The NSW Government has opened $4.5 million in grants to help medium and large businesses install metering and monitoring systems that track energy use, identify inefficiencies, and cut costs while reducing emissions.
For regional businesses, the program addresses a common barrier: limited visibility over where energy is being used across sites, plant, and processes. Better data allows businesses to prioritise upgrades, manage peak demand, and make informed decisions before investing in electrification or efficiency projects.
What the funding supports
The program provides co-funding for projects that improve energy data and insight, including:
- Metering and sub-metering of plant, equipment, and facilities
- Monitoring and analytics systems that turn energy data into operational insight
- Metering plan implementation, particularly for complex or multi-site operations
- Energy performance services that help businesses interpret data and act on it
Grants typically cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, reducing upfront capital pressure for regional firms.
Why this matters for regional operators
Energy costs often make up a larger share of operating expenses for manufacturers, processors, logistics operators, councils, health services, and education facilities. Many sites also face:
- Older infrastructure with limited monitoring
- Multiple buildings or remote assets
- Constraints on grid capacity and peak demand charges
Metering and monitoring can uncover avoidable energy use, support load shifting, and provide evidence to justify future upgrades such as heat electrification, onsite generation, or storage.
A practical first step, not a technology leap
The grants are designed as a foundational step. Rather than funding major plant replacement, they focus on getting the data right first. For regional businesses, this lowers risk by ensuring future investments are based on measured performance, not estimates.
Who should consider applying
The program is relevant for NSW organisations with:
- High or rising electricity and gas bills
- Multiple buildings, production lines, or energy-intensive equipment
- Plans to improve efficiency, manage demand, or transition processes over time
Applications are assessed on clear energy outcomes and deliverable project plans, making preparation and scope definition important.
Planning and resources
Alongside the grants, the Metering and Monitoring Planning Initiative offers up to $15,000 for businesses to assess their energy data systems with help from a specialist panel. This planning phase can set the foundation for future grant applications.
The NSW Government has also released practical guides and case studies from businesses that have benefited from metering and monitoring support.
