The government's Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program has proved itself a success with positive remarks made in an independent review.
The EEO program started in 2006 with the aim of helping large-energy using businesses to be more energy efficient.
The program makes it easier for companies to identify, evaluate and report publicly on cost effective energy savings opportunities.
Through this companies can achieve a greater level of productivity as well as reduced levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
It also allows for greater scrutiny of energy use, encouraging a greater awareness of energy issues amongst big business.
Participants can increase their energy efficiency in a number of ways, whether it be by installing solar panels, upgrading to more energy-smart equipment, or using less power on a day to day basis.
The review looked into the EEO and found that it saves participants millions of dollars in energy costs each year – proof that being smart with energy is really effective.
"This evaluation highlights the substantial cost benefits the EEO program is delivering by improving the Australian industrial sector's energy efficiency," said Gary Gray, minister for resources and energy.
"By helping companies to implement better energy management, the EEO program reduces energy costs – amounting to over $290 million each year – as well as greenhouse gas emissions."
The review also came with a recommendation, which was welcomed by Mr Gray.
The recommendation is to streamline the reporting process of energy savings, in order to address industry concerns around compliance expenses.
This has the potential to make the scheme more attractive to companies, as a single portal for energy reporting makes the process more accessible, and easy, for those in the industry.
Posted by Bob Dawson