Article from Leaflet Magazine (Nursery & Garden Industry
Queensland), October 2015
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is making it easier
for the nursery and garden industry go even greener by taking
advantage of energy savings that can be gained through equipment
installation and upgrades.
CEFC CEO Oliver Yates said depending on the equipment installed,
businesses making savings on their energy bills could also reap the
benefits of reduced water use, reduced maintenance costs, increased
production capacity and better work environments.
"Investment now in energy efficiency and solar PV can have
long-term benefits for businesses seeking to remain competitive,"
he said.
The CEFC has financed a number of agribusinesses and
producers including:
- A fruit supplier which cut its energy bills by a quarter,
through the installation of solar PV and a new energy efficient
fruit grader.
- Richgro garden products to build a biogas plant that turns
organic waste into gas that is used for all Richgro's onsite energy
needs. The heat from the plant is used in industrial sized
hot-houses growing large blueberries.
- A vegetable grower which is expanding its business by
installing energy efficient lighting, solar and new coolrooms that
double storage capacity.
The CEFC has developed financing programs available
through various banks through designed to suit the needs of
specific businesses. These include:
- The Energy Efficient Loan program through Commonwealth Bank
which provides loans for energy saving technologies including
energy efficient lighting, industrial refrigeration, heat
exchangers, efficient motors pumps and fans, solar systems and
battery storage, compressed air and variable speed drives and
onsite energy generation for projects up to $5 million.
- The Energy Efficient Bonus program through NAB, which offers
loans to agribusiness to upgrade vehicles, improve manufacturing
and equipment, install motors, pumps and other efficient irrigation
equipment, increase solar use, install waste-to-energy
technologies.
- CEFC and Firstmac - business and personal asset finance leases
and loans for energy efficient equipment and low-emissions and
electric vehicles.
For further details about the CEFC please visit www.cefc.com.au.
