Western Australia is throwing serious cash at clean energy innovation. The state government just launched Round 4 of its Clean Energy Future Fund, putting $9 million on the table for projects that can slash emissions and boost the local economy. It’s not small change either—grants range from $100,000 to a whopping $4 million per project. That’s enough to make any clean tech entrepreneur’s eyes light up like solar panels on a sunny day.
Applications opened January 6, 2026, and close April 20, 2026. Got a practical clean energy project? Great. Can you prove it’s technically feasible? Even better. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is running the show, with Energy Policy WA backing them up. All the details are at www.wa.gov.au/ceff. Pretty straightforward stuff.
This isn’t their first rodeo. Since 2020, they’ve pumped $37 million into 15 projects across three funding rounds. The fund specifically targets initiatives that diversify and decarbonise the state’s economy while delivering economic benefits. The announcement was proudly delivered by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson as part of the Cook Government’s commitment to clean energy. The money has gone to some seriously cool initiatives—electric mining trucks, battery storage replacing diesel generators in the middle of nowhere, pumped hydro demonstrations, and re-deployable solar plants. Not exactly bake sale projects.
The government’s priorities are clear. They want projects benefiting First Nations peoples. They’re hot for green exports and local manufacturing. And they’re absolutely mad for long duration energy storage—we’re talking 10+ hours by 2030. These investments align with global trends showing battery storage costs are anticipated to decrease by 52% by 2030. Ambitious? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.
WA is positioning itself as a net zero shift leader. It’s not just talk. Recent developments include Pilot Energy’s 376MW solar-plus-storage hybrid at Three Springs, a $10.75 million joint development agreement for battery storage, and a 20-year solar hybrid PPA between Pacific Energy and Horizon Power.
The goal is simple: decarbonize the economy, solve grid challenges, and kick diesel to the curb in mining, remote communities, and industry. Four million dollars could be yours. Just saying.
References
- https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2026/01/07/wa-launches-9-million-funding-round-open-for-clean-energy-projects/
- https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/$9-million-in-clean-energy-innovation-grants-drive-decarbonisation-20260106
- https://www.energy-storage.news/western-australia-prioritises-long-duration-energy-storage-in-latest-clean-energy-funding-round/
- https://carbon-pulse.com/471780/
- https://www.pv-tech.org/pilot-energy-pivots-western-australian-solar-project-to-hybrid-bess-in-au10-75-million-deal/
- https://discoveryalert.com.au/clean-energy-investment-trends-2026/
- https://opengovasia.com/western-australia-funds-smart-clean-energy-innovation/
