. Repayments are made through the local council.   

Queensland

The Queensland Government offers several programs to help businesses save energy:   

Business Energy Savers Program: This program provides free energy audits for agricultural and large businesses and funding for energy efficiency upgrades.    

South Australia

The South Australian Government offers grants and programs to help businesses improve their energy efficiency and sustainability.   

Victoria

Sustainability Victoria provides businesses with tools and expert advice to reduce costs and improve efficiency by saving energy and materials.   

Their Energy Upgrades Tool helps businesses find funding options and calculate potential savings.   

energy bills

Tasmania

The Tasmanian Government has multiple grants and programs to help businesses cut energy costs and invest in sustainability.   

Business Energy Efficiency Scheme helps businesses that use over 150 MWh of electricity annually by supporting financing costs for energy-saving projects.   

Energy Saver Loan Scheme offers interest-free loans for purchasing and installing energy-efficient products. These loans have no setup or account-keeping fees, but late payment fees may apply.   

Mandatory Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Schemes 

Some businesses, mainly energy retailers, must meet specific energy efficiency or renewable energy targets under mandatory obligation schemes. These programs often allow companies to buy and trade certificates to meet their targets.   

The schemes encourage businesses to invest in clean energy by offering financial benefits and long-term savings from reduced energy use and lower emissions.   

National Scheme

Businesses that generate renewable energy on-site may qualify for Large-Scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) under the Large-Scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) Scheme.   

  • LGCs can be sold or traded to energy retailers.   
  • To be eligible, companies must generate electricity from approved renewable sources and feed it into the grid.   

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS) helps maintain progress on energy-saving goals, ensuring affordable electricity and gas savings. It also aligns the ACT’s energy regulations with those of other states.   

New South Wales (NSW)

The Energy Saving Scheme (ESS) provides financial rewards for businesses that reduce electricity use or improve energy efficiency.   

Energy retailers must obtain Energy Savings Certificates based on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduced.   

South Australia (SA)

The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) helps homes and businesses lower energy costs while improving the overall efficiency of their power systems.   

Victoria (VIC)

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Registry is an online system.  

  • VEU manages Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) for businesses.   
  • It approves new products for energy efficiency programs.   
  • It tracks the ownership and status of certificates.   

Rebates and Assistance

The energy.gov.au rebates sorter helps businesses find government rebates, grants, loans, and support programs for energy projects.    

Other Energy Financing Options

energy consumption

Environmental Upgrade Finance (EUF) / Building Upgrade Finance (BUF)

  • External financiers cover the cost of energy-efficient building upgrades.   
  • Businesses repay the loan through a council levy, which can be passed on to tenants.   
  • If the property is sold, the payments remain tied to the building.   

This finance model is available in NSW, South Australia, and Victoria. Details are on the Building Upgrade Finance website.   

Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs)

  • Energy service companies assess a building’s energy-saving potential, finance the upgrades, and guarantee lower energy bills.   
  • The cost of upgrades is repaid through the energy savings.   
  • This model benefits tenants who save on energy bills without the building owner paying upfront costs.   

Loan Financing

Businesses can get loans with repayment plans linked to the energy savings from the project.  

Leasing

Companies can lease energy-efficient equipment to avoid high upfront costs and manage upgrades within their operating budget.   

On-Bill Financing

The energy provider covers the cost of new energy-efficient equipment. Once payments are complete, businesses repay through monthly power bills and ownership transfers. Repayments are often equal to or lower than the energy cost savings achieved.   

Contact Cyanergy for more details and talk to an expert  

Your Solution Is Just a Click Away

The post How to Access Government Energy Grants in VIC & NSW appeared first on Cyanergy.

How to Access Government Energy Grants in VIC & NSW

Continue Reading

Renewable Energy

Why Is Trump Still Here?

Published

on

I challenge anyone to watch this short video and explain how Trump still has enough standing with the American people to remain president.

This is just so embarrassing.

Rich Americans aren’t happy that their country is a laughingstock around the world, but their fortunes are multiplying, so what’s the big deal?  How does personal integrity come into play when there is so much money at stake?

The MAGA crowd, i.e., uneducated white people, believe Trump when he says that he has brought back respect for the United States.

Why Is Trump Still Here?

Continue Reading

Renewable Energy

Celebrating America

Published

on

At left is the ultraconservative crap that Fox News feeds its viewers.

In fact, the theme of U.S. 250th birthday party would be liberty and justice for all Americans, not just rich white people.

Celebrating America

Continue Reading

Renewable Energy

Siemens Gamesa Warns Europe, Shell Sells Offshore Wind

Published

on

Weather Guard Lightning Tech

Siemens Gamesa Warns Europe, Shell Sells Offshore Wind

Allen covers Siemens Gamesa’s warning that Europe is 40 GW short on offshore wind, Shell’s plan to sell its offshore wind farms, Maine’s multi-state bidding round, and Egypt’s grid financing deal.

Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly newsletter on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on YouTubeLinkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary’s “Engineering with Rosie” YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us!

The wind industry got a warning this week… and it came from the top.

Siemens Gamesa, the world’s largest maker of offshore wind turbines, says governments in Europe may be running out of time. The company’s chief executive sounded the alarm Thursday. Europe is currently forty gigawatts short of its one-hundred-and-twenty gigawatt offshore target for twenty thirty. Sixteen gigawatts of projects in Germany alone are at risk of delay, tangled up in lengthy permitting and grid connection backlogs. The plants are running full today. But without new orders soon, factories could go dark for contracts starting in twenty twenty-eight.

“It is not yet an existential threat,” said Siemens Gamesa chief Vinod Philip, “but it could become one.” He stopped short of predicting shutdowns. But he said the company would likely have to downsize resources if governments fail to act quickly. Europe’s offshore supply chain has already committed fourteen billion euros to meet the twenty thirty targets. That is roughly sixteen billion dollars… with no guarantee the orders will follow.

Meanwhile… one of the world’s biggest oil companies is quietly walking away from wind. Shell is preparing to sell its offshore wind farms in a deal that could fetch more than one billion dollars. The company has hired advisers to run the process, which could launch before the year is out, with a sale expected sometime in twenty twenty-seven.

Shell once dreamed of becoming the world’s largest electricity producer. That vision died when its current chief executive took over in early twenty twenty-three and shifted the focus back to fossil fuels and shareholder returns. Since then, Shell has been unwinding its green power portfolio piece by piece. It sold its European onshore renewables arm. It sold Indian renewable company Sprng Energy, which it had bought just years earlier for one-point-five-five billion dollars. And it walked away from planned offshore wind farms in Scotland. When this latest sale closes, Shell will have little wind left in its portfolio.

But where one door closes… another opens. Up in the northernmost corner of Maine, a region that has sat on one of the best wind resources in the country for years, a long-awaited breakthrough may finally be at hand. The Maine Public Utilities Commission is closing its latest round of bidding for wind and solar generation in Aroostook County, plus the new transmission lines needed to move that power south to the rest of New England. The target: at least twelve hundred megawatts. Enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes.

Maine is not going it alone this time. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont are sharing the cost of the new transmission infrastructure. The previous attempt in twenty twenty-one fell apart. Costs rose. Deals could not be finalized. Landowners fought the proposed one-hundred-forty-mile power line. This time, officials say things are different. The multi-state partnership changes the math. And northern Maine’s wind resource has not gone anywhere. Dozens of energy companies have signed up to compete, from local developers to major multinationals. If everything goes to plan, the best-case scenario puts new turbines spinning in the twenty thirties.

And half a world away… Egypt is making a major investment to keep pace with its own renewable ambitions. The Egyptian prime minister this week witnessed the signing of a financing agreement worth sixty billion Egyptian pounds, earmarked for the national electricity transmission network. That money will go toward upgrading the grid so it can absorb the solar and wind power Egypt plans to add in the coming years. The target: forty-five percent of national electricity from renewable sources by twenty twenty-eight. The electricity minister said modernizing the grid is a “continuous and evolving process,” and that implementation timelines are being compressed to meet that twenty twenty-eight deadline.

The wind is shifting. The question is… who moves with it.

And that’s the state of the wind industry for the 15th of June 2026. Join us for the Uptime Wind Energy podcast tomorrow.

Siemens Gamesa Warns Europe, Shell Sells Offshore Wind

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 BreakingClimateChange.com