Funding and Grants - Rural Renewable Energy Program

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The Rural Renewable Energy Program provides rebates for grid-connect renewable energy power systems in specific 'fringe of grid' areas of the South West electricity grid.

The objectives of the program are to:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Help provide more effective electricity supplies for people in rural areas
Assist in developing the Australian renewable energy industry
Assist development in regional areas
Raise awareness of renewable energy and the value of distributed generation.

The program is supported by the Australian Government through the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program, which is administered in Western Australia by the State Government's Sustainable Energy Development Office.

There are two components of the Rural Renewable Energy Program, one for small projects (500W to 30kW) and one for medium projects (30kW to 2MW). In both cases rebates are subject to the availability of program funding.

The information provided below is an overview of the Rural Renewable Energy Program.

Full details of eligibility requirements and rebates available are provided in the guidelines for each component of the program.

General eligibility criteria

Funding is available for grid-connect renewable energy systems located within one of the specified local government shires
Renewable energy systems must be new, complete systems and must be purchased after an application has been approved by the Sustainable Energy Development Office
Expenditure on renewable energy generating equipment (such as photovoltaic arrays or wind turbines) must be at least 50% of the total cost of equipment and services on which a rebate is sought
Sufficient resources must be available for the implementation of projects and renewable energy system suppliers, designers and installers must be capable and sufficiently qualified
Renewable energy equipment and systems must be reliable, capable of operating successfully in rural areas of Western Australia, use proven technologies and must meet relevant standards and regulations.

Rebates for Small Projects (500W to 30kW)

For renewable energy power systems with a rated capacity of between 500W and 30kW, the program provides rebates of 50% of the capital cost of eligible systems, up to a maximum of $150,000.

The Sustainable Energy Development Office assesses applications for small projects on a first in, first served basis. Rebates are available to applicants that fully comply with the requirements set out in Guidelines for Small Projects, subject to availability of funding.

Guidelines for Small Projects (PDF 126 KB)
Pre-Purchase Application Form for Small Projects (PDF 141 KB)
Rebate Application Form for Small Projects (PDF 101 KB)
Renewable Energy System Suppliers (PDF 52 KB)
Using renewable energy in your home (PDF 209 KB)

Rebates for Medium Projects (30kW to 2 MW)

For renewable energy power systems with a rated capacity of 30kW to 2MW, the program provides rebates of typically up to 50% of the capital cost of eligible systems.

Applications for medium projects can be made through competitive funding rounds. In each funding round rebates may be approved for projects that:

Meet all requirements of the program, as set out in the program guidelines
Best meet the objectives of the program, and have the lowest risks, per funding dollar requested.

Guidelines for Medium Projects (PDF 91 KB)

All applications for medium projects have to be assessed and approved by both the Sustainable Energy Development Office and the Australian Greenhouse Office. Major projects also require approval by the Australian Government Minister for Environment and Heritage. The Minister has indicated that funding may not be approved where a project is against the clearly expressed wishes of the local community.

Applications for the first funding round for medium projects closed 22 September 2006. Any future funding rounds are dependent on the outcomes of the first funding round.

Further information

Sustainable Energy Development Office
Level 9 / 197 St Georges Terrace
Phone: +61 8 9420 5694 (medium projects) or +61 8 9420 5662 (small projects)
Fax: +61 8 9420 5699
Email: sedo@energy.wa.gov.au

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