Business Recovery Energy Efficiency Fund

The $31 million Business Recovery Energy Efficiency Fund (BREEF) concluded in July 2023, delivering 108 energy management projects in energy efficiency upgrades – reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000 tonnes a year, providing $13 million in financial benefits to business and providing 90 jobs during delivery and another 40 ongoing roles.

This support has provided Victorian businesses the opportunity to maintain their momentum in improving their energy productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic and cutting costs in times of rising energy prices and increased pressure on the grid.

The following reports highlight the works that have taken place:

Objectives

The objectives of the program were to:

• increase energy productivity and reduce energy costs for Victoria’s businesses
• accelerate the uptake of innovative energy efficiency and demand management technologies in the Victorian industrial and commercial sectors and participation in demand-side opportunities
• create jobs through the implementation of equipment, systems and process upgrades that manage energy costs, supporting new sustainable employment.

Capital Works Grant program

The $24 million BREEF Capital Works Grant program is now closed. The program supported the installation of energy efficiency equipment and technologies by businesses to increase their energy savings and reduce their energy bills.

The Capital Works Grant program provided funding for projects that involved the:

• purchase and installation of energy efficiency equipment
• replacement of emissions-intensive equipment with low-emissions alternatives
• purchase of communications and monitoring technology.

Energy Demand Management Grant program

The $7 million BREEF Energy Demand Management Grant program is now closed. The program supported the installation of energy management systems, energy assessments and implementation of demand management solutions for businesses to increase their energy savings and reduce their energy bills.

The Energy Demand Management Grant program provided funding for projects that involve:

• capital investment in technology needed to enable demand response, including communications and control technology
• professional advice to support the uptake of demand-side opportunities
• feasibility studies
• energy audits
• cost-benefit analysis
• implementing steps under/or formal accreditation to the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems framework.

Applications

Applications for the BREEF program closed on 31 January 2021.

Program outcomes

108 BREEF projects had been completed as of May 2023. To see their energy projects delivered, proponents successfully overcame COVID-19-related issues, including equipment shortages, shipping delays, and staff and contractor sickness.

The BREEF team has worked with proponents to evaluate and document Project outcomes, which includes:

• 21 GWh/year in immediate electricity savings, with an additional 14 GWh/year possible with further investment.
• 70 TJ/year in gas immediate gas savings, with an additional 300 TJ/year possible with further investment.
• immediate greenhouse gas emission reductions equivalent to over 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide/year, with an additional 30,000 tonnes/year possible with further investment.
• $13 million/year in financial benefits, with an additional $2.5 million/year possible with further investment.
• Over 90 full time equivalent jobs created during the implementation phase of projects, with the creation of over 40 ongoing full time equivalent roles through business growth and expansion.

Funded projects

The 108 successful projects funded by the BREEF program are in the industry sections below:

Page last updated: 28/07/23