Low Income Energy Efficiency Program
Up to $10M for organisations to demonstrate how low income households to become more energy efficient.
About
The $100 million Low Income Energy Efficiency Program will work with groups of local and state governments, community welfare organisations and energy companies to demonstrate and evaluate a number of different approaches to help low income households to become more energy efficient. The Low Income Energy Efficiency Program will collect and analyse data and information to assist future energy efficiency policy and program approaches.
As well, the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program will:
- help low income households to use sustainable energy efficiency practices to manage energy costs
- build the knowledge and capacity of member organisations, encouraging long term energy efficiency among their customers or clients
- build the capacity of the energy services sector and support competitive Australian energy efficiency manufacturers.
The Low Income Energy Efficiency Program demonstration projects will explore new, creative or innovative ways to:
- work with low income households to explore options for smarter energy use
- implement proven energy efficiency technologies, along with assessing costs and benefits
- collect and analyse data while establishing effective administration and communication tools.
Low Income Households
The definition of ‘low income households’ for this program is a general term and applicants will be required to describe how they will identify and enlist low income households into their trial. Applicants will also need to indicate the particular type of low income household group being targeted as part of their trial.
As a guide, one or more of the following indicators should be used to define low income households for the purpose of the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program:
- Household income is in the bottom two quintiles of the Australian population
- Householder is in receipt of an Australian Government concession card
- Household income is mainly derived from income support payments
- Householder is a member of a particularly disadvantaged target group e.g. Indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse, new arrivals, person with a disability
- High energy needs due to either individual or locational factors e.g. disability or climate (high energy usage relative to household size and composition)
Consortium arrangements
Those interested in applying for Low Income Energy Efficiency Program funding must be part of a consortium to submit a proposal under the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program.
The formation of a consortium will assist interested parties to interact effectively with each other and submit a coordinated Low Income Energy Efficiency Program application that provides a targeted approach to meet the programs objectives.
It will be important to ensure that the consortium possesses all the relevant skills and attributes required to deliver a successful project. Consortium members should carefully consider the most appropriate management and governance arrangements to suit their membership and the nature of their project. Other than the Department’s requirement to contract with a single entity to ensure central management of each project, there is no blueprint for the membership or governance of a consortium. The structure of the entity that deals with the Department could involve a single entity leading the consortium in effect as a prime contractor or the formation of a separate incorporated body.
A consortium may subcontract the performance of part of the project to third parties noting that the costs of doing so must qualify as eligible expenditure if the consortium wishes to include these expenses in the project budget. In undertaking a project, the entity that enters into the funding agreement will be responsible for the performance of the entire project, notwithstanding that implementation of parts of the project may be undertaken by consortium members or subcontractors.
Funding
Funding for Low Income Energy Efficiency Program projects will commence from 2012 and all successful projects will need to be completed by June 2016. Applicants may apply for Low Income Energy Efficiency Program funding of up to $10 million (excluding G ST) for eligible project costs
Eligible Expenditure
Low Income Energy Efficiency Program expenditure must be directly attributable to the project and, with a few exceptions outlined below, only expenditure incurred on agreed project activities within the agreed project period (set out in the funding agreement) will be eligible expenditure. It is expected that eligible Low Income Energy Efficiency Program expenditure include:
- salaries and on-costs
- products or equipment
- information technology costs
- travel
- professional, consultant or subcontractor services
- administration of the project.
The following items of expenditure cannot be included in the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program project budget.
- Cost of preparing the Expression of Interest or Application or any project variations.
- Costs associated with negotiations with consortium members and/or contractors.
- Day-to-day operating costs of the organisation not related to the project, including insurance, office accommodation, travel costs, telephone and internet costs, general communications, accommodation, office computing facilities, printing and stationery, postage, legal and accounting fees, bank charges and overheads (that is, expenses that are incurred whether or not the project proceeds).
- Purchase and installation of renewable energy generation systems, such as solar photovoltaic, micro‑hydro, wind turbine and biomass generation systems (solar hot water is eligible as it is not classed as a generation system).
- Activities that improve household transport fuel efficiency.
- Activities that are inconsistent with key Commonwealth, state or territory strategies and frameworks.
- Activities undertaken by energy companies that are required in order to comply with state or territory government regulation relating to energy efficiency white certificate schemes.
- Upgrades/retrofits to government-owned public housing.
Expert Assistance
We have a 100% success rate with large grants to assist with climate change adaption. We can provide assistance with all aspects of this grant. Contact us on 03 9005 6789 or email to see how we can assist you further.
Expressions of Interest for the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program close at 5pm (AEDST) on 16 March 2012
