Australian Government Incentives  

The Australian Government is investing $4 billion in the Energy Efficient Homes Package to improve the energy rating of Australian homes - cutting their energy waste, making them more comfortable and helping homeowners reduce their electricity bills by up to 40 per cent.

The Homeowner Insulation Program is a key part of that package.

It offers ceiling insulation worth up to $1,200 to eligible Australian homeowner-occupiers of currently uninsulated homes.

This allows homeowners  and renters to avoid up front payments.

More information on the Energy Efficient Homes Package is available from:

www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency

T he Homeowner Insulation Program will improve the energy rating of Australian homes, making them more comfortable and helping to reduce their electricity bills.

At the same time it will cut household greenhouse gas emissions for the benefit of the environment.

For most homes, insulation is the simplest, most effective and cheapest way to make a house more energy efficient, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

The benefits of insulation include additional comfort and savings of up to 40 per cent in heating and cooling bills.
Insulation can also reduce condensation on walls and ceilings, leading to improved health outcomes.
The Government estimates that up to 40 per cent of Australian homes are not insulated. The assistance offered is specifically targeted at the installation of ceiling insulation in these homes.

The program will run from 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2011.

Once the scheme starts, the owner-occupiers will gain access to a free call direct booking and installation service.
Eligible applicants will be able to use the service to book a qualified installer. The service will arrange for the installer to visit the home and install ceiling insulation that meets the program requirements. This will allow eligible applicants to avoid up-front payments.

There is also incentives for renters.Renters can apply for assistance up to an amount of $1000, providing they have the approval of their landlord.

All details are available at:

www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency                               

Hot Off The Press

Australia has just announced that it is to build the world's largest solar energy plant.

The station will have an output of 1000 megawatts and cost A$1.4 billion (£692 million).

The plant would have three times the generating capacity of the current biggest solar-powered electricity plant, which is in California, Mr Rudd said during a tour of a power station.

Tender details will be announced later in the year, and successful bidders will be named in the first half of 2010. Mr Rudd said the project was aimed at exploiting the country's ample sunshine, which he called "Australia's biggest natural resource".

It is also aimed at helping the country become a leader in renewable, clean energy, he said.

"Why are we doing this? We are doing it in order to support a clean energy future for Australia, we're doing it to boost economic activity now and we're doing it also to provide jobs and much needed opportunities for business as well," Mr Rudd said.

The project should eventually lead to a network of solar-powered stations across the country, Mr Rudd said, with locations chosen to fit in with the existing electricity grid and ensure good access to sunshine.

"We don't want to be clean energy followers worldwide, we want to be clean energy leaders worldwide."

Mr Rudd also said Australia would become a full member of the International Renewable Energy Agency, which will have its first global meeting in June.