The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), acting on behalf of the Australian Government, has unveiled the National Industrial Transformation (NIT) Program, a $40 million initiative aimed at advancing the reduction of scope 1 and scope 2 emissions in existing or planned industrial facilities across the country.
This program represents an evolution of the former Industrial Energy Transformation Studies Program (IETS), designed to provide more comprehensive support for industrial decarbonisation efforts, ARENA said in a media release.
The NIT Program has been strategically aligned with the recently introduced $400 million Industrial Transformation Stream (ITS), fostering a more integrated approach.
According to ARENA, the program’s scope now encompasses applications from pre-feasibility to trial, demonstration, and deployment activities, with reallocated funding from the previous IETS.
The key objectives of the National Industrial Transformation initiative include supporting industrial facilities in Australia to align with the country’s 2030 emissions reduction goals and achieve a transition to net zero by 2050.
Additionally, the program aims to enhance the technology and commercial readiness of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrification technologies, thereby significantly reducing scope 1 and/or scope 2 emissions or improving the energy efficiency of industrial processes.
It also encourages collaboration, technology demonstration, and knowledge-sharing initiatives across industries and regions, with a focus on upskilling the industrial workforce in new decarbonization activities.
Unlike the Industrial Transformation Stream, the NIT Program is not limited to specific regional, National Greenhouse Energy Reporting (NGER) facilities.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller emphasised the significance of the National Industrial Transformation Program in expanding the range of applications received.
“With industry accounting for approximately 44% of Australian emissions, we need to target sectors such as agriculture, water, mining and manufacturing to assist them progress towards net zero. ARENA’s funding model is well placed to make a real impact,” Miller noted.
Both the Industrial Transformation Stream and the National Industrial Transformation Program are currently open for applications.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out to ARENA at industrialtransformation@arena.gov.au for program suitability discussions and can access further information on the NIT Program via the dedicated webpage.
