Current grant and other opportunities
Energy briefing update - March 2021
Browse the latest grants and other support available to business from government below:
Click here to return to the first edition of the energy briefing update.
national
Advancing Renewables Program
The Advancing Renewables Program is continuously open for applications that address the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Investment Priorities.
ARENA wishes to attract and fund projects that align with its Investment Plan and the priority low emissions technologies and emerging and enabling technologies outlined in the Low Emissions Technology Statement that support renewable energy and enabling technologies.
Learn more here.
Business Energy Advice Program (BEAP)
The Business Energy Advice Program (BEAP) is a free energy advisory program for small businesses (1-19 employees) across Australia that delivers face-to-face and phone consultations, helping them to discover industry specific energy saving opportunities. BEAP is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by Business Australia.
BEAP provides advice on energy procurement and energy efficiency opportunities to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) manage their energy consumption and costs. The service also gives small businesses free access to information available online including case studies, fact sheets, and information on how businesses can access government grants.
Learn more here.
Carbon Capture, Use and Storage Development Fund
Carbon capture projects will get a boost through the Australian Government’s $50 million Carbon Capture, Use and Storage Development Fund. The objectives of the program are to:
Reduce emissions across energy generation, natural gas or hydrogen production and heavy industries (including manufacturing, chemicals, cement and fertiliser production);
Foster existing, pilot or pre-commercial CCUS facilities that could connect into a regional CCS hub in the future and bring together a network of multiple greenhouse gas emitters enabling reductions in costs and risks for CCUS projects and large-scale abatement;
Support the Australian Government’s priority technology stretch goal to compress, transport and store carbon dioxide (CO2) for less than $20 per tonne of CO2;
Leverage expertise and viable geological storage resources for CCUS in Australia; and
Support new opportunities to use carbon dioxide in the development of CO2-derived products and services.
The minimum grant amount is $500,000 and the maximum grant is $25 million. Projects must be complete by 30 June 2025.
Learn more here.
Hotel Energy Uplift Program
Applications are now being accepted from the $10.2 million Hotel Energy Uplift Program from the Federal Government. Small and medium hotels can apply for grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 to implement measures that reduce energy use, improve energy productivity and deliver carbon abatement. Applications close 1 April 2021 – or earlier if funding is exhausted.
Learn more here.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Next Generation Energy Storage (Next Gen) Program
The $25 million Next Generation Energy Storage (Next Gen) Program was created to encourage the rollout of solar energy storage in the ACT; assist the development of ACT-based energy storage industry, research, and training; and extend ACT’s national leadership position in renewables.
The Next Gen program requires external providers to deliver a rebate on battery installation for residential and business premises. To receive the rebate on an installed solar battery system, you will need to use one of the participating providers.
Learn more here.
Renewable Energy Innovation Fund
Renewable Energy Innovation Fund (REIF) seeks to provide flexible, early-stage funding to support a broad range of new and emerging technologies and ventures with the potential to deliver on the energy vision of the future.
The new Clean Tech co-funding scheme will be funded through the REIF and will allow opportunities for the REIF to opportunistically co-fund clean technology research, development and deployment projects.
Applications for the Clean Tech co-funding scheme are accepted at any time and assessed on a rolling basis and will remain open until available funding has been exhausted.
Learn more here.
New South Wales
Commercial refrigerator rebates
Thinking about buying a new commercial fridge? An energy efficient refrigerator can save you hundreds of dollars on your power bills every year.
Eligible small businesses can get a NSW government rebate for new plug-in commercial fridges and freezers; Businesses can receive a rebate of up to $1490 per fridge.
Learn more here.
Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program
The Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program is the NSW Government's plan to support and partner with industry to reduce emissions and help NSW businesses prosper in a low carbon world. The program will invest $750 million to 2030 to realise the full opportunity of a low carbon NSW economy.
NSW has opened a confidential Registration of Interest (ROI) for interested organisations. This ROI will close at 5pm AEST Tuesday 27 April 2021.
Learn more here.
Regional Job Creation Fund
Businesses that want to expand or relocate their operations to regional NSW may be eligible for funding under the NSW Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund.
The fund provides co-funding for projects that create five or more sustainable jobs within regional NSW, including those that replace, upgrade, or adapt existing plant or equipment, including technology or energy efficiency upgrades.
Applications close Friday 14 May 2021 or when program funding is fully allocated. Businesses must belong to an eligible industry depending on their region.
Learn more here.
South Australia
Adelaide’s Sustainability Incentives Scheme
The City of Adelaide provides financial incentives for sustainable technology installation in apartments, houses and commercial buildings, to improve energy and water performance. This can have the added benefit of reducing costs, cutting carbon emissions and increasing the value of the property.
Several rebates are available to be claimed through the Sustainability Incentives Scheme before 30 June 2021.
Learn more here.
Resource Efficiency and Productivity
Transition your business to the circular economy with assistance from Resource Efficiency and Productivity (REAP) grants. This grant offers a 50 per cent subsidy for a resource efficiency and productivity assessment, to a maximum of $10,000. An additional $10,000 is available on successful completion of a Green Industries SA approved assessment to kick-start implementation of the recommendations.
REAP is taking expressions of interest for 2021-22.
Learn more here.
Victoria
Agriculture Energy Investment Plan
The Agriculture Energy Investment Plan is open to farmers and businesses whose primary operation is in the agriculture sector. The plan outlines the Victorian Government’s commitment to partnering with industry to build a more resilient, energy efficient and internationally competitive agriculture sector, and includes energy assessments – to understand where energy efficiency improvements can be made – and rebates and grants – for equipment to improve farm energy efficiency.
The plan provides $30 million to support enhancements to energy efficiency and energy productivity, helping to boost competitiveness and protect local jobs.
Learn more here.
Energy Innovation Fund
The Victorian Government has developed the Energy Innovation Fund to support the commercialisation of innovative, emerging renewable energy technologies in Victoria required to meet its target of net zero emissions by 2050.
The Fund is being delivered in multiple rounds. Round 1 applications have already closed. Round 2 pre-applications will close at 2pm AEST on 8 April 2021, with full applications anticipated to open in August 2021.
Learn more here.
Western Australia
Clean Energy Future Fund
The Clean Energy Future Fund supports the implementation of innovative clean energy projects in Western Australia. Applications for round two funding opened on 25 January 2021 and will close on 22 April 2021. The fund has $16 million available.
Learn more here.
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