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Powering the Regions – Critical Inputs to Clean Energy Industries – CLAAS

Powering the Regions – Critical Inputs to Clean Energy Industries – CLAAS

  • Applications: open on 23 September 2023 and until 2 November 2023
  • Grants: ranging from $1 million to $100 million are available to fund up to 50% of eligible expenses

The Powering the Regions Fund (PRF) is committed to advancing the growth of emerging clean energy sectors. An extensive funding allocation of $200 million has been assigned to the Critical Inputs to Clean Energy Industries (CICEI) initiative, covering the Cement, Lime, Alumina and Aluminium sectors (CLAAS). This funding is intended to bolster the resilience of these sectors within Australia, ensuring their ongoing provision of vital components for infrastructure and supply chains. Such initiatives play a pivotal role in strengthening Australia's position as a frontrunner in the realm of renewable energy.

Key Requirements

Eligibility requirements for your project include:

  • aiming to enhance Australia’s domestic manufacturing capacity
  • providing support, whether directly or indirectly, to the broader Australian economy’s achievement of emissions reduction targets by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
  • having a minimum eligible expenditure of $2 million
  • be carried out within Australia
  • for capital works, the delivery should take place within Regional Australia (which encompasses areas beyond Greater Capital Cities, including Kwinana, WA) or at a facility regulated by the Safeguard Mechanism.
  • project completion is required by March 31, 2026

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible activities must be closely tied to the project and may encompass one or more of the following:

  • developing and/or implementing decarbonisation strategies for sectors like cement, lime, alumina, or aluminium, or for specific facilities within these sectors.
  • conducting feasibility studies on novel technologies or practices to aid decarbonisation efforts
  • planning and preparing for the challenges in commercial, supply chain, workforce, and energy aspects of cement, lime, alumina, or aluminium production in the context of transitioning towards a net zero economy.
  • experimenting with decarbonisation technologies and solutions within the cement, lime, alumina, or aluminium sectors.
  • undertaking capital investment projects that accelerate decarbonisation investments which might not otherwise be commercially viable before 2030.

The granted funds can be utilised for the following purposes:

  • acquisition of newly purchased or pre-existing plant
  • leasing or hiring of plant equipment
  • construction of plant facilities
  • labour costs, on-costs, and administrative overheads
  • expenditures related to contracted services
  • decommissioning of obsolete equipment
  • staff training that directly contributes to achieving project objectives

To meet eligibility criteria, the incurred expenditure must:

  • directly pertain to the project
  • arise from your participation in essential project audit activities
  • be incurred within the timeframe between the project’s initiation and completion
  • align with the stipulated eligible expenditure guidelines

What companies are eligible for funding?

You are eligible to apply if you:

  • possess an Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • are registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Moreover, you must fall under one of the following entity categories:

  • an entity incorporated in Australia
  • a corporation limited by guarantee
  • an incorporated organisation
  • organisations that receive government funding for research
  • an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation established in accordance with the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
  • an incorporated non-profit organisation
  • a corporate trustee acting on behalf of a trust

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable, and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.