Hydro Tasmania is launching the fifth round of its annual Community Grant Program, providing a helping hand for Tasmanians through the ongoing COVID-19 economic recovery.

In 2020, Hydro Tasmania followed its annual Community Grant Program with a second round of grants dedicated to helping Tasmanians respond to the pandemic, which resulted in a record $140,046 in grants for 40 successful applicants.

This year, with the impact of COVID-19 still working through the community, Hydro Tasmania is making two grant categories available: Community Grants of up to $5,000 to support local projects by not-for-profit groups, and Innovation Grants of up to $10,000 to help community groups continue to adapt their operations and services for the pandemic.

Hydro Tasmania CEO Evangelista Albertini said the business is proud to continue its long history of helping Tasmanians.

“Ever since renewable energy began transforming this state, Hydro Tasmania has been a major contributor to our economy and prosperity, and that means we are well-placed to help those who need it most,” Mr Albertini said.

“These grants let us quickly and directly help Tasmanians cope with the effects of COVID-19 on the community, because we’re all looking forward to getting back to a more normal way of life.”

One recipient last year was the Derwent Valley branch of the State Emergency Service (SES), a group of around 20 Tasmanian volunteers who have literally been saving lives for decades, responding to storm damage and road accidents up to 100 times a year, across a wide area of southern Tasmania that is well-travelled by Hydro Tasmania employees.

SES Southern Regional Manager Mark Nelson said that grants and donations are always a welcome boost to the service and its capacity to keep the community safe.

“This Hydro Tasmania grant means we can look after our volunteers with a few simple things like better lighting, motorised roller doors, new torches, cookers for hot food and drinks, and even a new coat of paint for the unit headquarters,” Mr Nelson said.

“Things like this enhance the recruitment and retention of our volunteers because it makes them feel valued, and it’s the community that ultimately benefits.”

Applications for Hydro Tasmania’s Community Grant Program are open from Monday, 8 February and will close on Friday 26 March, with information available from hydro.com.au/community-grants.