The Albanese Government is backing Australian innovation in battery technology and manufacturing to advance the country's energy transition and insulate domestic supply chains from global shocks.
With $4.3 million through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Government is investing in next generation batteries that will grow local manufacturing, back Australian jobs and make better use of Australia's rich critical mineral resources.
Victoria's PowerPlus Energy will use $2.3 million from the Battery Breakthrough Initiative to expand and automate parts of its battery assembly line, allowing it to dramatically increase annual production and explore new market opportunities.
Under the $6.7 million project, the Melbourne-based battery maker will unlock new jobs and triple annual battery module manufacturing to 150 MWh over the next two years to support growth in demand from agriculture, utilities and tourism operators.
Western Australia's Firebird Metals will receive $2 million to develop an Australian first demonstration-scale facility that processes manganese concentrate into cathode materials for batteries.
The funding will allow the Perth-based developer to add more value to Australia's mineral resources here at home and position Australia to supply growing global demand for manganese-rich batteries.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen
"The Albanese Government wants Australia to do more than dig up the minerals the world needs, we want to make more of the products the world needs right here as well.
"That means backing Australian innovation, backing Australian manufacturing and backing the next generation of battery technology.
"Batteries are critical to storing more of the cheap, clean renewable energy Australia is generating, and they are critical to building a stronger, more secure energy system.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres
"Australia's future energy security requires a coordinated uplift in national battery and storage manufacturing.
"These investments from the Albanese Government's Battery Breakthrough Initiative are all about lifting onshore battery manufacturing capability, strengthening local clean energy supply chains and delivering good blue-collar jobs for Australians.
"By backing in cutting-edge advanced manufacturing technologies at PowerPlus Energy, and the demonstration-scale manganese-rich battery-making facility at Firebird Metals, this program is maximising the benefits of the shift to clean energy for Australia and Australians."
Quotes attributable to Member for Aston, Mary Doyle
"I'm delighted to see the first grant from the Battery Breakthrough Initiative awarded to the outstanding team at PowerPlus Energy in Aston.
"I've seen first-hand the strides PowerPlus has made to lift clean energy manufacturing capability in our community, and BBI funding means faster, more affordable battery manufacturing for Australia."
