Energy Minister Guy Barnett announced a range of initiatives, including farm energy audits and the appointment of a farm energy advocate at Aurora Energy.

Farmers can now apply for grants of up to $20,000 from a $750,000 fund pool for on-farm energy audits over the next three years.

“It will help farmers ascertain, analyse and get the best cost for their energy on their farm,” Mr Barnett said.

“Farming practices have changed – not just in the last few decades, but in the last few years – and we want to make sure our energy practices are up-to-date and in keeping with modern farm practices,” he said.

The Tasmanian government will contribute $2 for every $1 farmer pays towards the audit, where an energy professional assesses how energy is used and suggests strategies to save costs.

Primary Industries Minister Sarah Courtney said the grants were available now for land-based and marine farming operations.

“If you operate a dairy, you irrigate poppies or you’re growing oysters, you are eligible to be able to apply for a grant to be able to have an audit to manage your energy costs so it can be cheaper,” Ms Courtney said.

“We want to be able to see farmers running their farms as efficiently as possible,” she said.

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Peter Skillern said this was an “outstanding suite of initiatives” that would help farmers manage what can be a significant cost.

“In some cases it’s a six-figure amount. Different enterprises use a different amount of energy,” Mr Skillern said.

“Farmers will be able to ascertain their energy use and their best use of energy to ensure that their businesses remain profitable and sustainable into the future.”

Aurora Energy’s farm energy advocate will help Tasmanian farmers get the best tariff for their operation.

A review of irrigation and solar feed-in tariffs were also announced.

These initiatives are on top of the Tasmania First Energy Policy, where energy prices have been capped at CPI (Consumer Price Index) for the next three years, Mr Barnett said.