Almost eight months after it first launched a consumer pilot designed to provide a one-stop-shop for consumers wanting to switch to all electric, Victoria’s State Electricity Commission (SEC) is expanding the new platform to households in the cities of Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges.
Launched by minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio in August 2024, the free digital platform walks users through a short survey about their home and energy usage, helping to tailor a plan to cut their energy bills through the electrification of household appliances.
More information is also available to customers looking to upgrade their homes by connecting with an SEC vetted local installer who can make a free house visit to provide a more detailed quote.
At the time of the pilot launch, only households in the inner Melbourne cities of Casey, Merri-Bek were given access, before being expanded to include the City of Ballarat and the town of Ballan on the outskirts of Melbourne’s western suburbs.
On Tuesday, the Allan Labor government announced that the consumer pilot would now be expanded to households in Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges.
Households can now also get a quote on what energy efficiency hot water heat pump is best for them and have it installed by a trusted and verified SEC installer.
The digital planner is also able to calculate discounts and rebates for eligible households, which include a $1,000 rebate on a new heat pump through the Solar Homes program and an approximate $500 discount through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
According to the Victorian government, the SEC has already helped over 100,000 households access information on how to save on their energy bills, including over 10,000 households who have access the SEC’s electric home planner.
“The SEC is building a one-stop shop to make it easier for Victorians to get trusted information so they can make the switch to energy efficient electric appliances and start saving money on their energy bills,” said Lily D’Ambrosio.
“This takes the guess work out of trying to figure out what model of heat pump is best for you. It works out the yearly savings, return on investment and eligible government rebates and discount, to make the process fast and simple.”
Households in the City of Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges can explore more about switching to an electric heat pump by visiting secvictoria.com.au/heatpumphotwater. And to explore the SEC’s electric home planner, visit secvictoria.com.au/powerup or call 1300 305 700.
The announcement came a day after the Albanese government promised to build a National Training Centre in New Energy Skills for tradies in Melbourne’s west if it won in this Saturday’s federal election.
Backed by a $40 million joint investment between the federal and state governments as well as the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), the new centre would help upskill over 2,000 tradespeople each year, with at least 200 apprentices to be trained at the facility each year as well.
A first of its kind in the country, the National Training Centre in New Energy Skills would help train and upskill thousands of apprentices and existing tradies in the critical skills needed to participate in transforming the state’s energy networks.
“Only Labor will build Australia’s future by making sure our young people have the skills and training they need for the jobs of the future in the clean energy workforce,” said Chris Bowen, federal minister for climate change and energy.
“Young people around Australia are taking up clean energy opportunities through apprenticeships now, helping them secure jobs of the future and support our net zero transformation.
“Peter Dutton’s $600 billion nuclear scheme won’t deliver a single new energy job but will stop the roll out of renewables and good, lasting jobs into the future.”
