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The NSW Labor Government is announcing $275 million in grants under the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative

12 March 2024

NSW Government earmarks $275 million for the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, aiming to make NSW a clean tech hub and generate jobs.

The NSW Labor Government is announcing $275 million in grants under the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, to secure NSW as the place to develop and manufacture clean technology and create new jobs in the process.

The Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative will support workers, small businesses, manufacturers and innovators to take advantage of the transformation of the energy grid. The move to net zero will also transform economy – and these grants will ensure NSW manufacturing is part of this revolution.

The initiative will deliver more local, secure jobs across the state, and support the diversification of the regional economies.

The investment areas are aligned to the opportunity areas identified through the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation 2023 Study, released by the Office of Chief Scientist and Engineer.

This includes future energy systems and storage, transportation, built environment, biomanufacturing, power-fuels including hydrogen and agricultural technologies.

The Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative will offer the following grants:

Renewable Manufacturing – increasing capacity to make the components for renewable energy projects, which will alleviate supply chain constraints and increase local content capability.

For example, projects could include constructing a brand-new facility for the manufacture of solar cells, or supply chain parts for renewable energy transmission.
Clean Technology Innovation – helping businesses get scalable low-emission technologies, market-ready.

For instance, prototypes of next generation residential batteries, or new laboratory equipment that can test a material’s ability to store hydrogen atoms.
Low Carbon Product Manufacturing – establishing industrial facilities and manufacturing capabilities that can take advantage of investment in new and emerging low carbon industries.

For example, building a new facility for the manufacture of low-carbon laminate timber, or implementing a new production line within an existing biomass facility for manufacturing bio-diesel.

The initiative will focus on already lab-proven technologies and the manufacturing of market-ready products that are ready to be scaled up and rolled out across NSW.

This will support NSW’s 5 Renewable Energy Zones and hydrogen hubs, giving them access to more materials produced in NSW.

Chris Minns, Premier of NSW said:

“The Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative offers funding for small and medium businesses wanting to pilot new technology within their premises."

"These grants will bolster local manufacturing in the renewables and clean-technology industries, ultimately delivering more local, secure jobs."

"This is all about supporting and backing NSW businesses, manufacturers and innovators to develop homegrown technology and products right here in the state, and securing the jobs and skills we need for a renewable energy future.”

Penny Sharpe, Minister for Climate Change and Energy declared:

“NSW is undergoing a transformation of our energy grid, and this will also transform our economy."

“There are incredible opportunities for small, medium and large businesses to be a part of this."

“These grants are all about ensuring NSW manufacturing is part of this revolution. They will lead to new secure, long-term jobs that are good for the planet but also build wealth in local communities and give NSW security and sovereignty of the renewable energy supply chain.”

Courtney Houssos, Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement said:

"The NSW Labor Government is committed to rebuilding our domestic manufacturing industry."

“The government can play a key role as a convenor and catalyst for the renewable industry."

“For every one job in manufacturing, three-and-a-half other jobs are sustained in the supply chain. We want those secure, well-paid manufacturing jobs to be in NSW.”

Source: NSW Government