Smart Energy Programs

Australian Capital Territory

There are a number of concurrently running smart energy programs in the ACT.

For more information on these programs and more, head to: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/energy/smarter-use-of-energy/energy-efficiency-improvement-scheme  

Introduced in 2013, the EEIS requires electricity retailers to contribute to energy savings in small businesses and households in the ACT. This includes the installation of LED lighting, standby power controllers, new insulation, more effective heating and cooling options, draught sealers and energy efficient appliances.

 

The program has seen over 1.3 million energy saving products installed in the ACT and has benefitted over 19,000 lower income households.
 

In 2021 the scheme was extended for another decade.

 

More information: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/energy/smarter-use-of-energy/energy-efficiency-improvement-scheme

In 2020 the ACT achieved its target of 100% renewable energy.  The nation’s capital has been able to achieve this by offsetting every watt of power consumed through renewable investments around Australia.

More information: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/energy/cleaner-energy

In 2021 the first public hydrogen refueling station in the country opened in the ACT.

The refueling station will support hydrogen vehicles and is a major step for the ACT and for the future of electric vehicles in Australia.

More information: https://www.act.gov.au/our-canberra/latest-news/2021/march/australias-first-public-hydrogen-refuelling-station-opens-in-canberra

Established in 2016, the $25 million Next Gen program was established to support the rollout of solar energy storage in the ACT, maintain the ACT’s leadership position in Australian renewables, and boost the ACT energy storage industry, research, and training sectors.

 

More information: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/energy/cleaner-energy/next-generation-renewables

 

The sustainable households scheme gives eligible Canberran households interest-free loans between $2,000-$15,000 to be used on products and services such as: 

  • Rooftop solar photovoltaic systems
  • Household battery storage systems
  • Electric heating and cooling systems
  • Hot Water Heat Pumps (HWHP)
  • Electric stove tops
  • Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
  • Installation costs for these products.
  • New and used electric vehicles (under difference eligibility)

 

More information: https://www.actsmart.act.gov.au/what-can-i-do/homes/sustainable-household-scheme

New South Wales

To keep up to date on these programs and more in NSW, visit: https://energy.nsw.gov.au/renewables/clean-energy-initiatives

The Energy Savings Scheme (EES) reduces energy consumption in NSW by creating financial incentives to invest in energy savings activities.

More information: https://www.ess.nsw.gov.au/Home

This program provides funding to regional NSW communities for new renewable energy projects to improve energy reliability and help save money on their electricity bills. There are currently seven projects currently underway across NSW.

More information: https://energy.nsw.gov.au/renewables/clean-energy-initiatives/regional-community-energy

This initiative provides free solar systems to low income households to help them slash their electricity bills by up to $600 a year.

More information: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/households/solar-and-battery-power/solar-low-income-households

The emerging energy program is a $75 million dollar grant funding program which assists the development of innovative, large-scale electricity and storage projects in NSW. The program aims at reducing the barriers to invest in emerging renewable technologies. It strives to support affordable, reliable and clean energy across the State.

More information: https://energy.nsw.gov.au/renewables/clean-energy-initiatives/emerging-energy-program

Northern Territory

The Home and Business Battery Scheme provides a $6,000 grant to homeowners, businesses, not-for-profit and community organisations for the purchase and installation of solar PV systems with an eligible battery and inverter.

More information: https://businessnt.smartygrants.com.au/homeandbusinessbatteryscheme

This $4 million dollar project allows residents in the Northern Territory to access energy-efficient initiatives for their homes. The grants are provided on a 50% co-contribution basis for up to $1000, to help owners of residential or investment properties apply energy-efficiency measures to their homes.

More information: https://www.energy.gov.au/news-media/news/smart-energy-grants-nt-residents

Queensland

To help Queensland households improve their energy efficiency, $20 million has been committed for rebates on approved energy efficient appliances under the Affordable Energy Plan.

More information: https://www.epw.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/affordable-energy-plan

An initiative under the Affordable Energy Plan, the Business Energy Savers Program is a $20 project which provides free energy audits for businesses covering a broad range of industry sectors that are vital to our economy. Also through providing advice to businesses on how they can reduce their electricity costs by using electricity more efficiently.

More information: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/energy-business/energy-saving/business-energy-savers

The Palaszczuk government announced in June 2021 that $2 billion will be invested into renewable energy and hydrogen jobs as a part of Queensland’s COVID-19 recovery plan. The fund will not only create more jobs for Queenslanders, but will also provide cleaner and cheaper energy for the state.

More information: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92322

South Australia

The Home Battery Scheme gives all South Australian connected to the grid access to grants and low-interest loans provided by the CEFC to purchase solar and storage for their homes.

More information: https://homebatteryscheme.sa.gov.au/about-the-scheme

The Retailer Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) is a South Australian Government energy efficiency scheme that provides incentives for South Australian households and businesses to save energy. It does this through establishing energy efficiency and audit targets to be met by electricity and gas retailers.

More information: https://www.escosa.sa.gov.au/industry/rees/overview

Tasmania

The Tasmanian Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme offers up to $10,000 in the form of zero interest loans to small businesses in Tasmania to purchase energy efficient products. The scheme ended in late 2019.

More information: https://www.auroraenergy.com.au/about/community/teels

Victoria

The Solar Homes Program solar PV rebate assists eligible Victorian households and rental property owners to install solar panels. The scheme provides an up to 50% of the cost of pv panel installation cost, and up to $1,400 on the pv system itself.

More information: https://www.energy.gov.au/rebates/solar-pv-panel-rebate

The government is also providing $1,000 rebates for 6,000 households for solar hot water in 2018-19 in the bid to encourage replacement of hot water systems with solar hot water. Households will shave between $140-$400 off their annual bill by replacing their current water heater with a solar option.

More information: https://www.energy.gov.auhttps://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-hot-water-rebate/rebates/solar-pv-panel-rebate

Solar battery rebates are available for all Victorians, (subject to eligibility) to install a solar battery to their home. The rebate provides a discount of up to $4,174 on the battery system until the end of June 2021.

More information: https://www.energy.gov.auhttps://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-hot-water-rebate/rebates/solar-pv-panel-rebate

The Victorian Energy Upgrades program provides incentives for Victorian households and organisations to make energy efficiency improvements that save money on their bills and reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions. Households can save up to $110 on average whereas small businesses can save up to $3,700.

More information: https://www.energy.gov.auhttps://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-hot-water-rebate/rebates/solar-pv-panel-rebate

Western Australia

This $13 million dollar scheme will provide services and products such as household energy assessments, tailored education, LED light bulb replacements and other low-cost energy efficient items..

More information: https://www.epw.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/affordable-energy-plan

The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme creates a financial incentive for owners to install eligible small-scale installations such as solar water heaters, air source heat pumps, solar panel systems, small-scale wind systems, or small-scale hydro systems.

More information: http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/RET/About-the-Renewable-Energy-Target/How-the-scheme-works/Small-scale-Renewable-Energy-Scheme

  • The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) offers eligible customers a time of export payment for electricity they export to the grid, including from solar PV systems, batteries and electric vehicles.
  • DEBS is replacing the previous energy buyback scheme. It recognises the way rooftop solar PV, batteries and electric vehicles are transforming Western Australia’s electricity system. 
  • DEBS extends buyback payments to include exports from batteries and export-capable electric vehicles. 
  • DEBS is also a “time of export” payment, meaning it offers a higher buyback rate at peak times (between 3pm and 9pm) when electricity is worth more. 

More information: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/energy-policy-wa/household-renewable-energy-overview

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