ACT energy efficiency scheme saving households $1,600 a year

Households participating in Canberra’s Territory-wide energy efficiency scheme could save around $1,600 each, new data has found.

The ACT government’s Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS), introduced on 1 January 2013, sets a Territory-wide energy savings target and includes obligations for electricity retailers to meet energy savings targets in households and small-to-medium enterprises.

A review of the scheme tabled on Friday by ACT environment minister Simon Corbell, has found that greenhouse gas reductions as a result of the program between 1 January 2013 and 31 March 2014 were the equivalent of 237,908 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The government-commissioned review, undertaken by consultants Jacobs SKM, also found clear benefits in continuing the EEIS, which reduces the cost of energy to households and small-to-medium enterprises, including the cost associated with meeting the ACT’s Renewable Energy Target. The review also highlighted high satisfaction with the EEIS from participating households.

“More than 24,000 households have participated in the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme to March 2014. As a result, we anticipate that participating households will save about $1,600 over the lifetime of the activities they have implemented,” Corbell said.

“Importantly, about 30 per cent of the savings to participating households relate to low-income households, and the savings significantly exceed expected pass-through costs of about $30 per year over the initial three-year life of the EEIS.”

The ACT Government will now do further work to determine the future of the program after its legislated closing date of December 2015.