Funding to support NSW manufacturing industries in the development of low carbon and renewable energy products that will grow the sector and the NSW economy.
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
- An overview of the Developing Renewable and Low Carbon Manufacturing Industries (DRLCMI) Program
- Every detail you need to know
- Resources and help to get the grant
What is the Developing Renewable and Low Carbon Manufacturing Industries (DRLCMI) program?
The Developing Renewable and Low Carbon Manufacturing Industries (DRLCMI) program supports NSW manufacturing industries to develop renewable energy and low carbon products to help grow the NSW economy.
The program is seeking registrations of interest (ROI) to help shape the nature of funding support and to identify potentially suitable projects that are investment ready and require government funding support.
Two funding streams will open in 2023:
- Low Carbon Product Manufacturing Fund to develop manufacturing of low carbon products and materials
- Renewable Manufacturing Fund to develop components for the renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors
ROI participants whose projects are considered investment-ready, time sensitive and strategically significant to apply for priority consideration when the funds open in 2023.
DRLCMI level of support
Low Carbon Product Manufacturing Fund
- Up to $300 million total funding available from 2023 to 2032
- Various funding mechanisms, including grants
- Maximum 50% of total project costs
- Co-contribution of at least 50% of total project costs
Renewable Manufacturing Fund
- Up to $250 million total funding available from 2023 to 2027
- Grants only
- Maximum 50% of total project costs
- Co-contribution of at least 50% of total project costs
DRLCMI important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
DRLCMI important details that you will need to know
DRLCMI objectives
The program aims to grow the NSW economy by investing in support for manufacturing industries to develop renewable energy and low carbon products.
The ROIs aim is to:
- identify a pipeline of projects considered suitable for future support (financial or other)
- identify investment ready, time sensitive and strategically significant projects suitable for progression to a detailed application process
- seek input from key industry stakeholders on types of government support required (financial or other) to establish and expand new low carbon and renewable energy manufacturing supply chains
Funding stream objectives are as follows:
- Low Carbon Product Manufacturing Fund
-
- Drive economic growth across NSW
- Increase investment and employment in new low carbon industries
- Support diverse, self-sufficient, resilient and competitive low carbon manufacturing sector
- Establish new industrial facilities and advanced manufacturing capabilities to help decarbonise NSW’s economy
- Renewable Manufacturing Fund
-
- Drive economic growth across NSW
- Alleviate supply chain risk for the Australian renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors
- Grow NSW supply chain capacity and capability for the renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors
Organisations eligible for DRLCMI support
To be eligible for support under the two funding streams, the lead applicant must:
- hold an ABN
- be one of the following:
- a company incorporated in Australia
- a company limited by guarantee
- an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust o an incorporated association or co-operative
- an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
- be registered for GST
- be the legal and beneficial owner of, or has all necessary rights to use, any intellectual property (IP) necessary to carry out the project
- hold all insurances required by law, including $20 million public liability insurance and workers compensation
- materially comply with all:
- obligations under employment contracts, industrial agreements and awards
- codes of conduct and practice relevant to conditions of service between the applicant and the employees employed by the applicant
- applicable workplace health and safety legislation
- not be subject to any insolvency event including the subject of an order or resolution for winding up or dissolution (other than for the purposes of reconstruction or amalgamation) or the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, administer or similar
- not be listed on the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sanctions list
- disclose any legal proceedings or investigations
- disclose all Australian Government and/or Australian state, territory grants applied for in relation to the project including history of grant funding (including both successful and unsuccessful applications).
Applicants can be based internationally, interstate or in NSW. International businesses will need an ABN, be registered for GST, have at least $20 million in public liability insurance and be an eligible entity (as listed above), to into a funding deed if they are successful.
Joint submissions are permitted provided the lead applicant satisfies the eligibility criteria. The lead applicant must complete the ROI form and identify all other project partners and their role in the submission.
Ineligible applicants include:
- Australian or NSW Government agencies, state owned corporations or statutory authorities
- local government authorities or their section 355 committees
- organisations that do not have an ABN and are unable to obtain an ABN to enter a funding deed
- unincorporated associations
- other unincorporated organisations
- an individual (including sole traders)
- partnerships
- businesses that are insolvent
See the ROI review criteria for full details of eligible and ineligible applicants.
Projects eligible for DRLCMI support
Low Carbon Product Manufacturing Fund
Manufacturing of low carbon and zero emissions products and materials using commercialised technology.
Eligible example projects include:
- low emissions building materials
- green chemicals
- power fuels and clean fuels
- agricultural products and feed
- equipment, plant or infrastructure for hydrogen end uses
- sharing industrial by-products and growing circular economy
Renewable Manufacturing Fund
Manufacturing of plant, equipment and processes needed to produce renewable energy and low carbon products (including electric vehicles) using commercialised technology.
Eligible example projects include:
- components for renewable energy such as wind towers, solar, batteries
- electrification equipment to support switching from fossil fuels to electricity
- electric vehicle components and assembly
- hydrogen electrolysers
Both funding streams focus on technologies that are commercially viable and ready for scaling up.
Lead applicants must confirm the project:
- is located in NSW
- is expected to be delivered and operational by 30 May 2026
- is sustainable without continued government investment
- is aligned to at least one objective of the program and at least one objective of the funding streams
- would not occur in NSW at all, or in the same timeframe without government support
- has a commercial business plan
- can secure approvals to meet project timeframes
- has a minimum cash co-contribution of at least 50% of the total project cost from non-NSW Government sources. Higher cash contributions will be viewed favourably. In-kind (non-financial) contributions are not eligible
The following projects are ineligible for funding:
- projects funding the day-to-day operations of business or focusing primarily on marketing and promotion
- projects requiring ongoing funding from the NSW Government
- projects not aligned to the objectives of the program initiatives
- projects that would proceed and be delivered on the same timeline without government investment support
- projects that have already commenced for the scope requested in the application
- projects that will have significant negative competitive impacts on other NSW businesses legitimately competing in the same market and/or NSW supply chains
- projects that have already received NSW Government or other support for the same outputs and outcomes
See the source page and ROI form for full details of eligible and ineligible projects.
Information to prepare for the DRLCMI application
Information required for the ROI form includes:
- project description and overview
- short project video (optional)
- target markets
- strategic significance of project
- project readiness
- number of direct jobs created
- key barriers
- total project costs
- funding required and current funding support (if any)
Supporting documents may include:
- business plan
- project plan
- technical studies
- development approval
- landowner consent
- EPA approval
- relevant internal executive approvals
- market assessments
- project partner details
See the ROI form for full details of information requirements.
Applying for DRLCMI
Applications are submitted online via the SmartyGrants portal.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to increase your chances of success.
DRLCMI assessment criteria
The following criteria are used to determine if your project is investment ready, time sensitive and strategically significant.
| Ref | Criteria |
| 1 | Investment readiness – Project scope – Capability and capacity to deliver – Suitability of resourcing arrangements – Readiness to commence the project – Appropriateness of proposed technology solution – Commercial business plan |
| 2 | Time sensitivity – Urgency of funding to realise investment opportunity |
| 3 | Strategic significance – Alignment with program objective(s) and delivery of required outcome(s) |
See the ROI review criteria for full details of the assessment criteria.
DRLCMI resources
How do I get the DRLCMI?
The ROI is an opportunity to shape the nature of the funding support as well as pitch your investment ready project. Your ROI should demonstrate:
- a project that is time sensitive, strategically significant and investment ready
- a technology that is commercial and ready to scale-up
- a sound commercial business plan and resourcing arrangements
- a proven track record of project delivery, including risk management
- the necessary organisational capability and resources to deliver the proposed activity within the agreed timeline
The NSW Government may invite ROI participants whose projects are considered investment-ready, time sensitive and strategically significant to apply for priority consideration when the funds open in 2023. All such proposals will be reviewed against the eligibility criteria to determine if a project is suitable for priority consideration.
All participants will receive advice on the outcomes of the ROI and suggested next steps, irrespective of whether their project is determined suitable for priority consideration.
The ROI is a voluntary process. Organisations that do not register their interest in this process may still participate when the funds open in 2023, however, it is highly recommended you contribute to the ROI process for the chance at priority consideration.
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