Free Business Energy Saving Workshop in Tamworth

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage North East Regional Energy Co-ordinator and RDA Northern Inland Committee Member Lauren Zell, presenting to the Uralla “Taking Control of Your Power – Reduce, Generate, Store” workshop

Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) conducted a NSW Department of Industry funded workshop on cutting energy costs for businesses in Uralla recently. RDANI Senior Project Officer David Thompson said that the attendance of the “Taking Control of Your Power – Reduce, Generate, Store” workshop was so good that he is looking forward to the upcoming Tamworth workshop on Wednesday evening 27 July, 6:00pm-8:30pm at the Tamworth Community Centre in Darling Street.

Mr Thompson presented results of a regional business energy use research project in Uralla. “We looked at forms of energy that a range of businesses around the region are using, ways they could reduce their energy costs and their potential for becoming involved with renewable energy,” he said. “Cutting energy costs can be a very big deal. The business spend on electricity and gas in this region ranges from a couple of hundred dollars to $200,000 a month. One supermarket cut its power bill from about $8,500 to $3,500 just by improving the energy efficiency of their refrigeration, installing LED lighting, a solar system and some inverters. Another business halved their gas cost by investing in bio-gas capture technology.”

Speakers at the Uralla workshop included representatives of the NSW Government and local businesses, sharing their experiences; they were: Ian McIntosh, a business operator who installed solar and energy efficiency measures; Wayne Howard of Neal Howards Electrical, who spoke about things to consider with solar; Geoff Bragg from New England Solar Power, on how to choose the right solar system;

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage North East Regional Energy Co-ordinator Lauren Zell, on State Government assistance for energy efficiency and renewables for business; Nathan Gilbody from Roberts & Morrow, on financial and tax aspects of investing in energy efficiency / renewable energy. Sandra Eady also gave an update on the Uralla Zero Net Energy project.

Mr Thompson believes any size or type of business in Tamworth could benefit from the free workshop. Other speakers will include Brendon North from Paradise Fresh on their energy saving investments; Wayne Howard of Neal Howards Electrical; a West Tamworth Bowling Club case study; Brett Martin from Eco Energy and Solar Solutions on how to choose the right solar system; Nathan Gilbody from Roberts & Morrow on financial and tax aspects of investing in energy efficiency / renewable energy and a NSW Office of Environment and Heritage representative on State Government assistance for energy efficiency and renewables for business

Narrabri-based RDANI Chair Russell Stewart described the project as an important regional development contribution. “It’s all about bringing operating costs down towards increasing the competitiveness and sustainability of our businesses and our economy generally.”

“We have produced a report that will go on our website and this has a number of charts and decision making diagrams to help a business through the steps they can take to reduce their energy costs. It also outlines how to access funding for energy efficiency improvement measures within a business.”