Grants from $20,000 and up to $1 million to scope out and implement projects using organic waste to produce bioenergy to increase renewable energy generation.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
What is the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
Sustainability Victoria (SV) is supporting bioenergy project development and implementation through the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy, with $10 million available to support the sector to increase renewable energy generation for projects located in Victoria – the biggest ever Victorian grant funding investment in bioenergy.
A wide range of sectors will be considered for support, including:
- agricultural and livestock
- forestry
- food production
- food retail
- wastewater management
Funding will support projects at different stages of their development via two streams:
- Stream 1: Project development – supports applicants to scope, test, and gain approvals to achieve pre-construction and pre-financial phases of a bioenergy project
- Stream 2: Project infrastructure – supports applicants with a proven business case in the purchase, construction and commissioning of infrastructure to convert organic matter to bioenergy
What is the level of support of the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
Grant:
- Stream 1: between $20,000 and $250,000
- Stream 2: between $50,000 and $1 million
Cocontribution:
- Stream 1: must match SV funding on a 1:1 basis
- Stream 2: must contribute $2 for every $1 of SV funding
Not-for-profits, charities, community groups, co-operatives and research institutes must contribute $1 for every $2 of SV funding under both streams
Co-contributions must be financial (cash). In-kind contributions are not permitted.
Multiple applications for different projects are permitted.
What are the important dates of the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
What are the objectives and outcomes of the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
Sustainability Victoria (SV) fund aims to support the development of innovative bioenergy projects and business models to facilitate best-practice infrastructure that builds capability and capacity in Victoria’s bioenergy sector. It will support organisations to dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly way while reducing their operational costs, including energy bills.
For full details of project objectives and outcomes see the Fund overview on the funding website for Stream 1 or Stream 2.
How to get Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy funding?
Applicants should read and understand the guidelines on the SV website for Stream 1 or Stream 2.
Successful applicants will provide a compelling case against all assessment criteria. They will clearly demonstrate a need for funding, detail a project that meets the objectives of the relevant stream, describe a team with the capacity and capability to deliver, and a project plan that will successfully deliver the project in its entirety within the proposed implementation timeline.
Check out our How to Prepare Before You Apply insight.
Most importantly, and before you start an application, you need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below will not be considered.
Check out How to write a successful grant application to learn more about how to win government grants for your business. Our in-depth eBook is the single most valuable resource you will find that helps organisations to truly understand how to win government grants. Follow the link to get your copy of the Guide to Winning Grants.
Is my organisation eligible for the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
Funding is available to applicants that propose to generate bioenergy using organic materials and can demonstrate that this solution is the best value option in the Waste Hierarchy.
Eligible organisations include:
- businesses, industry groups or associations
- local government
- research institutes
- Charities
- Community Groups
- Social Enterprises
- other Not-For-Profit organisations
Individuals and unincorporated associations are ineligible
Consultants may apply as a Lead Applicant in a Collaborative Partnership only and must be organisations not individuals.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are encouraged to apply.
What additional requirements ensure my eligibility for the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
Eligible projects
Applicants must:
- be legally constituted organisations
- have a current ABN
- have been operating for a minimum of 12 months (Stream 1) or 2 years (Stream 2) by the application closing date
- be able to demonstrate financial viability to undertake the project (will meet or exceed the minimum co-contribution requirement)
- agree to comply with the Terms of Participation in Grant Programs
- agree to comply with the funding terms and conditions:
- for grants $50,000 or less read the Short-form grant funding agreement
- for grants more than $50,000 read the General grant funding agreement.
What projects are eligible for the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
Funding will support projects that create bioenergy from organic waste, the output of which may be electricity, heat, gas or liquid fuels. Funding is also available to develop end uses for the residual products created by the treatment process.
- Stream 1 funds project development, with a focus on feasibility studies, technical studies or the development of business cases relating to a proposed facility that will generate energy from organic waste, as well as projects needing support in pre-financial close stages
- Stream 2 funds project infrastructure for proposed facilities that require capital to generate bioenergy from organic material in the form of heat, electricity, renewable gas, or liquid fuels.
- Stream 2 projects must have a proven business case and co-financing support to proceed with infrastructure purchase and have selected the chosen technology.
Both streams will support projects that:
- use agricultural cropping residues, such as cereal straw and chaff
- use waste and manure from poultry, dairy, piggeries, and other animal operations
- use general food waste from commercial and industrial hospitality and retail operations
- use food manufacturing and processing wastes
- use forestry wood residues from forest harvesting and wood processing as a feedstock
- are small scale bioenergy projects using fruit and vegetable waste from horticulture residues
- generate energy from paper and pulp manufacturing and related processing waste
- process biosolids, sewage and sludge waste
Ineligible projects include those that:
- take place or service outside Victoria
- do not comply with regulations
- do not demonstrate a need for funding and/or value for money
- do not recover and reprocess organic waste to generate bioenergy
- use banned and hazardous waste materials
- use native forestry timber as a feedstock.
For full details of eligible and ineligible projects see Eligibility on the funding website for Stream 1 or Stream 2.
Western Water’s waste to energy facility in Melton is an example of a successful project. The facility uses anaerobic digestion to extract biogas from organic waste, which is then converted into electricity that powers the facility and other Western Water sites.
What expenditure is eligible for support from the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
Stream 1 costs that will be funded include:
- technology selection costs
- feedstock identification and end market research and development
- conducting laboratory testing of incoming feedstock
- engineering, procurement, and construction tendering related costs
- consultancy or contract work required for the project
- conducting testing required for approvals
- planning and regulatory approval costs.
Stream 2 costs that will be funded include:
- capital purchases supporting machinery for new project development and upgrades or additions to existing bioenergy infrastructure or equipment
- construction and commissioning costs.
Ineligible costs for both streams include:
- lease or purchase of land
- routine or cyclical maintenance works
- operating costs
- facility repairs that should be covered by insurance
- purchase of vehicles
- marketing, advertising and promotional costs
- travel and accommodation.
For full details of eligible and ineligible costs see Eligibility on the funding website for Stream 1 or Stream 2.
How do you apply for the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
Applications are now open via the SmartyGrants website.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to learn more.
What information do I need to prepare for lodging a Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy application?
The assessment criteria require you to address the What, Who, How and Why of your project, which will include the following information:
- a description of the problem to be addressed and organic materials targeted
- current intervention measures and other solutions explored
- estimates of bioenergy generated, and greenhouse gas abated
- estimate of jobs created
- a list of project team members and their experience in delivering similar renewable energy projects and/or an understanding of regulatory and planning approvals and pathways
- a project plan listing key milestones
- demonstrated financial viability, including evidence of co-contribution
- a risk management plan
- a stakeholder engagement strategy
For further details of information required to address the assessment criteria see the Assessment process on the funding website for Stream 1 or Stream 2.
What is the assessment criteria of the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
| Ref | Criteria | Weighting |
| 1 | Alignment with fund objectives | 40% |
| 2 | Ability of the applicant to successfully deliver the project | 30% |
| 3 | Viability of the project plan to successfully deliver the project | 20% |
| 4 | Demonstrable need for funding | 10% |
For detailed assessment criteria see the Assessment process on the funding website for Stream 1 or Stream 2.
Need help applying for the Waste to Energy Fund: Bioenergy?
Is your business eligible for this government grant? Or perhaps you’re not sure and want to know more?
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