Strategic priorities

Priority 1. Optimise the transition to renewable electricity

We are helping Australia move towards a lower-cost, largely renewable electricity system, both on and off the grid, that is able to meet significantly higher domestic and export demand.

To do so, we commit funds to support innovation that will help to:

• Enable ultra low-cost renewable generation
• Improve the economics of energy storage
• Optimise integration of large-scale renewable energy into the electricity system.
• Support flexible demand.

Apply for funding through the Advancing Renewables Program.

Funding may also be available through the targeted Government programs listed under Funding Opportunities.

Priority 2. Commercialise clean hydrogen

We are supporting industry to find innovative solutions that can help Australia establish a viable clean hydrogen industry and realise our potential as a significant exporter of clean energy.

This will require innovation across the full hydrogen value chain including cheap, firmed renewable electricity, a step change in electrolyser technology, as well as rapid proving and scaling of hydrogen use cases.

Under this investment priority, we will provide funding to:

• Support a viable clean hydrogen industry across the full value chain

Read about our hydrogen project requirements.

Apply for funding through the Advancing Renewables Program.

Funding may also be available through the targeted Government programs listed under Funding Opportunities.

Priority 3. Support the transition to low emissions metals

We will help Australian industry to reduce emissions by investing in innovative and replicable technologies, processes and commercial models that have the potential to lower emissions.

We will provide funding to:

• Accelerate the transition to a low emissions steel value chain
• Accelerate the transition to a low emissions aluminium value chain.

Apply for funding through the Advancing Renewables Program.

Funding may also be available through the targeted Government programs listed under Funding Opportunities.

Priority 4. Decarbonise land transport

We plan to support innovation that will accelerate the decarbonisation of land transport in Australia, with the goal of reaching net zero emissions in this sector by 2050.

Apply for funding through the Driving the Nation Program.

Deliver the targeted programs in the 2020-21 Federal Budget

In addition to delivering the above strategic priorities, we are also recognised for our expertise in providing grant funding on behalf of the Australian Government to improve the competitiveness and supply of renewable energy in Australia. As part of the 2020-2021 Federal Budget, the Government provided ARENA with $193 million to deliver the following targeted programs:

• Driving the Nation Program
• Industrial Energy Transformation Studies Program
• Regional Australia Microgrids Pilot Program