Energy saving program driving down state’s emissions

Victorians are helping to drive down the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by taking advantage of discounted energy-efficiency products available through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.

More than 119,000 Victorian households and businesses took part during 2018, with more than 139,000 installations of energy-efficient products across the state, according to the program’s latest performance report, released today by the Essential Services Commission.

The commission’s director of Victorian Energy Upgrades Jeff Cefai says the report demonstrates the benefits the program is delivering to the state.

“As well as reducing Victoria’s emissions, which have reduced by more than 10 per cent since 2005, the program is helping to reduce energy bills for participating households and businesses and place downward pressure on energy prices for all Victorians,” he said.

“In 2018, people who took part in the program helped us abate 6.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.”

The program helps Victorians access discounted energy-saving products via accredited providers. When these providers complete an eligible energy-efficiency improvement activity, they generate Victorian energy efficiency certificates (each representing one tonne of greenhouse gas abated).

Since starting in 2009 the program has helped to prevent a total of almost 52 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, equal to planting more than three million trees.

The program is estimated to have saved Victorian households and businesses that had participated up until 2017 more than $500 million on energy bills during 2018.

While lighting upgrades accounted for more than 93 per cent of certificates created in 2018, other significant energy-saving activities included the installation of energy-efficient water heaters and refrigerated display cabinets.

The commission also announced a certificate shortfall penalty of $8,117 paid by EnergyAustralia for failing to surrender enough certificates to offset its 2018 liability under the program. Under the program, energy retailers must surrender certificates in proportion to the volume of electricity and gas they sell to Victorian customers.