The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is offering grant funding to implement gas efficiency projects for businesses using more than 1000GJ (about $30,000) of gas per year. Funding is offered in two stages:
Stage 1: installation of gas measurement and monitoring systems including gas and steam sub-meters and data-logging systems.
Stage 2: implementation of gas efficiency improvement projects; for example the recovery of heat from refrigeration or compressors to offset gas use.
For each eligible site, OEH will provide $1 for every $1 you spend on implementation costs at a maximum of $15,000 for Stage 1 and $25,000 for Stage 2.
Round 1 applications are open from October 2015, and close in 22 January 2016. Letters of agreement will be sent out in April 2016, and the project must be implemented within 6 months of receiving the letter.
This program is timely given that OEH has expanded the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) to incorporate gas efficiency projects. Under the Energy Savings Scheme, eligible projects can have certificates generated by accredited certificate providers (ACPs), based on the number of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent abated. (Audits for ACPs and Liable Entities can be done through Ndevr Environmental as we are a member of the Audit Services Panel)
For more information on these and other programs offered by OEH, visit http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/business/programs-finance.htm