$330 million in grants to decarbonise heavy industry

The federal government has announced $330 million in grants for clean energy and emissions reduction projects at heavy industrial sites around the country.

The government’s Powering the Regions Fund is supporting nine projects  ranging from powering mine sites with renewables, eliminating the use of coal in iron pellet production, trialling the use of biocarbon in metal smelting and cutting energy use in making alumina and cement.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen made the announcement today at Cement Australia’s Railton facility in Tasmania (pictured) which will receive $52.9 million to upgrade their kiln and increase the use of alternative fuels such as waste to reduce emissions.

Other projects backed by the government include:

• $93 million for an energy efficiency upgrade at the QAL Alumina refinery in Gladstone, QLD
• $50 million to reduce emissions intensity at the Adbri cement manufacturing in Port Adelaide, SA
• $44 million for energy efficiency upgrades at Shoalhaven Starches food manufacturing in Nowra, NSW
• $35 million to power Murrin Murrin cobalt and nickel operations with renewables in Leonora, WA
• $32.9 million for emissions reduction at the CSBP chemical manufacturing facility in Kwinana, WA
• $15 million to electrify the Grange Resources Iron Ore mine in Savage River, Tas
• $5 million for fuel switching at the Grange Resources Iron Pellet plant in Port Latta, Tas
• And $700, 000 for alternative fuel trial at Liberty metals manufacturing site in Bell Bay, Tas.

These projects will also cut 830,000 tonnes of emissions every year, equivalent to taking over a quarter of a million cars off Australian roads.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said: “This $330 million investment in Australia’s hard-to-abate manufacturing and mining facilities is about securing the future of high-quality, low-emissions products made right here.

“Northern Tasmania, Central Queensland and Western Australia have been industrial powerhouses for generations, and the Albanese Government is ensuring that continues.

“As global markets change rapidly – we’re supporting Australian industry to not only survive but thrive with our world-class products that support regional jobs across the country.”

Picture: Cement Australia