The latest round of the Western Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Fund (CEFF) will see more than $16 million offered to seven new clean energy projects, including two led by First Nations peoples.
The State Government said that the CEFF was established to support the development of cutting-edge clean energy technologies, contributing to the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create new job opportunities.
Projects receiving support in the third round of funding encompass a diverse range of innovative clean energy initiatives, such as hydrogen production, battery storage, a pilot to convert diesel mining vehicles to electric, and the establishment of all-electric retirement communities.
According to the Western Australian Government, the successful initiatives are expected to deliver a reduction of about 175,000t in greenhouse gas emissions per year – the equivalent to taking more than 56,000 vehicles off the road.
This equates to a reduction of about 3.7Mt of emissions throughout the lifetimes of the seven projects.
In the latest funding round of $16 million, $5.5 million will support two clean energy projects led by First Nations people, aiming to deliver economic benefits to local communities.
They include a traditional owner-led solar and battery project on Banjima land in the Pilbara, and a solar project on Jinparinya land near Port Hedland.
The State Government said that this third round of funding builds on the success of two previous rounds, which supported the implementation of eight clean energy projects.
Of these projects, three have since been completed and included a pilot for re-deployable solar panels, an agricultural microgrid, and solar farm and battery storage optimisation.
The $37 million CEFF was established by the Western Australian Government to support innovative projects with environmental and economic benefits for the state.
The fund is administered by the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation with the support of Energy Policy WA in the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
