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Commonwealth Government opens the Community Organisations Stream of the Energy Efficient Communities Program 02 April 2020

The Energy Efficiency Council welcomes the Commonwealth Government's announcement today that the Energy Efficiency Communities Program is now open for community organisations, and will soon be open for small and high-energy using businesses.

The Energy Efficient Communities Program will deliver $40 million in grants for businesses and community groups to invest in energy-saving and emissions-reducing upgrades and assessments. Through two separate streams, community organisations and businesses can apply for grants.

 

Community Organisations

The Community Organisations Stream is now open. A maximum of two projects will be funded per electorate and grants range from $1000 to $12,500. Funding may be used for new water heating equipment, LED lighting and controls, high efficiency split system air conditioning units, and energy audits. Only projects in the Community Organisations Stream are eligible to use funding to install solar PV and battery systems.

Incorporated, not-for-profit community groups, country fire authorities and rural fire services are eligible to apply.

 

Business Stream

The Business Stream is expected to open in mid-2020. Small businesses can apply for a grant of up to $20,000 with no co-contribution required; high energy-using businesses can apply for a grant of up to $25,000 with matching co-contribution required. Funding is expected to be eligible to be used for energy efficient equipment upgrades, investment in monitoring systems, and energy audits.

Small businesses turning over less than $10 million per year and high energy-using businesses consuming over 0.05 petajoules per year may apply. 

 

More information is available at business.gov.au.