The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched the AU$500 million (US$324m) Battery Breakthrough Initiative (BBI), aimed at accelerating domestic battery manufacturing and strengthening Australia’s clean energy supply chain.
Battery Breakthrough Initiative funding will target three core areas:
- Active materials: including cathode, anode and electrolyte production
- Battery cell manufacturing: supporting cell and component fabrication
- Battery pack assembly: integrating cells or modules into complete packs
The initiative is a key pillar of the National Battery Strategy and aligns with the Future Made in Australia (FMA) policy agenda’s Economic Resilience and Security stream. It was developed in consultation with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) and other stakeholders.
Funding may take the form of capital grants, production incentives or other mechanisms deemed appropriate by ARENA. Programme guidelines and support materials are now available, with the submission portal opening in August 2025. Applications will be accepted until funds are fully allocated or the programme is extended or closed.
“Energy storage is a critical enabling technology for our renewable energy future,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller. “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.
“BBI will enhance Australia’s battery manufacturing capability, improve supply chain resilience and battery manufacturing processes, and foster innovation.”
