Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury today announced a new lighting upgrade scheme to help ACT businesses reduce their energy consumption and save money on electricity bills.
“These new lighting upgrades for eligible businesses will replace inefficient light globes with more efficient LED lighting. This initiative will allow businesses reduce their energy consumption, reduce lighting energy bills by up to 60% and improve the quality and lifespan of their light globes,” said Minister Rattenbury.
“This is an expansion of a program which has already installed over one million energy efficient items into more than 75,000 Canberra homes. Canberran households and businesses have shown their commitment to do their bit to tackle global warming, and this initiative is another way for businesses to save money and reduce emissions.”
“These lighting upgrades are expected to save approximately 40,000 tonnes of polluting emissions in 2017.
“Given that lighting makes up about half the total electricity bill for general retail outlets, a quarter of the total bill for hairdressers and 14% for restaurants, the cost savings generated by more efficient energy use can be substantial.
“The program is part of the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS) which is part of the ACT Government’s commitment to transition the ACT to zero net emissions by 2050 at the latest. The EEIS obligates electricity retailers to achieve energy savings in households and small-to-medium businesses.
“The ACT Government is committed to powering 100% of our electricity with clean, renewable energy by 2020. The EEIS is just one initiative helping Canberrans to save energy and take us closer to this goal.
“As the program is subsidised under the EEIS it may even cost some businesses nothing,”
“In light of the Federal Government’s recent comments about their wavering commitment to our Renewable Energy Target, and its reckless obsession with coal, it’s more important than ever that the ACT continues to show leadership in the transition to our clean energy future,” said Minister Rattenbury.
The first energy retailer to start offering lighting upgrades for businesses is ActewAGL through its ‘Big Business Light Switch’ Campaign. Other retailers are expected to follow in the coming months.
Businesses can estimate savings using the Actsmart Business Lighting Efficiency Webtool, at http://actsmart-lightingwebtool.com.au/.
There are a number of other programs and services available to Canberra businesses and householders to help reduce emissions and save money on electricity bills. To find out more, visit actsmart.act.gov.au
For enquiries about ActewAGL’s Big Business Light Switch Program call 1300 789 002 or book through www.actewagl.com.au/business-lighting.
For more information about the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme, including eligibility, visit www.environment.act.gov.au.
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