The Clean Energy Program is still in draft mode at this stage. It will be provided through the Energy Innovation Fund, which supports research and development in clean energy technologies. The Clean Energy Program is managed by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and comprises $50 million in competitive grants for clean energy research and development projects in Australia.
The term ‘Clean energy’ covers a broad range of technologies and those eligible for support from this Clean Energy Program will include renewable energy and enabling technologies.
Key objectives of the Clean Energy Program include:
- retaining and attracting expertise in clean energy technologies
- accelerating the development of new and innovative clean energy technologies that will lead to medium to long term reductions in emissions from energy production and use
- securing Australia’s place as a global leader in clean energy technology research and development
- developing innovative technologies and products to create opportunities for Australian industry to grow and maximise technology export opportunities.
Who is eligible?
An eligible applicant for a Clean Energy Program grant is:
- an Australian-resident company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 not exempt from paying income tax in Australia;
- able to demonstrate financial viability;
- able to demonstrate technical capacity to undertake the project;
- able to fund at least 50 per cent of the eligible project costs (not from another government grant);
- able to fund 100% of ineligible project costs under CEP Guidelines;
- able to demonstrate strong performance against all six assessment criteria; and
- able to demonstrate that the project is likely to deliver on CEP objectives.
Additionally, projects must be located in Australia and must meet the Clean Energy Program objectives, as outlined above. Applicants must demonstrate that the project would not be undertaken without the funding that is being sought.
What activities are eligible for Clean Energy Program funding?
Eligible technologies include energy efficiency and direct or enabling technologies developed for the purpose of deriving energy sustainably from:
- Hydrogen
- Geothermal energy
- Bioenergy
- Wind energy
- Fuel cells
- Ocean and tidal energy
- Other renewable energy technologies
- Solar technologies not eligible to apply for funding through the Australian Solar Institute
Enabling technologies are those that:
- enable other clean energy technologies to work (e.g. Energy storage, transformation, integration or control technologies that are used in conjunction with energy generation or collection technologies);
- access other clean energy technologies; or
- are otherwise associated with, or used in conjunction with, other clean energy technologies.
The Clean Energy Program supports clean energy research and development (R&D) projects. Clean Energy Program R&D is defined as systematic investigation or experimentation activities in clean energy technologies. The object of the R&D must be to derive new knowledge, or new or improved materials, products, devices, processes or services. This R&D is expected to involve innovation and a degree of technical risk. Proof-of-concept elements of R&D projects may also be eligible for CEP funds.
Merit criteria
Applications will be assessed against the following essential criteria:
- Contribution to Australia’s Clean Energy Industry
- Environmental and Social Benefits
- Technical Feasibility
- Management Capability
- Value For Money
- Commercialisation
The application process comprises two stages, an Expression of Interest (EOI) and an Application. The EOI round will be used to short list applicants. Each short listed applicant will be invited to submit a full application in a competitive round.
The EOI must be returned either by email or post by 5pm AEST on a date to be advised.
If you would like assistance with this government grant then please feel free to contact us.