As Western Australia gears up for another round of clean energy investment, a hefty $9 million is now on the table for innovators willing to tackle emissions head-on. The fourth round of the Clean Energy Future Fund (CEFF) launches January 6, 2026, with applications closing April 20. Not exactly pocket change, these grants range from $100,000 to a whopping $4 million per project.
This isn’t the government’s first rodeo. Since launching in 2020, the state has pumped $37 million into 15 projects that actually do something useful. Think electrified mine trucks replacing gas-guzzlers and batteries kicking diesel generators to the curb. Pretty practical stuff.
The fund targets real-world projects—no pie-in-the-sky fantasies here. Your idea better have technical legs and a clear path to implementation. The government wants bang for its buck.
Western Australia isn’t interested in dreamers—they want doers with solid plans that deliver measurable results.
Reducing emissions is nice, but economic benefits matter too. Warm feelings don’t pay the bills.
Got a project benefiting First Nations peoples? You’re golden. Building green exports? Even better. The state’s shopping list includes renewable energy supply, grid resilience, and long-duration storage.
They’re particularly hot for anything storing energy for 10+ hours by 2030. Electrification projects get bonus points too.
Western Australia isn’t playing around with its climate ambitions. The state wants to position itself as a net-zero conversion leader, not just another follower.
Grid challenges? They want solutions. Innovation? Bring it.
CEFF isn’t alone in this push, either. There’s $44.6 million for clean energy in public schools, plus major projects like Pilot Energy’s battery system and Pacific Energy’s solar hybrid deal with Horizon Power.
Even ARENA’s tossing in $45 million for a Pilbara solar testbed.
While federal policy changes threaten the national clean energy landscape, market forces continue to push renewable development forward regardless of political headwinds.
The initiative is supported through a collaborative effort between the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Energy Policy WA. The program was officially announced by Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson as part of the Cook Government’s decarbonization drive.
Want details? Hit up www.wa.gov.au/ceff. Just remember—the clock’s ticking until April 20.
Nine million dollars. Fifteen projects funded so far. Will yours be next? No pressure.
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://www.miragenews.com/9m-clean-energy-grants-propel-decarbonisation-1597794/
- https://www.pv-tech.org/pilot-energy-pivots-western-australian-solar-project-to-hybrid-bess-in-au10-75-million-deal/
- https://www.education.wa.edu.au/our-organisation/schools-clean-energy-technology-fund
- https://opengovasia.com/western-australia-funds-smart-clean-energy-innovation/
