The ACT Government has launched the Commercial Kitchen Trial, a new, Australian-first pilot program providing rebates to Canberra hospitality businesses to transition their commercial kitchen away from fossil fuel gas to all-electric, safe cooking.
“The cost of gas is continuing to rise across the nation, and this will become an increasing burden on the hospitality sector, where many commercial kitchens are reliant on gas for cooking and hot water,” Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Water, Energy, and Emissions Reduction, said.
“Fossil gas burning accounts for around 22 per cent of the ACT’s greenhouse gas emissions, which is why the ACT Government has announced the plan to electrify our city and phase out fossil gas use.
“The Commercial Kitchen Trial will help cafes and restaurants with the cost barriers by providing eligible businesses with a rebate up to 50 per cent of the total cost of the transition. Businesses will also receive free expert technical advice in addition to financial assistance.
“We understand that the transition from gas to electric will be a challenge for the hospitality sector, and ACT Government is committed to supporting this important business sector to transition.
“The trial will also help the government to better understand the unique challenges commercial kitchens experience when transitioning from gas to all electric.”
The Global Cooksafe Coalition, a not-for-profit organisation that unites cooking, health and property experts working to deliver safe, affordable, fossil-fuel free cooking for everyone, welcomed the news.
Virginia Jones, the Coalition’s Australia program manager, said: “The leading chefs we work with, from Neil Perry to Palisa Anderson and Luke Burgess, are clear that induction cooktops provide better precision and control than gas, as well as a safer kitchen and cheaper running costs.
“The ACT Government is leading the world by ensuring that small businesses can access these benefits, and we’re thrilled to support this important Commercial Kitchen Trial.”
Mr Rattenbury said the program would assist the ACT to phase out fossil fuel gas by 2045, as announced last year.
“ An all-electric Canberra will allow us to power our city, homes, businesses, and transport with 100 per cent renewable electricity for a cleaner, more affordable and healthier future,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“As we work to electrify our city, we want to support community and business leadership to showcase the possibilities of a future free of fossil-fuel gas. Working with the community and industry will help us to understand what we need to focus on over the coming years to ensure every home and business in Canberra is ready for a gas free future.”
Businesses can apply to be part of the trial by submitting an expression of interest. More information is available at: www.climatechoices.act.gov.au
