Assistance to Help Businesses Reduce Energy Costs

In late 2016, we conducted an energy assessment of businesses in the Northern Inland region. This study highlighted that although energy costs are not a large proportion of total business operating costs, making up 1-15% of operating costs, energy costs were still substantial in many businesses. In 2016, businesses in the region spent over $410 Million annually on energy alone. Clearly reducing energy costs is a step towards improving business competitiveness and regional economic development. The report provides a number of has a number of charts and decision-making diagrams to help a business through the steps they can take to reduce their energy costs.

The NSW Government recently announced funding to help manufacturing businesses (including cotton gins) to reduce their gas and electricity consumption. This funding can provide up to $120,000 of matched funding per site to implement projects that will help reduce their consumption through:

• upgrading energy monitoring systems
• Replacing or retrofitting old, inefficient equipment
• Installing new energy efficient equipment
• Improving manufacturing processes

Applications close at 5pm (AEST) on the 30th of June 2019 and further information on the Manufacturing Efficiency Funding webpage.

There are also a range of other energy efficiency programs available through the NSW Government, including online courses, seminars and face-to-face training, and other discounts and subsidies.