The second round of Victoria’s $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund (NEJF) grants opened on Tuesday.
This round will make $6 million in grants of between $20,000 and $1 million, with the NEJF open to communities, industry and businesses.
“We’re putting people first by creating jobs, attracting investment and making our energy supplies cleaner,” said Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio.
“I was encouraged to see such a strong response to the first round of the New Energy Jobs Fund, Victorians are clearly embracing the opportunities that clean energy presents.”
One of the recipients of the first round, launched in late 2015, was the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCA). The organisation received $330,000 in funding to support its work in providing energy efficient housing in Victoria.
The New Energy Jobs Fund assists Victorian based new energy technology projects that address the following:
- Creation of long-term and sustainable employment
- Reduction in greenhouse emissions
- Driving innovation of new energy tech
- Building new energy capacity in Victoria
- Stimulating economic development
- Fostering community participation
- Increasing the uptake of renewables
The scheme only supports projects that generate energy from renewable sources such as wind energy and solar power.
Round 2 has two separate streams for new energy technology community and industry projects; with categories focusing on manufacturing, technology, community and skills.
The New Energy Jobs Fund is part of the $200 million Future Industries Fund. Applications for Round 2 need to be lodged before March 1, 2017 and successful projects will be announced in mid-2017.
Further details, application forms and guidelines for the New Energy Jobs Fund can be viewed here.
The Victorian Government has committed to at least 25% of the state’s electricity being sourced from Victorian-built renewable generation by 2020, and 40% by 2025. This commitment will see an estimated $2.5 billion invested in the state’s renewable energy sector by 2025 and more than 3,000 additional jobs in the local renewables industry by 2020.
The Andrews Government considers renewable energy to be a vital component in the climate change battle.
