Powering the future: How we help businesses secure electrification funding

Published: February 12, 2025.

Powering the future: How we help businesses secure electrification funding

The Large Energy User (LEU) Electrification Support Program is a Victorian Government initiative designed to help large energy users reduce their reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning to electricity. The program funded feasibility studies to identify ways for businesses to cut emissions, lower energy costs, and increase energy efficiency through electrification. It supported organizations across Agriculture, Chemicals, Food & Beverage, Animal Processing, and Manufacturing sectors in developing evidence-based transition pathways.

Switching from gas to electricity is a big move - but the right funding can make it easier. At Northmore Gordon, we identify funding opportunities, navigate the application process, and help businesses unlock financial support to fast-track their energy transition.

Ready to make the switch?

One of the key programs we recently assisted clients with was the Large Energy User (LEU) Electrification Support Program, a Victorian Government initiative designed to help large energy users reduce their reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning to electricity. The program funded feasibility studies to identify ways for businesses to cut emissions, lower energy costs, and increase energy efficiency through electrification.

The results speak for themselves:

  • 40% of all successful facilities were Northmore Gordon clients
  • Over $600,000 in funding was secured for our clients
  • Sectors represented: Agriculture, Chemicals, Food & Beverage, Animal Processing, and Manufacturing
  • Investigated technologies include hot water & steam heat pumps, electric & electrode boilers, thermal electric storage, and grid connection constraints, among others.

Funding programs are a vital support for businesses undertaking electrification projects, with additional grants available for:

  • Solar installations to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
  • Upgrading refrigeration, boilers, and hot water systems to energy-efficient alternatives
  • Electrification of industrial processes to cut costs and emissions
  • Battery storage solutions to enhance energy reliability

Beyond funding for feasibility studies, businesses that participated in the LEU Program can use the information gained from the studies as a foundation to undertake Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) project-based activities and access additional VEU incentives, for eligible projects. These incentives provide further financial support for businesses investing in energy-efficient upgrades, maximising the return on electrification investments.

At Northmore Gordon, we're not just about securing funding, we're also experts in environmental certificates, including Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs), which offer additional savings on energy efficiency projects, and we have an experienced team who can help clients manage the implementation of projects through to completion.

Looking ahead, we're working closely with clients to build on key learnings from the LEU Program and continue their electrification journey. New funding opportunities are always emerging, and we're committed to helping businesses secure financial support for their next project. Click to view our grants here.

If you're considering an electrification project, don't miss out. Talk to Northmore Gordon today - we'll help you find the right opportunities and maximise your chances of success.

To find out more contact p.woodward@northmoregordon.com

Scheme and certificate context

Before using a certificate or grant figure, confirm the current scheme method, eligible activity, effective date, evidence requirements, price date and registration or application process.

What is the Large Energy User (LEU) Electrification Support Program and who was it designed for?

The Large Energy User (LEU) Electrification Support Program is a Victorian Government initiative designed to help large energy users reduce their reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning to electricity. The program funded feasibility studies to identify ways for businesses to cut emissions, lower energy costs, and increase energy efficiency through electrification. It supported organizations across Agriculture, Chemicals, Food & Beverage, Animal Processing, and Manufacturing sectors in developing evidence-based transition pathways.

How successful were Northmore Gordon's clients in securing LEU Program funding?

Our clients achieved notable success in the LEU Program, with 40% of all successful facilities under the program being Northmore Gordon clients. These clients collectively secured over $600,000 in funding for feasibility studies. This track record demonstrates our capability in identifying eligible opportunities, preparing compelling cases, and navigating the application process effectively for large energy users seeking to transition away from fossil fuels.

What heating and cooling technologies were investigated in LEU Program feasibility studies?

The LEU Program feasibility studies investigated multiple electrification technologies including hot water and steam heat pumps, electric and electrode boilers, and thermal electric storage systems. Studies also examined grid connection constraints relevant to each facility, ensuring that proposed electrification solutions were technically feasible and economically viable. These investigations provided businesses with evidence-based assessments of technology options suited to their specific operating conditions and heat requirements.

How can businesses build on LEU Program feasibility studies to access additional incentives?

Businesses that completed LEU Program feasibility studies can leverage those findings to pursue Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) project-based activities. VEU provides rebates and discounts on energy-saving products through environmental certificates, with Northmore Gordon offering expertise in Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs). This pathway allows facilities to move from feasibility assessment to implementation while accessing additional financial support, maximizing the return on electrification investments and spreading costs across multiple funding mechanisms.

What is Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) and how does it complement electrification projects?

Victorian Energy Upgrades is a Victorian government energy efficiency program that provides rebates and discounts on energy-saving products through environmental certificates. For electrification projects, VEU offers a pathway to access additional funding after feasibility studies have identified viable opportunities. The scheme supports eligible heating, cooling, and renewable energy improvements through accredited providers, allowing businesses to reduce their upfront capital requirements and improve project economics once technical feasibility has been established through programs like LEU.

What electrification-related grants are available beyond the LEU Program?

Beyond the LEU Program, businesses can access grants for solar installations to reduce fossil fuel reliance, upgrading refrigeration systems to energy-efficient alternatives, replacing or electrifying boilers and hot water systems, and implementing battery storage solutions to enhance energy reliability. These grants support different aspects of electrification and energy efficiency, allowing businesses to address multiple systems and technologies as part of a comprehensive decarbonization strategy. We can help identify which grants align with each facility's circumstances and priorities.

How does Northmore Gordon support businesses through electrification project implementation?

Beyond securing funding, we provide comprehensive support through electrification project implementation, including expertise in environmental certificates like Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs). Our experienced team helps clients manage projects from conception through completion, addressing technical assessment, commercial decisions, funding pathways, and ongoing performance verification. This end-to-end approach ensures that feasibility study recommendations translate into successful operational outcomes while capturing available incentives and maintaining visibility of energy and emissions performance.

Why is early feasibility assessment important for electrification funding and implementation?

Early feasibility assessment establishes whether electrification technologies are technically and economically viable for a specific facility before significant capital commitment. It identifies equipment requirements, electrical constraints, heat-recovery opportunities, and comparable economic outcomes, providing evidence needed for funding applications and investment decisions. Programs like LEU support this assessment phase because it clarifies the pathway and reduces risk, helping management understand the decision and enabling better funding prioritization. Our involvement in feasibility studies ensures that assessments address both scheme eligibility and operational reality.

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