THE HON JULIE COLLINS MP
MINISTER FOR SMALL BUSINESS
SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY
THE HON STEPHEN JONES MP
ASSISTANT TREASURER
MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
MEMBER FOR WHITLAM
Six small businesses in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands, including Albion Park RSL Memorial Club and Mittagong Motel will be awarded a total of $150,000 in grants as part of the first round of the Albanese Government’s Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises program.
The program, which awards grants of up to $25,000, aims to put downward pressure on power bills and lower emissions by helping small and medium-sized businesses invest in energy upgrades.
Across Australia, nearly 700 small and medium-sized businesses have successfully been awarded funding to invest in energy performance technology to lower running costs, energy use, and their carbon footprint. Under Round 1, $16 million is being invested for projects which include installing energy monitoring systems, replacing conventional air conditioning units with high-efficiency models, and transitioning heating boilers to heat pumps.
The Albanese Government is committed to delivering cheaper, cleaner energy to more Australian families and businesses. This financial year up to 3.8 million businesses are eligible for the Small Business Energy Incentive. Later this year, the National Energy Performance Strategy will also provide a national plan to accelerate demand side action including energy efficiency and electrification.
The second round of grants will open in early 2024, with a total of $62.6 million for the Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises program.
For more information, visit https://business.gov.au/eegsme.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Small Business, Julie Collins:
“We know energy costs are a significant part of many small business budgets, so we know this practical support will be welcomed.
“I’m proud to be part of a government that backs small business, and these grants are just one part of our broad agenda. They underline the Albanese Government’s continuing commitment to ease cost pressures for Australian small businesses doing it tough, by putting downward pressure on their energy bills.”
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Jenny McAllister:
"We’re determined to make every watt count, and these grants offer vital support to our SMEs, helping them lower energy use while reducing their carbon footprint.
“This is just another example of the Albanese Government helping small businesses, councils, and homes access technology that will put downward pressure on their energy bills.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Financial Services and Member for Whitlam, Stephen Jones:
“I am thrilled to see local small and medium-sized businesses in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands being provided support through these grants to become energy efficient and ease pressure on their energy bills.”
“This support will help alleviate some of the cost pressures faced by small businesses.”
