The first of 24 grants from round one of Victoria’s $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund program was announced by Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio yesterday.
Launched in December last year, the Fund is designed to support commercially ready projects in the state with the potential to create long-term, sustainable employment and support innovation in new energy technologies.
Minister D’Ambrosio said the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCA) will receive $330,000 in funding to support its work in providing energy efficient housing in Victoria.
SECCA is a network of eight councils that collaborates with government to deliver regional climate change projects designed to benefit more than 1 million residents in the south east of Melbourne.
The project to win the funding involves assisting Victorian homeowners in working with their builder to construct homes maximising heating and cooling, while improving energy efficiency.
“The South Eastern Councils Climate Change Alliance project provides expert advice on how to take advantage of new energy opportunities which could result in a potential reduction of up to 60% of household energy use,” said Minister D’Ambrosio.
“We’re proud to be rebuilding much needed confidence in the renewable energy industry following the neglect of Liberal governments at both state and federal levels over recent years.”
Up to $5 million was available for round one and applications closed in March. The second and third grant rounds are expected to open late 2016 and 2017. The New Energy Jobs Fund is part of the $200 million Future Industries Fund. Further details can be viewed here.
In June, the Victorian Government set a 25% renewable energy target, to be achieved by 2020. By 2025, that will rise to 40 per cent. It’s a big increase in just a few years – currently, around 14 per cent of Victoria’s electricity comes from renewable sources. However, in 2009, the figure was just 4.8%
The Government anticipates up to 5400 megawatts of new large-scale renewable energy capacity will be built in Victoria by 2025; representing an estimated $2.5 billion of investment in the state.
Victorians have also embraced small-scale solar. According to data from the Clean Energy Regulator, there are approximately 287,000 rooftop solar power systems installed in Victoria.
