Local small and medium businesses could benefit from a new $62 million grants program designed to help them become more energy efficient, ease pressure on their energy bills and reduce emissions.

The Albanese Government recently launched Round 1 of the Energy Efficiency Grants for SMEs program, with a $16 million investment support businesses to save on their energy bills. The second round of grants will be delivered next year.

Grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 will be available to SMEs in all industry sectors to enable them to take energy-saving measures such as installing tools to monitor energy use, upgrading, or replacing existing air conditioners with high efficiency units or gas heating boilers with heat pumps. The grants are just another example of the Albanese Government delivering on its commitments and putting downward pressure on the cost of living.

Federal Member for Brand, Madeleine King MP, said the program would help businesses use less energy and improve their competitiveness, while lowering carbon emissions.

“The Government is committed to helping reduce the cost of running a business in Australia through lower energy costs, while taking strong action on climate change,” Minister King said.

The new grants will be allocated to states and territories based on the distributions of small and medium businesses nationally.

Applications for the grants will open on 6 March and close on 19 April 2023.

For more information about the Energy Efficiency Grants for SMEs program and how to apply, visit https://business.gov.au/eegsme.