How we helped

Since early 2018, the Plan has supported approximately over 1,300 farm businesses with free on-farm energy assessments and delivered over 650 grants to Victorian farmers.

The free on-farm energy assessments helped farm businesses understand their energy consumption profile. Assessments were completed by a registered expert who made recommendations tailored to the type and size of individual farms. The assessments included analysis of on-farm energy use (electricity, gas and diesel) and recommendations to improve energy efficiency, productivity and on-farm energy generation. The majority of assessments were undertaken on dairy and horticulture farms.

Examples of equipment recommended under the AEIP assessments

Analysis of key opportunity segments:

• Solar Photo Voltaic
• Variable speed drives
• Upgrade to more efficient equipment (newer like for like)
• Heat Recovery
• Timers/Operational controls
• Insulation
• System reconfiguration
• Lighting upgrades
• Other renewable energies (Renewables, non-solar).

Grants

Grants were available to support initiatives identified through the assessment process that improved on-farm energy efficiency and productivity. Recipients were required to contribute at least 50 per cent of the total cash costs of the project.

Ongoing actions under the plan

Farmers have also been able to attend farm energy demonstrations at the Agriculture Victoria SmartFarm at Ellinbank, and are accessing webinars and research updates via the Energy Smart Farming portal .

This investment has also guided employers to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.