Environment Minister Mark McGowan has urged Western Australian businesses to make the most of more than $600 million available in funding programs for the development of new technologies and solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Environment Minister Mark McGowan has urged Western Australian businesses to make the most of more than $600 million available in funding programs for the development of new technologies and solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr McGowan said WA businesses were capable of leading the nation in greenhouse research and technology development.
"There are huge domestic and international market opportunities opening up for new energy saving technologies and WA, with its world-class renewable energy resources, is well placed to capitalise on those opportunities," he said.
"We need to change the nature of the way in which we generate energy in WA and technology development is an important part of that."
The Minister said businesses applying for the AusIndustry or Australian Greenhouse Office funding should consider using the WA Innovation Capability Development Scheme.
"The scheme has helped numerous WA companies attract investment to commercialise innovative technologies and services," he said.
Mr McGowan said WA businesses already had been successful in obtaining funding from AusIndustry and the Australian Greenhouse Office.
Perth-based company Solco Ltd is an example of a WA company that has already been successful in obtaining funding from AusIndustry and the Australian Greenhouse Office.
It received funds to further develop a low-cost, plastic, high-pressure solar hot water system, leading to export and employment opportunities.
Funding programs include:
WA Innovation Capability Development Scheme - provides grants of up to
50 per cent of eligible expenditure, to a maximum of $25,000 on a matching basis. For more information, contact Mal Nichols, Department of Industry and Resources.
Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund - is offering more than $500million in funding to support the commercial demonstration of technologies that have the potential to deliver large-scale greenhouse gas emission reductions. Applications close March 31, 2006. For more information visit http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/demonstrationfund
Renewable Energy Development Initiative - is offering $100million in funding to support the development of renewable energy technology products, processes and services that have strong early-stage commercialisation and emission reduction potential. A third funding round is due to open in the second half of 2006. For more information visit http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/government.html
Low Emissions Technology and Abatement program has $26.9million for four streams: strategic abatement, renewables, fossil fuels and geosequestration. The renewable stream (local deployment, industry development and export of renewable energy technologies) and the fossil fuel stream (increased efficiency for electricity generators) are currently accepting applications on an ongoing basis. There are no closing dates but there is a limit of funds. For more information visit http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/leta
Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies program is offering $20.4million in funding for the development of storage solutions for electricity generated by renewable and other intermittent energy sources. Applications close April 13, 2006. For more information visit http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/aest
THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE APPEARS BELOW.
18/3/06
WA business urged to seek greenhouse funding.
Environment Minister Mark McGowan has urged Western Australian businesses and researchers to make the most of more than $600million available to support the development of new technologies and solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr McGowan said WA businesses were capable of leading the nation in greenhouse research and technology development.
"There are huge domestic and international market opportunities opening up for new energy saving technologies and WA, with its world-class renewable energy resources, is well placed to capitalise on those opportunities," he said.
"Grasping these opportunities will create sustainable, high value jobs and businesses for WA's future.
"We need to change the nature of the way in which we generate energy in WA and technology development is an important part of that."
The Minister said businesses applying for the AusIndustry or Australian Greenhouse Office funding should consider using the WA Innovation Capability Development Scheme.
"The scheme has helped numerous WA companies attract investment to commercialise innovative technologies and services," he said.
"I encourage all WA businesses involved in renewable and low emission technology development to contact Mal Nichols at the Department of Industry and Resources on (08) 9222 0455 to get assistance in applying for the funding."
Mr McGowan said WA businesses already had been successful in obtaining funding from AusIndustry and the Australian Greenhouse Office.
Perth-based company Solco Ltd received funds to further develop a low-cost, plastic, high-pressure solar hot water system, leading to export and employment opportunities.
Western Power received funding to develop a flexible, reliable, Australian-produced wind/diesel generator capable of meeting the siting requirements of any location and quality requirements of any technical standard for world markets.
Two further WA projects - one in Perth and another in Kalgoorlie-Boulder - have been short-listed under the Solar Cities initiative which aims to show how solar power, energy efficiency and new approaches to electricity pricing can provide sustainable energy in towns throughout Australia.
Funding programs include:
WA Innovation Capability Development Scheme - provides grants of up to
50 per cent of eligible expenditure, to a maximum of $25,000 on a matching basis. For more information, contact Mal Nichols, Department of Industry and Resources
(08) 9222 0455, mal.nichols@doir.wa.gov.au
Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund - is offering more than $500million in funding to support the commercial demonstration of technologies that have the potential to deliver large-scale greenhouse gas emission reductions. Applications close March 31, 2006. For more information visit http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/demonstrationfund
Renewable Energy Development Initiative - is offering $100million in funding to support the development of renewable energy technology products, processes and services that have strong early-stage commercialisation and emission reduction potential. A third funding round is due to open in the second half of 2006. For more information visit http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/government.html
Low Emissions Technology and Abatement program has $26.9million for four streams: strategic abatement, renewables, fossil fuels and geosequestration. The renewable stream (local deployment, industry development and export of renewable energy technologies) and the fossil fuel stream (increased efficiency for electricity generators) are currently accepting applications on an ongoing basis. There are no closing dates but there is a limit of funds. For more information visit http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/leta
Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies program is offering $20.4million in funding for the development of storage solutions for electricity generated by renewable and other intermittent energy sources. Applications close April 13, 2006. For more information visit http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/aest
Media contact: Kym Coolhaas - 9222 9111 or 0438 920 460
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