Installation of industrial heat pumps across Barry Callebaut's chocolate confectionery manufacturing site in Campbellfield.
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Overview
Round 4 – Registration of interest open (details below), with application guidelines expected to be released in or around early 2027.
Round 1, 2 and 3 – Closed
The Energy Innovation Fund supports the commercialisation of innovative, emerging renewable energy technologies in Victoria, required to meet the net-zero emissions by 2045 target.
The fund is being delivered in multiple rounds.
- Round 4 will be dedicated to renewable fuels and feedstock projects. Application Guidelines are anticipated to be released in or around early 2027.
- Round 3 is dedicated to industrial electrification, with a focus on the food and beverage processing and manufacturing sector.
- Round 2 was open to any renewable technology type that can support Victoria’s net-zero emissions by 2045 target.
- Round 1 was dedicated to offshore wind.
Round 4
Renewable Fuels and Feedstocks
Round 4 will support early-stage renewable fuel and feedstock project development. This funding will progress technically proven projects and position Victoria to build a pipeline of projects to increase local supply and use of renewable fuels and feedstocks.
Round 4 was announced in October 2026 and the program design elements are currently being finalised.
Application guidelines, including eligibility and assessment criteria, are anticipated to be released in or around early 2027, with applications expected to open shortly after.
Funding
Under round 4, a total funding pool of up to $7.5 million will be available.
Register your interest for EIF Round 4
Please send an email to energy.innovation@deeca.vic.gov.au with the subject line Energy Innovation Fund Round 4 Registration of Interest to receive further information.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact the EIF team at: energy.innovation@deeca.vic.gov.au
For more information on renewable fuels visit, Renewable fuels and feedstocks
Round 3
Industrial electrification with a focus on food and beverage processing and manufacturing sector.
Round 3 targeted the electrification of Victoria’s food and beverage processing and manufacturing sector, which is one of the State’s most energy-intensive industries.
For reference: The Application guidelines for Round 3 can be found below.
Application guidelines (for reference only)
Funded projects
To date, 6 projects have secured funding under round 3, including:
- 3 thermal energy storage system (eTES) projects,
- 2 heat pump projects, and
- one microgrid battery energy storage system (BESS) project.
Deployment of electric thermal energy storage (eTES) systems across multiple food and beverage manufacturing sites in the Greater Shepparton region.
Installation of a centralised industrial heat pump system at Hazeldene's poultry processing facility in Lockwood, Victoria.
Installation and integration of a 4MW Graphite Energy electric thermal energy storage (eTES) system at the Mars Petcare Wodonga manufacturing facility.
Installation of an electric thermal energy storage (eTES) system at the Bega dairy manufacturing site in Tatura.
Delivery of modernised microgrid battery energy storage systems at an almond and citrus processing site in Iraak, Victoria.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact the EIF team at: energy.innovation@deeca.vic.gov.au
Round 2
Technology neutral
Round 2 was open to any renewable technology type that could support Victoria's net-zero emissions by 2045 target and met the eligibility criteria.
For reference: The Application guidelines for Round 2 can be found below.
Funded projects
Four projects secured funding under Round 2.
A total of $37.5 million was provided to support:
- two bio-energy projects
- a large-scale battery
- an offshore wind project (feasibility and pre-construction activities).
Feasibility and pre-construction activities for the Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm. Alinta Energy and JERA Nex - Parkwind are developing a proposed 1.2GW offshore wind farm off the coast of Southwest Victoria.
- Funding awarded: $11.16 million
Installation of a 100MW/2-hour lithium-ion battery energy storage system using new grid forming inverters in Terang.
- Funding awarded: $7 million
Installation of a 2.2MW bioenergy facility at an existing dairy processing plant in Gippsland.
- Funding awarded: $10 million
Installation of an anaerobic digestion plant which uses chicken litter and other organic matter as feedstock to convert to Biogas in Anakie.
- Funding awarded: $9.3 million
Round 1
Offshore wind
Due to technological advances and declining costs, offshore wind has experienced significant global growth over the last decade. The sector now has an important role in the global energy transition and pathway towards net zero emissions.
Round 1 opened for applications in February 2021 and received a strong response.
For reference: The Application Guidelines for round 1 can be found below.
Funded projects
A total of $37.9 million was provided to support the completion of feasibility and pre-construction activities.
Completed scoping studies and surveys for a 1500 MW offshore wind farm off the Gippsland Coast. This included working with oil and gas facility operators to assess the potential for onshore and offshore asset re-use.
The scoping works supported the development of a project. If constructed, could result in an investment of approximately $6 billion and the creation of over 1,600 jobs.
- Funding awarded: $2.3 million
Pre-feasibility works investigated the potential for a 1500 MW offshore wind farm off the Bass Coast. If constructed the project could result in a total investment of approximately $4.0 billion and the creation of over 1,500 jobs.
- Funding awarded: $16.1 million
Pre-construction development activities for the 2200 MW project, located off the coast of Gippsland. If constructed, the project could result in an investment of approximately $8.7 billion and the creation of over 2,000 jobs.
- Funding awarded: $19.5 million
Page last updated: 28/10/26