Victorian Government energy grants for regional businesses and farms
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1. Regional Electrical Access Program
New $10 million Victorian Government program aims to help regional businesses expand by improving electricity supply.
The Regional Electrical Access Program (REAP) provides grants for up to 50% of the cost of a new electrical connection or a power upgrade to a regional business.
The eligibility criteria include: Only for regional Victoria; Must be for a business, and must support new or existing investment and or jobs, i.e. economic output; Must provide community benefit, i.e. the upgrade must provide additional power capacity for neighbouring areas that is likely to be utilised in the next few years.
The Victorian Government will provide its funding contribution for a project once it is completed.
2. On Farm Energy Grants
The new four-year $4 million On Farm Energy Grants program aims to support Victoria’s agricultural industries by assisting farmers with power infrastructure upgrades to secure a more reliable energy supply.
The program has a focus on the upgrade of electricity distribution supplies, particularly SWER lines (Single Wire Earth Return). A similar program, delivered under the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund in 2002 for the dairy industry, was very successful.
This new program is being delivered in partnership with electricity distributors Powercor and SP AusNet.
Grants are for up to 50% of the cost of the upgrade.
For more information about either program contact: Craig Eyes at Regional Development Victoria on (03) 9651 8121 or powerupgrade@rdv.vic.gov.au