The Marshall Government is investing $60 million over the next two years to improve energy efficiency in government buildings, creating hundreds of jobs and cutting the taxpayers' electricity bill.
"The $60 million commitment is the largest per capita stimulus investment of any Australian Government in improving the energy efficiency of public buildings," said Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan.
"Simple measures like better insulation, shading, new lighting and more efficient air-conditioning can bring older public buildings that get too hot in summer and too cold in winter in line with modern energy efficiency standards.
"We want to build what matters – getting people working now, whilst saving taxpayers money, cutting our carbon emissions and reducing peak demand.
"This program could sustain around 310-430 green jobs for tradies, allowing us to upgrade lighting, insulation, air-conditioning, and add sensors and energy management software.
"The measures will reduce peak demand on the grid, make State Government buildings more comfortable and healthier places to be, whilst saving taxpayers an estimated minimum of $7 million each year once upgrades have been fully implemented.
"Cheaper electricity costs for taxpayers mirror the fall in electricity prices for households and businesses.
"Households have already saved on average $158 per year over the last two years.
"More energy efficient public buildings will complement the Marshall Government's new supply contract which is building the Cultana Solar Farm and Playford Utility Battery at Port Augusta to deliver even bigger savings to the taxpayer's power bill and a bigger reduction in carbon pollution.
"The $60 million super-sizing of public building retrofits is the latest investment by the Marshall Government's in the delivery of lower emissions and cheaper power.
"The Marshall Government is driving an ambitious transition to net-100% renewable energy with an aspiration to reduce emissions by more than 50% by 2030 from 2005 levels.
"The SA-NSW Interconnector, Home Battery Scheme, Grid Scale Storage Fund, Government Supply Contract, demand management and now the building refurbishment program are all part of the Marshall Government's plans to reduce emissions whilst also reducing electricity bills.
"The Marshall Government's performance is proving that it is possible to both reduce the price of electricity, secure our grid, and reduce our impact upon the environment whilst creating jobs.
The Home Battery Scheme is also receiving an additional $18 million (to a total of $118 million) to supersize the largest per capita roll-out of home batteries in the world.
"The extra $18 million will result in the HBS reaching 440 megawatt hours of storage, a 50 per cent increase on the original target of 280 megawatts," said the Minister.
"Reaching that target will result in further downward pressure on household and small business electricity prices.
"We'd originally estimated 280 megawatt hours of home batteries, but with this top up we're now aiming at 440 megawatts hours – an increase of more than 50%."
