The Queensland Government has announced its $570 million Battery Industry Strategy, which aims to support battery industry innovation, commercialisation, investment and supply-chain growth.
The Queensland Battery Industry Strategy is a five-year action plan designed to harnesses Queensland’s expertise in battery technologies and deliver clean economy jobs in battery technologies and manufacturing
The strategy brings together Queensland’s critical minerals resources, mining expertise, emerging business capability, and research and technology.
Together, these will further develop advanced manufacturing of battery materials, cells, pack assembly, installation, and recycling.
The $570 million package includes new funding of $210 million to build capabilities across the value chain, drive development of battery standards, and testing.
It also provides Queensland’s funding contribution to the Australian Battery Industrialisation Centre that will be further developed in partnership with the Australian Government and a consortium of Queensland Universities.
New and existing industry support is allocated across three key themes:
- $275 million to support industry to innovate and commercialise battery technologies, including $105 million in state funding to plan and establish the Australian Battery Industrialisation Centre in partnership with the Federal Government
- $92.2 million to drive battery investment and supply chain growth, including an $80 million industry grant program
- $202.5 million to promote and position Queensland as the preferred supplier of advanced materials and batteries to domestic and international markets, including $5 million to establish Batteries Queensland, a central point of contact for industry to connect with relevant government agencies and access support
- Stakeholders helped shape the strategy through the Queensland Government’s Battery Industry Opportunities for Queensland discussion paper, which was released in 2023.
Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, said that global demand for batteries will increase tenfold by 2030 as the world moves towards net zero.
“The Queensland Battery Industry Strategy establishes Queensland as a global leader in the flow batteries needed to store renewable energy and advanced battery technologies,” Mr Miles said.
“In 2023 I released the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy, which identifies the battery industry as a priority sector which will shape our economic future.
“We have already made great progress in building out our battery industry supply chain, with substantial investment in battery projects right across the state including the Queensland Energy Storage and Technology Hub facility at Banyo, Alpha HPA in Gladstone and Vecco in Townsville.
“Our 75 per cent emissions reduction target by 2035 provides the investment certainty to build a battery industry here in Queensland to not just supply Australia but the world.
“Building a Queensland battery industry creates jobs here in the Southeast in mining critical minerals in the North West, in minerals processing in Townsville and new clean economy jobs across our regions including Cairns, Gladstone and Maryborough.”
Queensland Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Grace Grace, said that Queensland’s battery industry could deliver more than 9,100 jobs and contribute up to $1.3 billion to the state’s economy by 2030.
“Each region of Queensland has a role to play in the development of the battery supply chain,” Ms Grace said.
“There are incredible opportunities right across our state, from recovery of critical minerals to the production and refining of advanced materials, manufacturing, and integration of battery packs.
“As global economies decarbonise, the demand for battery storage is set to grow exponentially.
“Right now, most of the batteries used in Queensland are imported. This is a massive opportunity for Queensland to become a world leader and make these products in our own backyard, and it’s one we are seizing with both hands.
“Our ambition is to make Queensland the battery industry capital, and ensure our communities benefit directly from the job and economic opportunities this will bring.”
Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni, said that the strategy will diversify the technology used to improve battery safety and ensure that the rich mineral reserves in Queensland can be utilised.
“Batteries are critical for the energy transition, and if we’re going to use them – we should make them,” Mr de Brenni said.
“This investment will be welcomed by the manufacturing sector, the resources sector, by climate advocates and anyone who is looking to save money on their household or business budget.
“Setting up a Queensland made battery industry means that soon every Queenslander will be able to store our plentiful and free sunshine and wind resources, to be used in their home and slash money off their bills.”
QUT Advanced Battery Facility Director, A/Prof Josh Watts, said, “Queensland hosts an incredibly strong battery industry cluster across a diverse range of energy storage technologies, which are primed to supply local and export markets to power the global net zero transition.
“The support provided through the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy will ensure these businesses are able to scale and get their products to market to meet demand which will fortify our domestic energy security and create more jobs and economic growth for Queensland.”
Advanced Materials and Battery Council Director, Dr Lynette Molyneaux, said the Advanced Materials and Battery Council is dedicated to supporting battery-tech companies to develop networks to grow commercially viable value chains, and collaborate with researchers and policy makers to become the cornerstone for a resurgent domestic manufacturing sector.
“For too long Australian research findings have been exported for other countries’ benefit,” Dr Molyneaux said.
“Queensland’s Battery Industry Strategy gives clarity and support to companies that have the know-how and the determination to compete in this huge global opportunity. It also offers investors a clear vision of Queensland’s determination to play a crucial role in global decarbonisation.”
