Local volunteer organisation bringing the renewable energy transition to small business

100% CLEAN Bellarine is conducting free energy audits in the Ocean Grove Industrial Estate throughout December as part of their “RE-lectrify the Ocean Grove Industrial Estate” project.

The joint project with the City of Greater Geelong focuses on measuring local businesses’ carbon emissions and raising awareness of options and incentives for electrification and renewable energy systems.

The city’s senior sustainability officer Pete Mercouriou said small businesses often got overlooked in the energy transition.

“One of the gaps we hope to fill through this project is gaining a better understanding of what energy-using equipment is out there and its age, and providing recommendations to business owners about small shifts to save on energy.

“The data we will be collecting will also help us quantify the potential reduction in carbon emissions relating to equipment upgrades or additions, such as solar pv and batteries.

“We can use this data to gain insights into how best to target future funding for upgrades or incentives for small businesses and their landlords to invest in electrification and renewable energy solutions.”

Businesses will receive a report outlining the costs, available government grants, and potential return on investment for electrifying their operations and installing renewable energy systems such as solar.

100% Clean Bellarine founder and chair Karen Weaver said the project’s goal was to empower the community.

“By participating in this project, business owners will gain insights into the benefits of electrification and renewable energy for their own purposes.

“They will also contribute data that will help make the case for incentives and innovation focussed on small to medium-sized businesses.”

100% Clean Bellarine was awarded a $50,000 grant for the “RE-lectrify Ocean Grove Industrial Estate” project as part of the City of Greater Geelong Climate Change Partnerships program.

The group will be meeting with business owners in the Ocean Grove Industrial Estate throughout December to raise awareness of the programme and conduct energy audits.

To register your interest in a free energy audit, head to 100cleanbellarine.org