Federal grant of nearly $1m to help Shire of Esperance enhance climate resilience and reduce energy bills

The Shire of Esperance is set to have its energy bills slashed by more than $280,000 annually and carbon emissions reduced by more than 400 tonnes each year thanks to a $946,938 Federal Government grant. The shire successfully obtained the funding from round two of the Federal Community Energy Upgrades Fund and will install solar panels and batteries on 16 of its buildings, five of which will have window films added with a low E tint. A report to last week’s council meeting said the project would contribute more than 580kW of additional solar generation capacity and 460kwh of battery storage, which would lead to the reductions in energy costs and carbon emissions. The nearly $1 million grant will cover about half of the $1,893,876 cost of the project, with the shire proposing to pay for its portion with funds from its building maintenance reserve and other business unit reserve. At the council meeting, councillors approved a budget variation and requested a yearly energy usage report following installation of the upgrades for the subsequent three years. President Ron Chambers expressed his thanks to shire staff and the Federal Government for making the project possible, saying the opportunity to receive a grant of its nature was “rare”. “These are serious sorts of funds and funds that can make a massive difference to local government in helping to reduce our costs,” he said. “There are lots of funds out there that increase the costs of what we have to look after — infrastructure funds, etc. (which we) normally end up with a new piece of infrastructure that has a lifelong cost to a community. “Funding of this type that allows us to reduce our energy costs and actually reduce our costs going forward I must say are pretty rare.” As the grant agreement proposes the shire to have its solar panels, batteries and window film installed by September 2026, the shire will be required to tender and award the works early next year.