Vic food makers get equipment electrification grants

The Victorian government has announced $10 million in grants to help the state’s food and beverage makers upgrade to electric alternatives for their equipment.

The grant is part of the latest round of the state’s Energy Innovation Fund, aimed at helping one of the most energy intensive sectors in the state.

Victoria’s food and beverage manufacturing industry is valued at around $45 billion and employees more than 76,000 people across the region.

The fund has now made grants up of to $2 million available per business to help them swap their gas-powered equipment and machinery to electric alternatives in an effort to drive down costs and reduce emissions.

“Industrial electrification is a critical step towards cutting down energy bills for Victorian manufacturing and helping to get the next generation of renewable energy projects off the ground,” said Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio.

Victorian Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks adds, “We’re helping manufacturers improve their processes to be more energy efficient, reducing their running costs and future proofing their business.”

Industrial electrification has been a major focus for the state government, in an effort to help halt the state’s ongoing gas demand pressures, rising energy costs, and dwindling gas supplies.

The government adds that grants will also help encourage innovation in technology, with the funds supporting new and cutting-edge technologies to meet the needs of the sector.