The Australian Government has a comprehensive plan to move Australia to a clean energy future. This includes:
- introducing a carbon price;
- promoting innovation and investment in renewable energy;
- encouraging energy efficiency; and
- creating opportunities in the land sector to cut pollution.
The plan has been devised in response to clear scientific advice that the world is warming, that carbon pollution from human activity creates significant risks and that we can avoid the worst potential impacts by reducing carbon pollution.
The plan details how the Government will help Australian households, businesses and communities make the transition to cleaner sources of energy, lower carbon pollution and protect our international competitiveness. Further details on the plan can be found on the Clean Energy Future website at: www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au Link to external website.
As part of the Clean Energy Future package, the Australian Government has maintained its commitment to remote renewable energy through the $40m four-year Remote Indigenous Energy Program (RIEP), which will be administered by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
RIEP is an important component of the Government’s plan for a clean energy future and a central element of the Government’s commitment to encourage energy efficiency.
RIEP supports the Government’s key priority of Closing the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by building on investments in services in remote Indigenous housing and increasing opportunities for economic participation and employment.
RIEP will support Indigenous people to make the adjustment to a clean energy future, aligning with the Government’s commitment to improve Indigenous health principally through a reliable power supply.
RIEP will deliver capital works, repairs and maintenance and implement strategies for supporting local capacity building via training, education and employment.
RIEP will primarily provide reliable 24-hour power in up to 50 smaller remote Indigenous communities across Australia through the installation of fit-for-purpose renewable energy systems. RIEP will also provide energy efficiency education and training in basic system maintenance to community members and repairs and maintenance to existing systems.
All services delivered under RIEP will provide the opportunity for the employment of Indigenous Australians.
FaHCSIA will be conducting a selection process to identify suitable organisations which have the capacity and capability to deliver the Program to a high standard. Details on this process can be found here.
