28 minute read
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from MM May 2020
Resources exports on track to reach almost $300bn
Resources and energy exports are on track to reach nearly $300 billion this financial year, $18bn more than the previous record despite the impact of the coronavirus.
Some of Australia’s largest resources companies and industry groups together with the Australian government have united during over discussions on how to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
Resources, water and Northern Australia minister Keith Pitt said it was important for companies to prioritise workers’ health and safety and keep jobs to put the industry in a good position for recovery.
“It’s critical that resources operations continue, and new projects commence as planned wherever possible and we are working with resources companies to ensure they can get workers in and out of regional and remote areas in accordance with health and
The government has committed to working with resources companies to ensure businesses continue to operate despite the COVID-19 situation.
safety requirements,” he said.
The government has committed to working with mining, oil and gas companies to ensure businesses continue to operate under changing circumstances.
“The resources sector has already shown great resilience to be in such a position of strength as we head into this current health crisis,” Pitt said.
“It will be key to Australia’s economic recovery once the global COVID-19 pandemic has passed.”
Round table participants included the Minerals Council of Australia, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), BHP, Rio Tinto, Newcrest, Woodside, Shell, Santos and Senex.
Renewed vigour needed for local manufacturing supply chains
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews has mentioned in an interview with a radio station that the government will be strengthening their investment towards the manufacturing sector and giving it more attention as part of the pandemic response.
The COVID-19 crisis has brought renewed vigour to the calls to support Australian made products. The federal and state governments have been supportive of these with Australian manufacturers like Detmold and Grey Innovation responding by producing additional personal protective equipment (PPEs).
Her comments come in the wake of a shortage of a number of essential goods which Australia has been traditionally reliant on like the PPEs. She mentioned that supply chains need to be examined closely to help out the targeted local manufacturing base in addition to saying that it is not sustainable for the country to rely on foreign supply chains for these products.
“I think what the coronavirus has proven to us is that it’s wrong for us to be totally reliant… on supply chains that come from overseas.
“The issue has been, in some cases getting access to the input materials that they need – so that’s a problem and we need to make sure that we address that as well as making sure that we don’t just retain a strong manufacturing sector – but build it.”
Andrews was mindful of the fact that in terms of cost, it would be hard to compete against overseas products, hence there is a need to play to the strengths that the local manufacturing markets are capable of. This is because of the access to raw materials and Australia’s high wage economy will create significant hurdles for the industry in this respect.
Following discussions with the local manufacturing sector last year, she said that “we have to start looking at what our niche areas are, where we have demonstrated capability, where we can build on that.”
Locally produced pharmaceuticals, as an example, was as important to produce in Australia because having ample stock is important.
“We need to work with our pharmaceutical sector to see how they can pivot and how they can start producing different medicines, different pharmaceuticals if need be,” said Andrews.
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Queensland rum distilleries to produce hand sanitiser
Australia’s oldest distillery Beenleigh Rum and Bundaberg Rum will begin producing hand sanitisers for schools and frontline workers.
About 100,000 litres of ethanol, the key ingredient in hand sanitiser, enough to fill 500,000 bottles, will be supplied to the
100,000 litres of ethanol, the key ingredient in hand sanitiser, will be supplied to the Queensland government.
Queensland government.
State development, manufacturing, infrastructure and planning minister Cameron Dick said the government was prepared to work with and support more manufacturers.
“This is the time to think laterally and broadly about how you and your business can adapt and contribute to our state’s COVID-19 coronavirus response,” he said.
“You might think it’s a long shot, but innovation is critical right now, and when it comes to manufacturing there’s no state more innovative than Queensland.
“We are talking to manufacturers from right across Queensland who are willing and able to transition their production into essential health care supplies and other necessities.”
Existing production lines and staff at both plants are focused on the immediate production for supply hospitals, schools, stores and supermarkets.
Managing director of Bickfords Group and owner of Beenleigh Distillery Angelo Kotses said the idea of producing hand sanitisers came from the need to keep their workers safe.
“We originally planned a small run of only 1500 cartons, but when the Queensland Government approached us, we were more than happy to help by providing hand sanitiser for essential needs throughout the state,” he said.
Managing director of Bundaberg Rum’s parent company Diageo Australia said the company had a duty to support the needs of the community.
“At a time like this we will always step up and contribute when Australians need it most,” he said.
The government will continue to identify issues in supply chains with manufacturers, suppliers and producers and investigate ways to keep businesses open.
NSW manufacturers to fill medical supply chain
The New South Wales government has launched a portal for the state’s manufacturers who have offered to build parts or supply urgent items during the coronavirus period. The online platform aims to connect state-wide supply chains to provide more hand sanitiser, hand wash soap, gloves, cleaning supplies, protective clothing, masks, eyewear and paper products.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged more manufacturers to convert their production lines.
“We have the ability within NSW to meet our local demand and the government is moving to help manufacturers re-tool quickly to achieve this,” she said.
“Importantly, providing this opportunity to manufacturers will also allow some businesses to keep people in jobs when they may not have been able to do so.”
Supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and disinfectant are expected to be in limited supply for at least 12 months.
Job investment, tourism and Western Sydney minister Stuart Ayres said manufacturers should view the coronavirus situation as an opportunity for businesses to diversify their supplies.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged more manufacturers to convert their production lines.
“We will work to find solutions to provide our hospitals and our people with the protection they need, while keeping as many workers as possible in a job,” he said.
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Movement of goods across borders must flow: Ai Group
The Ai Group has urged governments to help reduce cross-border chaos for businesses involved in the movement of goods.
Ai Group CEO Innes Willox told Radio National is it “essential” for governments to act to prevent the economy from quick “atrophy”.
“We have to have continuity around what is happening at our state borders to allow the movement of goods to occur,” he said.
“It is essential to get this right. Businesses are totally confused at the moment trying to figure out what they can and can’t do.”
Willox believes there are a range of measures that governments can consider.
“We’ve made it very clear to government that the assistance
The economy is interconnected, and it is crucial that bigger businesses have the support from the government that they need as well.
for small businesses is good at the moment and appropriate but it’s inevitable that that is going to extend in one way or another to bigger businesses so that they can keep their supply chains alive,” he said.
“We’ve always said the economy is interconnected. It’s crucial that bigger businesses have the supports they need as well.”
Ai Group has been in conversations with the Australian Council of Trade Unions around more flexibility to enable businesses to keep more employees at work.
Measures around the movement of people and goods currently differ from state to state, with some allowing freight to pass, while others are let police officers decide what is essential.
Assistance for local manufacturing should last three to six months to help companies stay in business,” Willox said.
“It is essential that we have measures which are temporary – whether that be for six or twelve months – which are balanced to get us through this. And we are close to that so that cooperation is fantastic.”
CSL consortium to make plasma against coronavirus
Australian biotech giant CSL has formed a consortium with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company to develop a potential plasma therapy to fight coronavirus.
The alliance, which also brings together leading biomedical manufacturers Biotest, BPL Medical Technologies, LFB and Octapharma, will leverage expertise within each company to develop trials.
CSL Behring’s executive vice president and head of research and development Bill Mezzanotte said the companies will collaborate with governments and pool together industry resources to support activities such as clinical trials.
“This effort aims to accelerate a reliable, scalable and sustainable option for caregivers to treat patients suffering from the impact of COVID-19,” he said.
Developing a hyperimmune will require plasma donation from many individuals who have fully recovered from COVID-19.
Developing a hyperimmune will require plasma donation from many individuals who have fully recovered from COVID-19, and whose blood contains antibodies that can fight the novel coronavirus.
The “convalescent” plasma, when collected, would then be transported to manufacturing facilities for proprietary processing, including effective virus inactivation and removal processes, and then purified into the product.
Takeda’s president of plasma business unit Julie Kim said a collective industry approach would bring a therapy to the market more quickly and also increase potential supplies.
The consortium has invited companies and institutions working on plasma to join the alliance.
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Food stockpiling sees April PMI surge
The Ai Group Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) has jumped 9.4 points to 53.7 after four months of contraction, led by shopper demand for food, personal care and other essential household goods.
Local businesses that manufacture items such as processed food, toilet paper, cleaning products were recognised as key contributors to the overall improvement in PMI.
Ai Group CEO Innes Willox said some domestic manufacturers were impacted by COVID-19 in “different ways”.
“Some are stepping up to meet surges in purchasing from consumers, businesses and the health sector,” he said.
“Others are finding that disrupted supply chains into export markets and from suppliers of inputs are reducing sales and stifling production.
“Others are seeing sales dry up as their customers reduce orders to
Food and beverage manufacturing sector had reported a spike in sales, production and new orders in the past month.
reflect their own demand and supply conditions.”
Willox said the aggregate impact for the manufacturing sector in March saw a slight increase in production, strong growth in sales and employment and more new orders.
Five of the seven activity indices in the PMI expanded in March, with a “clear divergence” between manufacturing sectors, according to Ai Group statistics. This included consumption of food and other household manufactured goods, which led to increased sales figures, production, new orders, finished stocks, and deliveries.
Food and beverage manufacturing sectors remained unchanged at 59 points and the chemicals industry increased by 1.2 points to 50.1 points. Both sectors reported a spike in sales, production and new orders,
Critical energy works need to continue: Energy Networks Australia
while the other manufacturing sectors all contract during difficult trading periods.
“With over 920,000 jobs at stake, and much of the sector critical to the supply of food, sanitisation and health needs and the infrastructure and supply chains that support them, every effort should be made to keep manufacturing businesses going for as long as they can operate safely,” Willox said.
Energy Networks Australia has said in a statement that energy networks in the country need to reassure their customers to know they are doing everything they can to keep the power on, gas flowing and the energy system safe and reliable.
The statement also mentions that there is a need to continue critical maintenance to protect lives, prevent damage to properties and keep the power on for the future.
Referred to as a planned outage, this critical preventive maintenance is needed to ensure customers continue to receive a reliable supply of energy. It means that the supply of electricity or gas will sometimes be temporarily interrupted so the work can be done safely and efficiently.
Energy Networks Australia CEO, Andrew Dillon, said networks
Energy networks are doing everything they can to minimise disruption while these urgent works are undertaken during the COVID-19 crisis.
recognised planned outages caused inconvenience, particularly given the current crisis, but the work that was being undertaken was absolutely essential to ensure a safe and secure energy system.
“We understand many customers are working from home during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, however, to ensure you are able to continue to have power for weeks to come, critical maintenance must continue,” Dillon said.
“It is likely that restrictions relating to COVID-19 will continue for several months. Networks are doing everything they can to minimise disruption while these urgent works are undertaken.
“For some critical work, power will be disrupted for a few hours. This is designed to avoid potentially catastrophic faults that could cause long term outages and put customer safety at risk.
“Please respect the crews performing these works, they are doing so to protect you and your families and ensure the safe and reliable supply of energy.”
Dillon mentioned in the release that energy networks were taking steps to minimise disruptions and ensure critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, have secure supplies.
“We ask for your patience as networks continue to carry out critical works,” Dillon said.
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SA manufacturer to produce face masks against COVID-19
Detmold is the latest in a line of Australian companies rising up to the challenge of COVID-19.
A South Australian packaging manufacturer will begin making millions of surgical masks and respirators from its Adelaide factory to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The federal government and South Australian government have reached an agreement with Detmold Group to produce 145 million masks – 100 million for the National Medical Stockpile and 45 million for South Australia.
The company will employ up to an extra 160 staff in the coming months and will invest more than $1 million in local supplies that will support other Australian businesses.
Industry, science and technology minister Karen Andrews said Detmold was the latest in a line of Australian companies rising up to the challenge of COVID-19.
“This is a fantastic example of how our strong manufacturing base in Australia puts us in a position to be able to make more of the medical supplies we need during the outbreak of this virus,” she said.
“We have a sufficient supply of masks at the moment, but this work will ensure we sustain that supply over the months ahead.
Forty-five million masks will go directly to the South Australia through the SA government, and another 100 million will be distributed around Australia by the federal government.
“This new production line won’t be up and running overnight, that’s why we’re attacking this challenge from all angles, including continuing work to secure further masks out there in the market,” Andrews said.
“This agreement also shows the great collaboration on display between the different levels of government and we will continue to work with the states and territories to secure the supplies we need.”
Australian textile and clothing manufacturers will also enter a round table discussion with the government about producing surgical gowns this week.
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Industry calls for continued manufacturing during COVID-19
The Australian Workers Union (AWU) and Ai Group have united to call for continued domestic manufacturing to support households, business, community organisations and health providers.
In a joint statement, Ai Group CEO Innes Willox and AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said it was “crucial” that businesses, particularly in the food processing, packaging, pharmaceuticals,
chemicals and health industries, kept their operations running.
Willox and Walton believed unemployment in the manufacturing sector should be a key consideration for limiting any economic activity.
Both leaders said business closures would be “costly and hazardous”.
“Many manufacturing businesses cannot be turned off and on with the flick of a switch,” the statement said.
Retaining employment, limiting business closures and containing the spread of coronavirus were cited as key priorities.
“These extra costs and risks need to be weighed in any assessment of a shut down. If they can operate safely, they should remain open.”
Both organisations welcomed extended social distancing measures and believed large parts of the economy could run without infringing the rules.
“Businesses in metal production and fabrication, glass making, cement production, paper production, and building products manufacturing – along with many other areas of manufacturing – can operate safely within social distancing guidelines,” the statement said.
Retaining employment, limiting business closures and containing the spread of coronavirus were cited as key priorities, according to the statement.
“History suggests unemployment rises much faster than it falls,” the statement said.
“The costs of unemployment – both human and economic – last for many years beyond the passing of the economic downturn. Many people, particularly those who are older and less skilled, will never be re-employed.”
More than 920,000 people are directly employed in Australia’s manufacturing sector.
Construction commences for first OPV in WA
The department of defence has announced the first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) will be built in Western Australia as part of the federal government’s $90 billion Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program.
This will be the third of twelve Arafura class OPVs, and the first to be built at the Civmec shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.
Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds said in the media release that this is the next step in the government’s naval shipbuilding program that will keep Australia safe and deliver jobs for a long time.
“This government’s investment in Australia’s naval shipbuilding program demonstrates our commitment to strong border protection over greater distances than is currently possible, and our commitment in the local economy and creating more jobs for Australian workers,” Reynolds said.
Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price said the OPV program is a key foundation in the government’s enhancement of Australia’s industrial skill base, growing both capacity and workers’ skills to build and maintain Australia’s sovereign maritime capability.
“The Arafura program is creating jobs across the supply-chain, and I have heard first-hand from over 100 Aussie businesses about how they are benefiting from being an essential part of construction,” Price said.
She also congratulated Luerssen, Civmec and their entire teams for “exceeding their commitment to Australian Industry Capability which is having substantial positive flow-on effects right across Australia” during the COVID-19 crisis that the country is going through.
The first two vessels are already under construction by Luerssen Australia and ASC in Adelaide.
The first two vessels are already under construction by Luerssen Australia and ASC in Adelaide.
The remaining ten vessels will be constructed by Luerssen Australia and Civmec at Henderson in Western Australia under the SEA1180 OPV program.
Luerssen Australia is the Prime Contractor working with key
shipbuilding partners Civmec in Western Australia and ASC OPV Shipbuilder in South Australia to deliver the OPV capability for the Royal Australian Navy.
The program will replace and improve upon the capability delivered by the Armidale Class and Cape Class Patrol Boats which entered service in 2005.
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$70m on offer for renewable hydrogen
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has opened applications for $70 million for two or more large scale renewable hydrogen projects.
The funding, first announced in November 2019, is looking to enable hydrogen to be produced in Australia from renewable energy sources at a competitive price, or “H2 under $2”.
The funding hopes to spark the growth of a large-scale domestic hydrogen industry which could both reduce energy costs for Australian manufacturers if the hydrogen is sold locally, or provide a new market for Australian manufacturers, particularly those supplying the oil and gas industry.
Producing hydrogen in Australia is one way that think tanks, such as Beyond Zero Emissions, see the resurgence of a globally competitive Australian manufacturing sector, powered by cost-competitive renewable energy.
The current round of funding goes beyond previous initiatives, said ARENA CEO, Darren Miller.
“With this significant investment we expect to take the sector to the next level. We’ve supported a range of feasibility studies and pilot projects over the past two years, but now we need to start the journey of producing hydrogen at scale,” he said.
Proponents are invited to submit expressions of interest for projects with electrolysers of a minimum of 5MW capacity, and a preference for 10MW or larger. The projects must be powered by renewable electricity, whether directly or through power
The funding hopes to spark the growth of a large-scale domestic hydrogen industry.
purchase agreements or large-scale generation certificates.
With cheap, renewable hydrogen produced locally, Australian manufacturers of ammonia and other chemicals will be able to certify these products as renewable and sustainable. There is also the potential for hydrogen to replace other fuels in energy-intensive manufacturing processes, such as steel making.
“Australia is well placed to become a major renewable hydrogen producer and exporter. We are blessed with some of the world’s best wind and solar resources, a large sparsely populated landmass, and as a major energy and resources exporter, we are already an experienced and trusted trading partner for countries like Japan and South Korea that will be the future hydrogen importers,” said Miller.
Chemical industry expands domestic production
The Australian chemistry industry has expanded domestic manufacturing to meet demand for a range of products facing shortages.
Chemistry Australia CEO Samantha Read said the sector manufactures and supplies raw materials and other products to 108 of 114 industries, which are crucial to supporting and preserving the health of Australians.
“Many of our chemical manufacturers are being approached to adapt their manufacturing facilities to meet the unprecedented demand for a broad range of products, including sanitiser and PPE,” she said.
“However, this additional capacity will be lost if they are forced to close under new rules.
“It is vital that any new measures are coordinated and well-focused to increase and diversify critical manufacturing capability, not prevent it.”
Inputs by the chemical industry include key materials for manufacturing medical equipment, sanitisers, disinfectants and cleaning products.
It also supplies and distributes and distributes water treatments and packaging that enable crop protection, fertilisers and irrigation.
“The industry is doing all it can to assist state and federal governments by leveraging capability,” Read said.
“We ask governments to continue to engage with us and our members so that we can provide advice on the
implications of any new proposals.”
The chemical industry, which is the third largest in Australia, has warned against shuttering the sector as new rules to prevent non-essential activity come into effect.
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ACCIONA to build 1026 MW wind farm in Queensland
The windfarm will generate clean energy for up to 700,000 homes and eliminate three million tons of CO2 emissions a year.
Global renewable energy company ACCIONA has announced will build a $1.96 million wind farm in partnership with the Queensland government’s clean energy generator CleanCo.
The proposed MacIntyre complex project, due to begin construction in mid-2021, will be located about 50 km south-west of Warwick and feature up to 180 turbines to generate 1,026 megawatts of clean electricity.
The 36,000-ha site was selected for its exposure to consistent winds across land that has been used mostly for sheep farming, about 200 km south-west of Brisbane.
Current farming activities will continue during the construction and operation phases of the wind farm.
About 64 kilometres of transmission lines will connect the wind complex to the grid, which is expected to be in full operation by 2024.
The MacIntyre complex, which will supply CleanCo with 400MW of power for ten years through a power purchase agreement, will become one of the world’s largest onshore wind farms.
It will be powered by German manufacturer Nordex Group’s latest Delta4000 turbines, each with a capacity of 5.7MW.
The windfarm will generate clean energy for up to 700,000 homes and eliminate three million tons of CO2 emissions a year.
ACCIONA will develop and own 926 megawatts, and a further 100 megawatts will be built and owned by CleanCo.
Spanish company ACCIONA has developed wind farms in Australia since 2002, where it has powered more than 285,000 homes across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
Commonwealth joins Vic gov in funding for ventilator manufacturing
The federal government has joined its Victorian counterparts in supporting Australian manufacturers who are providing critical medical products.
On April 9, federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, announced that Grey Innovation would receive $31.3 million from the Commonwealth to produce ventilators.
This grant comes in addition to the $500,000 Grey Innovation had received from the Victorian government. Grey Innovation is leading a consortium of manufacturers to produce ventilators. The life-saving equipment enables those with COVID-19 symptoms that limit their ability to breathe.
According to Andrews, Grey innovation will produce 2,000 of the ventilators.
“This is another great example of Australian industry and the private sector working with our Government to ensure critical supply of medical equipment during the outbreak of this virus,” she said.
The funding is the latest round of targeted support for the Australian manufacturing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, which have encouraged collaboration across sectors to ensure that needed supplies are being produced locally.
“This deal demonstrates the power of bringing Aussie manufacturers and clinicians together and is also a reflection of the highly advanced manufacturing capability that exists in our country,” said Andrews.
“It also shows the incredible collaborative spirit that’s been on display as we respond to this unprecedented pandemic. Companies which are normally in competition are working together for the greater good.”
According to Grey Innovation executive chair Jefferson Harcourt, the network of advanced manufacturers in Victoria has enabled businesses in the state to flexibly respond to changed needs.
“Victoria has the highest concentration of leading engineering and manufacturing companies in Australia, and as such, we are well placed to work together to build the Notus emergency invasive ventilators as quickly as possible,” Harcourt said.
“We thank the Federal and
The life-saving equipment enables those with COVID-19 symptoms that limit their ability to breathe.
Victorian Governments and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre for their support of the vision and rapid response to get the program under way, and are overwhelmed by the willingness of our industry colleagues to respond in this critical hour of need.”
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AMGC introduces portal to help manufacturers through COVID-19
The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has introduced a portal for Australian manufacturers and component suppliers for supporting the national response to coronavirus.
Currently, the portal has received more than 850 submissions from the industry to help the sector fight COVID-19 since their national portal launch.
The portal aims to support Australian manufacturers with its online Manufacturing Academy learning portal to provide bespoke online webinars.
State and federal government tenders and expressions of interest will be broadcast through the organisation’s website and social media platforms.
AMGC managing director Jens Goennemann said Australian manufacturers want to assist but may be unsure of where to start.
“By developing this portal, we will be able to gain a clear understanding of the skills, supplies and capabilities that exist right now, and potentially connect them with the right government department or manufacturer,”
“Manufacturers are already putting their hand up saying ‘I could supply goods to support COVID-19 efforts, but I have some gaps in equipment,
The portal aims to support Australian manufacturers with its online Manufacturing Academy learning portal to provide bespoke online webinars.
knowledge or processes’ – in some instances we’ve been able to assist in these linkages via AMGC’s expansive network.”
Goennmann said the manufacturing sector will play a significant role in Australia’s recovery as businesses continue to navigate challenges.
“Together, as a nation, we will emerge from this resilient, stronger, and more self-sufficient than ever before,” he said.
Current registrations ranged from broad manufacturing competencies to materials and skills sets.
Goennemann said a number of manufacturers have already been identified and connected for their ability to play a role in pressing issues.
“We will be sure to share these success stories when the outcomes are made public,” he said.
“We are spreading the word of this national register.
“The broad manufacturing network has done us all proud with many federal and state agencies and other industry bodies sharing this portal widely.”
AMGC continues to monitor portal content for surplus items that manufacturers may use in order to match supply and demand.
The portal remains open for registrations to draw on industry expertise as the organisation works with government and the sector to identify needs and priorities.
Two thousand seven hundred Victorian small businesses will receive payroll tax refunds as part of the government’s $500 million Business Support Fund grants to support the state’s economy.
The first portion of the funding will see the government put $52 million directly into the bank accounts of business owners.
More than 21,000 small businesses have been contacted about their refunds, with more than 30,000 employers who don’t pay payroll tax eligible for $10,000 grants.
Premier Daniel Andrews said it was important for the government to act quickly to help businesses survive the impacts of coronavirus.
“We’re getting money out the door and into the bank accounts of struggling businesses as quickly as possible,” he said.
More than $1.1 billion has been paid to businesses in the past week, which exceeded the target of $750 million in fast-tracked payments.
“We’re making sure more Victorian businesses can access payroll tax refunds to help them weather this storm and get through to the other side,” treasurer Tim Pallas said.
National Cabinet has announced strict new quarantine measures to slow the spread of coronavirus, as most current Victorian cases of coronavirus were connected to returned overseas travellers.
The government will continue to work closely with business, unions and in consultation with the Commonwealth to announce further support in the coming weeks and months.
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Government funding support for clean energy startups
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $480,000 in funding over the next 12 months to start-up accelerator program, EnergyLab Australia, to support the Australian startup acceleration program designed to assist clean energy entrepreneurs.
EnergyLab has four core programs: 1) Pre-Acceleration which is about helping entrepreneurs with an idea to test its commercial viability. 2) Acceleration – This is EnergyLab’s flagship program that helps the most promising energy startups launch a product into the market, secure first customers and raise a seed funding round. 3) Scale Up – This program provides late-stage energy startups with introductions to decision-makers at Australia’s most innovative energy utilities, mentorship from Australia’s most successful energy-sector founders, and advice from Australia’s most active energy-sector investors. 4) Women in Clean Energy Fellowship which is about equipping women interested in energy entrepreneurship with the skills, knowledge and support they need to start a company.
Recruitment of entrepreneurs and startups for the Scale Up program is underway now, with chosen applicants to be announced later in 2020.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the project would help Australia’s brightest clean energy entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality.
“Startups and entrepreneurs play an important role in accelerating the uptake of clean energy solutions, however, they can also face challenges in reaching scale and aren’t equipped to overcome hurdles such as high capital requirements, geographic constraints and revenue delay. EnergyLab, through mentoring and supporting startups, will help us to see an increase in expertise, skills and capacity in the renewable energy technology sector and identify pathways to commercialisation to keep Australia at the forefront of renewable energy innovation,” Miller said.
“ARENA’s support will enable us to do even more to support Australia’s leading clean energy entrepreneurs,” EnergyLab CEO James Tilbury said.
“In particular, this funding allows us to launch a Scale Up Program to provide the best late-stage energy startups with the support they need to reach their full potential.”
Since 2017, EnergyLab has supported over 80 Australian energy startups through its programs. This includes the innovative energy retailer Amber Electric that allows customers to reduce their energy costs via access to wholesale electricity prices. Amber Electric recently closed a $2.5 million funding round.
Recruitment of entrepreneurs and startups for the Scale Up program is underway now, with chosen applicants to be announced later in 2020.
EnergyLab is supported by a number of energy industry stakeholders such as Origin Energy, APA Group, Powerlink, The University of Technology Sydney, Ausnet Services, Climate-KIC, KPMG, Aperion Law, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
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