Consultation underway to ensure energy savings support for our electric future

The consultation invites input into the key priorities for the VEU Strategic Review on what has worked well to date, the objectives and measures of the program in the context of the Victorian Government’s commitments to net zero, renewable energy and electrification, and other ideas to continue supporting Victorians to save energy and electrify.

The VEU Strategic Review was announced as a $5.9 million investment over two years in the 2024/25 State Budget. The review, led by Solar Victoria, will strengthen the VEU program to deliver electrification and energy efficiency at scale.

Key industry and consumer organisations have been appointed to a Stakeholder Reference Group to inform and shape the review to ensure the program can best support households and businesses, as the shift to electric homes and renewable energy ramps up.

Energy Consumers Australia, Environment Victoria, Victorian Council of Social Services, Australian Energy Council, Energy Efficiency Council, Clean Energy Council, Smart Energy Council and the Energy Savings Institute of Australia are among the organisations in the Stakeholder Reference Group, who met with the Victorian Government for the first time in August.

Key organisations across diverse industries and supply chains involved in the program will also be engaged through the strategic review.

Consultation on the initial survey is open until 11.59pm on 22 September 2024.

The VEU program supports energy efficient upgrades for Victorian households and businesses, with discounts on appliances such as reverse-cycle air conditioners, heat pump hot water systems and, from later this year, induction cooktops, that support emissions reduction and lower bills.

More than 2.4 million Victorians homes and 170,000 businesses have been supported through the VEU since 2009, reducing emissions by more than 84 tonnes. It is the largest energy efficiency program in Australia.

For more information, including the survey and consultation terms of reference, visit energy.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades/about/strategic-review.

Quotes attributable to CEO, Solar Victoria, Stan Krpan:

“The VEU program has a strong record of success spanning 15 years – but we're just getting started on electrifying Victorian homes and businesses. That’s why this Strategic Review is so important.”

“We’re giving the VEU an upgrade of its own – to make it more modern and efficient. The Stakeholder Reference Group will work together with Government to ensure it will be the key driver to help more home and businesses electrify, slashing power bills and reducing emissions.”

“This review will support the VEU to keep evolving on our way to 65% renewable energy generation by 2030, 95% by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2045 as we take the critical action necessary on climate change.”