Cutting manufacturers’ energy bills in focus for Vic gov

Victoria is pushing manufacturers to electrify their operations to help slash energy bills.

The state government is encouraging manufacturers and industrial businesses to utilise the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Large Large Energy User Electrification Support Program to explore options to move from gas to electricity at their operations.

Businesses can undertake feasibility studies for electrification, using up to four different technologies including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), low and medium heat boilers, and industrial process equipment.

This includes assessment options for machinery as varied as fryers, dryers, dehumidifiers, coffee roasters, dye machines, medical processing equipment, and dairy processing machinery.

It came as Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio visited MainStream Aquaculture’s barramundi hatchery site in Werribee, one of 35 projects in the Large Energy User Electrification Support Program that shared in $1.4 million of grants to support exploring options to electrify their facilities.

The program helped MainStream carry out feasibility studies on replacing two legacy 650kw gas boilers with a 550kW water sourced electric heat pump using available geothermal water at the site.

It found this shift could cut annual gas usage by 70% and save them $113,000 annually.

Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio, said it was important manufacturers know their options to help reduce costs.

“We’re helping industry and businesses realise their potential to save thousands of dollars on their operating costs by swapping to more efficient electric alternatives,” D’Ambrosio said.

He VEU program also supports companies to carry out upgrades to their site’s energy efficiency, like installing solar panels and upgrading processes for heat and steam, heating, ventilation and air conditioning refrigeration systems, fans and motors.