SA small and medium-sized businesses offered a new round of energy grants

The SA Government has announced a $20 million round of grants to help South Australian businesses reduce their energy costs.

The Powering Business Grants are being funded under the government’s $154 million Business Growth Fund. Applications will open later this month for eligible businesses and not-for-profits with up to 199 employees. They will be able to apply for grants of up to $75,000 to invest in energy-efficient equipment to help reduce their power bills; the government will match the business dollar for dollar to assist them to purchase equipment such as solar panels, batteries and more.

The previous round saw more than 1000 businesses across South Australia share in $23.6 million worth of grants. This is reducing their power bills by approximately $24 million a year, as calculated by the businesses at the time of their application. The top industries to receive grants were retail, hospitality and accommodation, and manufacturing; the most popular equipment installed was battery and solar systems, followed by more energy-efficient appliances and motors, pumps and compressors.

“For the first time, we are extending these grants to medium-sized businesses,” said Andrea Michaels, SA Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs. “We know that power bills are a particular pain point for businesses and so this grant is providing real relief where it is needed, with businesses in the last round saving thousands of dollars each quarter on their power bill.”

For more information about the Powering Business Grants and to register your interest, click here.

Image credit: iStock.com/Olivier Le Moal