The Albanese Government has today released the nation’s first National Battery Strategy, supporting a Future Made in Australia and shoring up our economic resilience and security.
The global demand for batteries is set to quadruple by 2030 as the world transitions to net zero, and our Strategy maps a path for Australia to take advantage of this growth to build a thriving battery industry.
It identifies four high-value strategic opportunities:
- Stationary storage - building Energy Storage Systems to firm renewable power generation in the national grid and for communities, businesses and homes.
- Provide battery active materials to the world by upgrading raw minerals into processed battery components to strengthen battery supply chains.
- Leveraging our world-leading know-how to build safer and more secure batteries connected to the grid.
- Building batteries for our transport manufacturing industry, including heavy vehicle manufacturing.
Funding for the Strategy was included in last week’s Budget:
- $523.2 million for the Battery Breakthrough Initiative, administered by ARENA, to promote the development of battery manufacturing capabilities through production incentives targeted at the highest value opportunities in the supply chain.
- $20.3 million for Building Future Battery Capabilities to incentivise cutting edge battery research, including support for:
- Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre to map Australian battery capability and value chains, drive battery innovation and scale-up and deliver best practice guidelines and standards for the battery industry.
- Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre to develop workforce skills and training.
The Budget also includes $1.7 billion for a new Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, administered by ARENA, to accelerate deployment of innovative technologies and facilities through support for innovation, commercialisation, pilot and demonstration projects in priority sectors including clean energy manufacturing such as batteries.
The Strategy is designed to harness our world leading-expertise in battery technology, lean into our natural advantage with critical minerals and support a Future Made in Australia.
It shows how Australia can help diversify global battery supply chains by working collaboratively with key trading partners – to help shore up our economic resilience in our national interest.
It also outlines a joined-up approach for industry and government to work together to supercharge our battery manufacturing and help make Australia a renewable energy superpower.
It builds on a range of existing Government initiatives to help Australian businesses grow and compete, including the Industry Growth Program, Solar Sunshot, the National Reconstruction Fund and the Critical Minerals Facility.
More information on the National Battery Strategy is available here: National Battery Strategy
Comments attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“We want to make more things here and with global demand for batteries set to quadruple by 2030, Australia must be a player in this field.
“Batteries are a critical ingredient in Australia’s clean energy mix. Together with renewable energy, green hydrogen, and critical minerals, we will meet Australia’s emission reduction targets and create a strong clean energy manufacturing industry.”
Comments attributable to Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic:
“Australia is a pioneer of battery tech, yet for too long we’ve sent our ideas offshore and lost the good jobs they create.
“A strong battery industry can supercharge our path to net zero and create a Future Made in Australia.
“Australia is moving beyond a ‘dig and ship’ economy to become a renewable energy superpower.
“It’s inexcusable that we supply half the global supply of lithium but produce less than one percent of the world’s processed battery components.
“The global clean energy transition is happening – and we’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Australia to create more well-paid, secure jobs.”