Cutting the cost of energy

Archive context: Northmore Gordon published this analysis on 17 October 2018. Its totals and forecasts describe that period and should not be used as current scheme statistics.

Hamish McGovern reviewed energy savings schemes in Victoria, NSW, South Australia and the ACT. The article reported more than 2.3 million participating households and businesses, around five million upgrades and approximately five million MWh in annual electricity savings since the programs began in 2009. It also cited roughly $1 billion in annual customer bill savings and 4,000 supported jobs. These are historical aggregated estimates from the original article.

How the schemes support projects

Eligible work can include lighting, heating and cooling, controls and appliance upgrades. The article distinguished deemed savings for prescribed upgrades from project-based methods that require measurement and verification. Which activities qualify, and how savings are calculated, depends on the current rules of each jurisdiction.

Project examples reported at the time

• A Hills Shire Council car-park ventilation control project was estimated to save 77 MWh per year and receive an $8,000 upfront incentive.

• A Sydney street-lighting project replacing 750 lamps was reported to cut street-light electricity use by 80% and save $66,000 upfront.

• A Reader's Digest building HVAC upgrade was projected to save 237 MWh annually, with a $41,000 upfront incentive.

These results are individual examples, not promises of savings. Northmore Gordon can assess current project eligibility and evidence requirements.

Source: Northmore Gordon, 17 October 2018.