Our Strategic Priorities
We support the companies and institutions that are building our future energy system.
Our strategic priorities are focused on strengthening key areas that will help create a smooth transition to renewable energy. These are listed below and included in the latest Corporate Plan and General Funding Strategy.
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 Future Fuels 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:
Read more
ARENAWIRE Blogs
Hydrogen deal unites Australian innovation with German expertise
Joint funding deal aims to stimulate innovation and cut costs around renewable hydrogen production.
How ARENA’s future will build on its past
What principles will guide ARENA into its second decade of supporting the global transition to net zero emissions? Look no further than its past.
Have your say on proposed Safeguard Mechanism reforms
Consultation process has opened on proposed reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism, which the Government says it expects to deliver a total of 205 million tonnes of greenhouse gas abatement by the end of the decade.
