Agriculture Energy Investment Plan

Stage 1: Free On-Farm Energy Assessments now open

Do your annual farm energy bills exceed $8,000?

Agriculture Victoria's free on-farm energy assessments might be able to help.

The on-farm assessments are available to eligible primary producers until March 2020, or until available funding is exhausted (whichever comes first).

Apply early so you don't miss out.

An on-farm energy assessment will be a prerequisite for the upcoming agriculture energy investment grants.

Independent on-farm energy assessments are available free of charge to eligible primary producers. The on-farm energy assessments will analyse on-farm energy use (electricity, gas and diesel for generators) and identify opportunities to make energy savings, improve output volumes per energy unit, and convert to renewable energy sources. The assessments will make recommendations tailored to the type and size of farms.

The on-farm energy assessments will be conducted by registered independent experts to the national standard.

Type One and Type Two energy assessments will be available depending on on-farm energy expenditure.

On-farm energy assessments form part of the Victorian Government's $30 million Agriculture Energy Investment Plan and will identify what improvements need to be made on-farm.

Assessments will inform the grants process which aims to support farmers' investment in energy efficiencies or own-generation capacity.

The type of assessment you receive will depend on your farm’s total annual energy expenditure. Farms where the annual energy expenditure is between $8,000-24,999 are eligible to apply for Type One energy assessments. Farms where the annual energy expenditure if greater than $25,000 and joint applications (groups of nearby farmers) are eligible to apply for Type Two energy assessments.

Energy Assessment (Type One) – will provide an overview of energy performance. It will identify no-cost and low-cost opportunities for improvements. Type one assessments will prioritise actions and upgrades based on return on investment.

Energy Assessment (Type Two) – will provide a detailed assessment involving a comprehensive review and analysis of equipment, systems, and operational characteristics of the whole farm. Type two assessments include a financial analysis of recommended energy performance improvements including own-generation opportunities. Assessments will calculate energy savings and provide costs and benefits and prioritise actions and upgrades.

Further information can be found at: http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/agriculture-energy-investment-plan

For further eligibility criteria, and to apply: http://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/On-Farm-Energy-Assessment