Up to $4 million to provide source of funding for the implementation of innovative clean energy projects in Western Australia that offer high public value.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Clean Energy Future Fund (CEFF)
The Clean Energy Future Fund supports the implementation of innovative clean energy projects in Western Australia that offer high public value through the following outcomes:
- significant, cost-effective reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below projected (or baseline) emissions as a direct result of the clean energy project
- design, deployment, testing or demonstration of innovative clean energy projects likely to deliver community benefits or lead to broad adoption and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
As part of the Sectoral emissions reduction strategy released in December 2023, the State Government is investing an additional $18 million to 2030‒31 ($11.2 million to 2026‒27) to expand the Clean Energy Future Fund, to support trials and implementation of new technologies necessary for Western Australia’s net zero transition.
The Clean Energy Future Fund was first launched in 2020 and is administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation with support from Energy Policy WA.
CEFF level of support
Grants
- Minimum amount – $100,000
- Maximum amount – $4 million
- Maximum percentage of eligible project costs the grant can cover: 25%
Co-contribution
An in-kind contribution is any non-monetary contribution of goods or services for the project by the applicant. Eligible in-kind contributions from the applicant can cover any of the listed types of eligible project costs.
Applicants must provide sufficient detail of proposed in-kind contributions to enable assessment of whether the valuation is reasonable. This is elaborated further in the Financial Model template.
CEFF important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
CEFF objectives and outcomes
The objective of the Fund is to provide a source of funding for the implementation of innovative, clean energy projects in Western Australia that offer high public value through contributing to one or more of the following outcomes:
- significant, cost-effective reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below projected (or baseline) emissions as a direct result of the clean energy project
- design, deployment, testing or demonstration of innovative clean energy projects likely to deliver community benefits or lead to broad adoption and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Projects and expenditure eligible for CEFF support
Location
- The applicant must be able to demonstrate that the project will take place primarily in Western Australia.
Clean energy project
- The proposal must be a clean energy project. That is, it must deploy or apply a technology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the production or use of stationary energy. This could include energy control or management systems, renewable energy, energy storage and/or energy efficiency. It must be permissible by law.
Prescribed funding limits
- Applications requesting more than $4 million (GST exclusive) will be considered on merit and will not be excluded on this basis. However, the State Government may offer less funding than the amount sought by an applicant and may attach conditions or requirements to any funding offer.
- If a proposal has existing State Government funding, this will be counted within the 25% maximum that can be sought from the Fund.
Timing
- A Funding Agreement must be signed within six months of receiving written notification of the funding award. The project must commence within six months of signing the Funding Agreement and be completed within five years.
Ineligible project types include but are not limited to:
- projects that are already underway
- the cessation of the operation of a business to reduce emissions
- business-as-usual activities (i.e. normal operation of an existing business or venture)
- early-stage research (i.e. Technical Readiness Level 1 to 5 [see section 10 of the guidelines])
- projects not involving specific sites/locations in Western Australia.
Eligible costs
- Applicants must declare whether the project will leverage any Australian Government or other State Government funding in the business case and application form. State Government funding may comprise a maximum of 25 per cent of total project costs.
Eligible costs include:
- capital costs associated with renewable energy generation equipment, energy efficiency equipment, electrification of equipment or processes, decarbonisation with associated energy efficiency improvements, and other emissions and energy related projects
- essential enabling equipment including batteries, other forms of energy storage, system control equipment, system power or energy conversion equipment, monitoring or communications equipment and structures used for housing power-system equipment
- essential non-equipment expenditure including design, professional services, transport, installation and commissioning related to the attainment of a project objective or milestone
- project management costs and grant administration costs.
Examples of ineligible costs:
- land acquisition
- venture capital extended to third parties
- purchase of carbon credits
- legal costs such as those associated with preparing grant applications, finalising, or managing compliance with, a funding agreement
- costs associated with core business or business-as-usual activities
- ongoing administrative and operational costs including rent, electricity and salaries of existing staff working their usual hours and duties
- works already financially committed, underway or completed when the funding round closes (including but not limited to contracts already in place to construct infrastructure or buy equipment or where construction has commenced)
- ongoing maintenance of projects to which organisations have committed as part of a previous grant
- costs of preparing applications, reports or associated supporting material for the purposes of applying for the funding or entering the funding agreement.
See the guidelines for full details of projects and expenditure eligible for CEFF support.
Other CEFF important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for CEFF support
To be eligible for funding, an applicant must meet the criteria below:
Incorporation
- At the time of entering into a Funding Agreement, the applicant must be an Australian entity incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) or a local government entity, government research organisation, university, or a consortium with an eligible entity as lead applicant.
ABN and GST
- The applicant must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be GST registered.
Sanctions
- The applicant must not be listed in the Australian trade sanctions consolidated list.
Fit and proper persons
The members of the management team must be fit and proper persons to engage in the applicant’s authorised activities by reference to:
- no disqualification by law from performing their role
- no conflict of interest or other conflict that may create a material risk that they will fail to properly perform in their management role
- their legal right to carry out and control the project under consideration.
Ineligible entities:
- a school
- a trust
- an Australian Government or State Government department
- a sole trader or individual
- an overseas organisation (i.e. an organisation that does not hold an ABN or Australian Company Number)
- an unincorporated association.
See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for CEFF support.
CEFF assessment criteria
The assessment process is designed to identify projects with the highest expected value for each dollar of funding requested. This is done by evaluating the:
- benefits of the project if successful
- likelihood of the project succeeding
- demonstrated need for the grant.
Benefits if successful – Applications should demonstrate value to the state if successful. Expected benefits are measured against three weighted criteria related to the Fund’s objectives:
- emissions reduction (50%)
- potential for wider adoption (35%)
- other benefits (15%).
- More detail on the elements assessed for each component is provided under section 3.1 of the guidelines.
Likelihood of success with funding – This criterion considers the likelihood of the project succeeding and the likely extent of success. It has three components:
- technical feasibility
- applicant capability
- financial viability.
- More detail on the elements assessed for each component is provided under section 3.2 of the guidelines.
Need for the grant – This considers the need for the grant, and the extent to which the grant would contribute to the success of the project. The following elements contribute to the assessment:
- whether the grant is necessary ‒ that is, if the project’s internal rate of return without the grant is greater than the applicant’s investment threshold (if so, is there a reason that commercial investors can’t be found?)
- whether the project has already started, or significant capital has been committed
- whether there are any existing legal or regulatory requirements for emissions reduction that apply to the applicant’s operations.
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
How do I get the CEFF?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
To be competitive, projects will need to demonstrate high value (such as emissions reduction), a high likelihood of success, and a clear need for the grant funding.
Information to prepare for the CEFF application
A financial model spreadsheet is provided to applicants to assist with provision of information on the proposal. Two versions are available from the Clean Energy Future Fund – Round 3 documents webpage:
- a worked example version to demonstrate how the model works
- a blank version for use in preparing applications.
Support using the financial model is available from ceff@dwer.wa.gov.au or phone (08) 6364 6988.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the CEFF
Submit your application online through the SmartyGrants portal.
Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
CEFF resources
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