Grants in Renewables & Sustainability

Solar Sunshot – Round 2 is part of the Australian Government’s broader $1 billion Solar Sunshot Program, delivered by ARENA. This round focuses on inputs to solar PV modules and deployment technologies, aiming to strengthen Australia’s solar manufacturing capabilities and reduce deployment costs. Its objectives include advancing and automating the production of solar module components to support local manufacturing, increasing cost competitiveness and resilience across solar module inputs and related technologies, scaling up domestic solar PV deployment, and encouraging innovative approaches to reduce the overall cost of solar PV implementation.

The Lower Carbon Grants (LCG) Program - Gorgon Fund will support green energy and greentech projects in Western Australia, contributing to a sustainable low carbon future. LCG will fund significant research and innovation activities across industries, technology platforms, and regions that promote practical and effective solutions for decarbonisation.

The Australia-UK Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnerships is a 3-year program, spanning from 2023-24 to 2025-26, emblematic of the Australian Government's commitment to global collaboration in clean energy and technology. Aligned with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, this initiative underscores Australia's dedication to meeting international climate obligations. Announced on 31 July 2023, this program is a pivotal element of the joint funding call with the United Kingdom (UK), complemented by the UK Government's (Innovate UK) Australia-UK Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Competition. In line with the Government's Strategic International Partnerships measure, the program provides Australian companies with funding support of up to $10 million for hydrogen research, development, and demonstration projects conducted in collaboration with UK companies. Projects must align with the objectives outlined in both the Australian Government’s National Hydrogen Strategy and the State of Hydrogen 2022 report. This includes the production of renewable hydrogen and derivatives, and the use of hydrogen in hard-to-abate industries, such as iron and steelmaking, chemicals and heavy transport sectors.

The Industry Growth Program offers support to innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in commercialisation and/or growth projects within the priority areas of the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF). This program comprises Advisory Services and opportunities for matched grant funding. Businesses that have received Advisory Services through the program are eligible to apply for matched grant funding to enhance their projects.

The Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises program supports businesses in upgrading or replacing inefficient equipment. This initiative assists businesses in reducing their energy consumption while enhancing their energy efficiency. Furthermore, it will contribute to mitigating energy price fluctuations.

The Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant (MEEG) Program, funded at $7.1 million by the Queensland Government, supports the manufacturing sector in enhancing its competitiveness in a low-carbon future. This is achieved through the implementation of energy-efficient measures that reduce both energy costs and operational emissions. Queensland-based manufacturers who aim to improve energy efficiency, adopt advanced technology, lower energy consumption and associated expenses, reduce emissions, and promote energy awareness are encouraged to apply.

The program is a strategic initiative designed to assist Victorian manufacturers to seize opportunities in producing goods or components that support the transition towards net zero and low emissions technologies by 2045.

The Australian Government is fully dedicated to taking ambitious climate action, with clear targets of reducing emissions by 43 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, followed by achieving net zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this goal, the government is actively leading efforts to transition to a net zero economy by implementing emission reduction measures and investing in low-carbon opportunities. Recognising the complexity of this task, the government acknowledges that a diverse range of technologies and tools will be required. One effective technological approach in this domain is carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS). CCUS encompasses a variety of advanced solutions engineered to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes or directly from the air. These captured emissions can be utilised in the production of innovative products or securely stored in underground geological formations for long-term sequestration.

The Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem (AME) Fund's primary objective is to enhance advanced manufacturing capabilities, stimulate investment and productivity in the Northern Territory's advanced manufacturing sector, and bolster the number of advanced manufacturing jobs within the region. This funding opportunity is specifically tailored to small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises seeking to advance their capabilities in the Northern Territory. Eligible businesses can access funding support of up to 50 percent of their project costs, with grant amounts ranging from $25,000 to $500,000.