The Federal Government will invest $500 million in its Powering Australia Technology Fund for the development of new and innovative projects and technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
The funding will be provided to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to increase the commercialisation of renewable energy, energy efficiency and other innovative clean energy technologies.
The investment will build on the CEFC’s role as a specialist investor to help deliver on Australia’s ambitions for a renewable and clean energy future.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said the Albanese Government is getting on with delivery, after a decade of denial and delay.
“Through the Powering Australia Technology Fund, Australian businesses will be able to scale up creative projects using clean energy technologies,” Mr Bowen said.
“The Albanese Government is ensuring the world’s largest green bank can continue to support the commercialisation of innovative new technologies, such as energy-efficient smart city sensors and innovations in solar arrays and battery technologies.
“While we excel in research, Australia has been losing out for too long when it comes to commercialisation. We need to continue developing innovative technologies that will help power Australia, and realising more of their economic benefits here.”
The Powering Australia Technology Fund aims to leverage off another $500 million from the private sector and include a “growth capital” offering for clean energy technology businesses looking to expand.
It will be similar to the CEFC’s successful Clean Energy Innovation Fund, which supports early-stage companies developing technology to reduce emissions across the economy, from transport to agriculture, waste and energy-demand management.
Through amendments to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Act, as part of a Treasury Amendment Bill, the $500 million will be added to the CEFC Special Account and the details of the fund will be included in the CEFC’s investment mandate. The CEFC will make investment decisions under the Fund in accordance with its legislation, statutory independence and technology eligibility rules.
