The Australian government has announced a $91 million investment under the Powering the Regions Fund to support Australian industries in reducing their climate pollution.
This latest round of funding will help cut over one million tonnes of emissions annually, equivalent to removing more than 240,000 cars from the roads.
Six new projects across the aluminium, mining, fuel refining, and chemical production sectors will receive grants to implement emissions reduction technologies.
This investment is expected to unlock an additional $182 million in industry funding, with each government dollar attracting two dollars of private investment.
The grants include $37.2 million for methane reduction at Kestrel Coal in Queensland, $28 million for a solar and battery system at Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, and $9.8 million for emissions capture at Dyno Nobel’s ammonium nitrate facility.
Other recipients include CSBP Limited in Western Australia, Boyne Aluminium Smelter in Queensland, and Viva Energy Refinery in Victoria.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen emphasised the importance of supporting traditionally energy-intensive industries in their transition to lower emissions.
“These grants will help them make their fair contribution to our national targets,” Bowen stated.
Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic highlighted the role of Australian industry in creating a “Future Made in Australia” while transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
“We’re continuing to back Australian industry and help them transition to net-zero because a country that makes things creates strong businesses and more high-paid jobs,” Husic said.
This funding round follows a $330 million investment in nine projects announced in April, forming part of the $600 million Safeguard Transformation Stream within the Powering the Regions Fund.
The program remains open for further applications through the Business Grant Hub.
While environmental groups have welcomed most of the investments, the Australian Conservation Foundation expressed disappointment over the grant to Kestrel Coal, arguing that the coal mining sector should fund its own emissions reductions.
As Australia continues its journey towards net-zero emissions, these grants represent a significant step in supporting industrial decarbonisation and maintaining economic competitiveness in a changing global landscape.
