Applications are now open for the third round of the State Government's Clean Energy Future Fund, with $21.7 million of grants to be made available.
Launched in April 2020, the fund supports the implementation of projects aimed at decarbonising existing industries, developing new green industries, and improving energy efficiency.
The Cook Government allocated an additional $18 million to the Clean Energy Future Fund as part of the Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategy released in December 2023 to accelerate the energy transition in Western Australia, bringing total investment in the fund to $37 million.
Priority items for the fund's latest round will include projects that:
- are led by First Nations people;
- enhance energy efficiency;
- improve electricity network security and resilience;
- reduce diesel electricity generation; and
- provide long-duration energy storage.
To date, the CEFF has awarded $12 million to eight clean energy projects.
Successful projects funded under previous rounds include:
- a mini-pumped hydro energy storage system near Walpole;
- a wind, solar and battery microgrid incorporating biogas for industry in Moora; and
- a 5 megawatt re-deployable solar project installed by Nomadic Energy at Northern Star's Carosue Dam mine site.
It is estimated these projects will avoid 163,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per annum, which is enough to:
- supply the equivalent of 26,000 homes in WA's main electricity grid;
- take 52,000 cars off the road; and
- generate 133,000 megawatt hours of energy.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation administers the Clean Energy Future Fund with support from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
Applications for round three will be open for ten weeks.
More information and application details on the Clean Energy Future Fund can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/service/environment/environment-information-services/clean-energy-future-fund
As stated by Energy, Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby:
"The Cook Government has invested millions of dollars in the Clean Energy Future Fund because it will play an important role in transforming Western Australia's main electricity network.
"By working with industry, the State Government can position WA to maximise decarbonisation's economic opportunities and reach net zero emissions by 2050."
