Western Australia is putting manufacturing at the forefront of its clean-energy strategy, with the state government announcing that more than 4,500 household batteries have now been installed through its Residential Battery Scheme.
According to the WA government, the scheme has received over 18,000 applications since opening on 1 July, with eligibility expanded to an estimated 100,000 households through joint support from the Cook and Albanese governments.
Officials said the initiative is now being reinforced by a $50 million Local Battery Manufacturing Program, which opened to local manufacturers today.
The program includes $30 million in grants – offering up to $5 million per proponent on a matched-funding basis – to help local manufacturers scale their capacity to supply competitive residential batteries.
A further $20 million will be made available through low-interest loans, with applications set to open early next year.
Premier Roger Cook said the government’s focus is on strengthening the State’s economy while backing Western Australians’ role in the renewable transition.
“My government’s priority is to diversify Western Australia’s nation-leading economy by becoming a renewable energy powerhouse,” Cook said.
“Through our household rebates, we’re ensuring Western Australian families are at the forefront of the State’s renewable energy future… Now, we’re extending our support to manufacturers so that local businesses can also be involved.”
Energy, Decarbonisation and Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the Residential Battery Scheme is delivering long-term value for households.
“Our Residential Battery Scheme is the best in Australia, delivering real, ongoing cost-of-living relief through reduced power bills,” she said.
“The Local Battery Manufacturing Program extends those benefits to local battery manufacturers by supporting them to increase capacity to take advantage of increased demand.”
More information is available through the WA Government’s Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.
