A new $10 million funding package has been announced by the Victorian government to help food, dairy and beverage manufacturers switch to electric alternatives.
This funding is part of a $15 million program aimed at reducing gas pollution on farms and in food manufacturing facilities. Based on a successful project in Aotearoa New Zealand with the Fonterra dairy co-operative, the initiative enables food and beverage manufacturers to replace gas boilers and heating systems with electric alternatives.
The program aims to demonstrate that electrification can reduce emissions while saving manufacturers thousands in gas costs. Implementing clean energy practices in gas-reliant sectors is expected to propel the broader food and beverage manufacturing sector towards improved efficiency.
“The Greens are proud to have negotiated this innovative $15 million climate project to help farms and food manufacturers get off gas and go all-electric, saving huge amounts of emissions and saving thousands off farmers’ energy bills,” said leader of the Victorian Greens Ellen Sandell.
Drawing on New Zealand’s Rewiring Aotearoa initiative, the remaining $5 million will support farmers to transition to electric heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage.
The funding is part of a broader $40 million climate and electrification package secured in the recent state budget and tax bills. It is expected to assist five to ten food manufacturing sites and 20 farms in transitioning to electric alternatives.