Small and medium food and beverage manufacturers can now apply for up to $25,000 to save money on energy bills, improve energy efficiency and adopt new energy technologies under the new $19.9 million round of the federal government’s Energy Efficient Communities (EEC) program.
The grants can be used to replace existing equipment with more energy efficient models, carry out energy audits or improve energy monitoring and management.
The food and beverage manufacturing industry is the largest manufacturing sector in Australia, contributing around $22.4 billion to the economy. The federal government supports this vital sector of the economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic through programs such as the EEC program.
The EEC program targets food and beverage manufacturers, which include some of the most energy intensive small and medium businesses in Australia, according to assistant minister to minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Tim Wilson.
“It’s because they’re the engine room of the economy employing 1 in 4 manufacturing workers that the Morrison government is backing food and beverage manufacturers to be competitive, through grants to lower their power costs and slash emissions as part of the solution to Australia’s carbon neutral future,” Wilson said.
“We’re supporting fantastic Aussie manufacturers like Bellevue Orchard based in Officer, Victoria. Businesses like this and others around the country will benefit from investing in new energy efficient technologies and by understanding their energy consumption more thoroughly.
“Reducing needless energy consumption also cuts emissions and is at the heart of the Morrison government’s focus on technology, not taxes because it boosts competitiveness, creates new jobs and reduces Australia’s environmental footprint.”
Applications close on 18 February 2022, or earlier if funding is exhausted prior to this.
For more information, grant guidelines and application forms, food and beverage manufacturers can visit www.business.gov.au/EECFB or call 13 28 46.