South Australia is investing $60 million over the next two years to improve energy efficiency in government buildings.

“The $60 million commitment is the largest per capita stimulus investment of any Australian Government in improving the energy efficiency of public buildings,” said Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan.

The state is looking at measures like better insulation, shading, new lighting and more efficient air-conditioning to bring older public buildings in line with modern energy efficiency standards.

The government says the program could sustain around 310-430 green jobs for tradies.

The scheme is expected to reduce peak demand on the grid, make State Government buildings more comfortable and healthier places, and save taxpayers an estimated minimum of $7 million each year once upgrades have been fully implemented.

“More energy efficient public buildings will complement the Marshall Government’s new supply contract which is building the Cultana Solar Farm and Playford Utility Battery at Port Augusta to deliver even bigger savings to the taxpayer’s power bill and a bigger reduction in carbon pollution,” Mr van Holst Pellekaan said.

It is part of the SA Government’s push to net-100 per cent renewable energy with an aspiration to reduce emissions by more than 50 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels.

Additionally, the government has announced its Home Battery Scheme is also receiving an additional $18 million (to a total of $118 million) to supersize the largest per capita roll-out of home batteries in the world.

“The extra $18 million will result in the HBS reaching 440 megawatt hours of storage, a 50 per cent increase on the original target of 280 megawatts,” said the Minister.

“Reaching that target will result in further downward pressure on household and small business electricity prices.

“We’d originally estimated 280 megawatt hours of home batteries, but with this top up we’re now aiming at 440 megawatts hours – an increase of more than 50 per cent.”