Posted on 21 Aug 2025
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on Tuesday launched an AUD 500 million ($324.3m) initiative to promote battery manufacturing in the country.
Kallanish reports that the so-called Battery Breakthrough Initiative (BBI) will provide capital grants and production incentives to help manufacturers produce “high-value” battery products and scale up operations. It will focus on stationary energy storage systems, as well as the production of battery active materials using local critical minerals and resources.
The initiative is part of the government’s national battery strategy released last year. ARENA says it will award funds to projects across three areas: battery active materials, battery cell manufacturing, and battery pack assembly.
“Batteries are a critical component of the global move to reduce carbon emissions and there is a huge opportunity for Australia to be part of this global demand,” comments industry minister Tim Ayres. “Australia’s got the raw materials, a strong research sector and a range of companies deeply engaged on the role of batteries in the clean energy transition.”
ARENA ceo Darren Miller argues that energy storage is essential for Australia’s renewable energy future.
“We know that solar and wind energy can provide us the lowest cost renewable energy generation at scale, but we also need to be able to store it for when it is needed,” Miller says. “BBI will enhance Australia’s battery manufacturing capability, improve supply chain resilience and battery manufacturing processes, and foster innovation.”
The “open, merit-based” programme will remain open until funds are exhausted or otherwise terminated or extended, ARENA notes.
Source:Kallanish
