Western Australia has opened an AUD 153.3 million loan program for local manufacturers
It will support investments in energy efficiency and advanced manufacturing technologies
It is part of the state’s plan to increase renewable electricity’s share to 75% by 2030-31
The Western Australian government has opened applications for its AUD 153.3 million Made in WA Energy Affordability Investment Program (MEAIP). It will offer low-interest loans to manufacturers investing in renewable energy, battery storage, and energy-efficient technologies.
Eligible manufacturers can avail loans of AUD 300,000 to AUD 15 million. The loan amount will cover up to 80% of eligible project costs.
Loans will be available across two streams. The first stream focuses on projects related to energy efficiency and reducing energy costs. The second will cover integrated projects combining energy efficiency measures with advanced manufacturing technologies to increase production capacity, productivity, and cost-competitiveness. Eligible investments include automation, robotics, and smart equipment; advanced fabrication and additive manufacturing; precision machining and advanced processing equipment; digital manufacturing systems; and project implementation and technical costs.
The objective is to support Western Australian manufacturers up the value chain and accelerate productivity while enabling them to reduce energy costs and strengthen competitiveness.
The MEAIP call opened on October 27, 2026, and closes on February 23, 2027. Details are available on the government’s website.
The funding program is part of the state government’s Plan for Affordable Energy, which targets 75% of electricity generation from renewable sources on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) by 2030-31.
This will be an increase from a 14% renewable energy share in 2017 and around 40% in 2025. Western Australia has delivered more than 1.4 GW of grid-scale battery storage so far. Earlier, in May 2023, the state government said it estimates up to 51.5 GW of new renewable energy and storage capacity by 2042 through SWIS, including 41.8 GW of large-scale wind and solar to meet industrial demand (see Western Australia’s Gigantic RE Plans For SWIS).
The state’s latest plan includes retiring state-owned coal-fired power generation by 2030, replacing it with renewable energy backed by battery storage and flexible gas.
“By delivering more renewable energy backed by battery storage and flexible WA gas, we're building a State of Energy and putting downward pressure on power prices,” stated Western Australia Premier Roger Cook.
Smart Energy Council (SEC) has welcomed the 75% renewable energy target, calling it an ‘unmistakable’ market signal for clean energy investment in the state. SEC Chief Executive David McElrea said that it views the 75% target as the floor, not the ceiling.
The council said commercial and industrial (C&I) facilities represent an underutilized source of renewable energy generation and energy storage in the state. It urged the government to simplify grid connection processes and address delays to unlock this capital.