The third round of the Victorian Government’s New Energy Jobs Fund for new energy technology projects to encourage the uptake of renewable energy and reduce emissions has opened.
Round three of the New Energy Jobs Fund program will offer a total of up to $3 million, with grants of between $20,000 and $1 million available.
The program is designed to assist community and business needs, with a focus on funding projects which will deliver significant community benefits.
Round three will have separate streams for new energy technology community and industry applications with categories that focus on manufacturing, technology, sustainable transport, community and skills.
Round one closed in March 2016, with 24 successful projects and funding of $5.9 million. Round two closed in March 2017, with 21 projects and funding of $6.8 million. The New Energy Jobs Fund is an initiative of the $200 million Future Industries Fund.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said renewable energy is vital to Victoria’s energy future – making energy supplies cleaner, attracting investment and creating jobs.
“Through initiatives like the New Energy Jobs Fund and the microgrid project, we’re helping create new jobs and improve our renewable energy capabilities.”
The State Government also announced the opening of the Expression of Interest stage of a $10 million Microgrid Demonstration Initiative.
Grants of between $100,000 and $5 million will be available to facilitate and implement statewide microgrid demonstration projects, with the aim of unlocking clean energy microgrid markets in Victoria.
The Expression of Interest is seeking to identify projects and explore the range of potential microgrid solutions and will be followed by a Request for Proposal in 2018.
The funding aims to support a range of demonstration projects in different locations, building types, scale and business models.
