17 March 2015

Australia's 2.4 million small businesses are being encouraged to take practical steps to reduce their energy bills as a way of improving their competitiveness. Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) CEO Oliver Yates said the new Energy Cut initiative provides small businesses with valuable ways to manage energy costs.

"Small businesses are the engine room of the Australian economy, accounting for nearly half of private sector employment," Mr Yates said. "Energy Cut provides these businesses with expert knowledge on improving their energy efficiency, which has the potential to improve productivity and business performance."  

Mr Yates was among guests at today's Canberra launch of the Energy Cut book and website. Energy Cut provides small businesses with a practical 20-step guide to saving energy, such as better managing heating and air conditioning systems, controlling transport costs and securing financing for energy efficiency upgrades.

Energy Cut is a joint initiative of not-for-profit positive-change organisation Do Something and the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA). It was researched by Do Something's Jon Dee, who also co-founded Plant Ark and National Tree Day. Energy Cut received funding from the Australian Government's Department of Industry, which actively supports the small business sector.

Mr Yates said that CEFC finance was already helping small businesses control their energy costs, by installing new efficient equipment and solar PV, such as:

• A plastics manufacturer, with operations in Victoria and Queensland, halved the energy use of its ovens through a technology upgrade 
• A Victorian fresh produce supplier slashed its cool room energy costs by about a quarter through a major refrigeration upgrade
• A New South Wales foam manufacturer more than halved its lighting bills through upgrading with induction lamps.  

"Through our work it's clear that small businesses can benefit through lower energy costs and wider productivity gains, improving their overall competitiveness and positioning them for continued growth," Mr Yates said. "Energy Cut points the way for small businesses to make informed choices in order to save on energy costs."

To learn more about Energy Cut and how to reduce your energy bills, visit http://www.Energy Cut.com.au/