Pilot Energy Limited (ASX: PGY) has announced the receipt of a substantial grant of $6.5 million from the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to support its Mid-West Clean Energy Project (MWCEP).
This funding is part of the government’s Carbon Capture Technologies Program, aimed at advancing carbon capture initiatives across Australia.
The grant will enable Pilot Energy to enhance engineering and technology demonstration activities, with an initial goal of capturing between 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
This volume represents approximately 50 per cent of the carbon required for Pilot’s Cliff Head Carbon Storage Project.
To secure this grant, Pilot Energy collaborated with several key partners, including:
- Capture6: specialising in carbon capture and water processing
- KC8: focused on carbon capture technologies
- Svante: known for innovative carbon capture solutions
- CarbonCo: involved in carbon capture initiatives
- Genesis Energies: providing carbon supply chain engineering
- Curtin University: contributing to carbon supply chain research and development
- Deloitte: offering grant application support
The funding will facilitate two primary initiatives: the deployment of a pilot facility to demonstrate Capture6’s water processing and direct air capture (DAC) technology, and a pre-FEED study to assess carbon management solutions for a confidential emitter in the Mid West.
Brad Lingo, Chairman of Pilot Energy, expressed his gratitude for the support received from various stakeholders and emphasised the importance of this grant in propelling the MWCEP forward.
“This funding allows us to continue to build momentum in the MWCEP following the recent declaration of storage formation and completion of the pre-FEED study,” he stated.
Ethan Cohen-Cole, CEO of Capture6, highlighted the significance of the project, stating: “Capture6 is thrilled to work on this project with Pilot.
“The MWCEP is a great example of how Capture6 is working with clients to use our carbon removal and water technology to enable and accelerate the energy transition.”
This initiative is part of the Australian government’s broader commitment to reduce emissions from hard-to-abate industries and support the transition to net-zero emissions.
The Carbon Capture Technologies Program is investing $65 million across seven projects, aimed at utilising emerging technologies to decarbonise industrial processes and directly remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.