FRV Services
Installation of a 100MW/2-hour lithium-ion battery energy storage system using new grid forming inverters.
- Location: Terang, Barwon South West
- Funding awarded: $7 million
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Overview
Round 3 – Application for round 3 are now open – further details are outlined below.
Round 1 and 2 – 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 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 3
Industrial electrification with a focus on food and beverage processing and manufacturing sector
Round 3 targets the electrification of Victoria’s food and beverage processing and manufacturing sector, which is one of the State’s most energy-intensive industries.
The round seeks to overcome barriers to electrification by co-funding innovative projects that replace fossil fuel usage with electric alternatives.
Objectives
- Support the achievement of Victoria’s net-zero carbon emission target by 2045 through the electrification of industrial processes, enabling the integration of renewable energy to decarbonise to food and beverage sector.
- Enable the development, demonstration, and scaling of emerging technologies that are transformational, high-impact, and aligned with Victoria’s energy and climate policy priorities.
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on volatile fossil gas markets to support cost stability and operational certainty for food producers.
- Strengthen local food production and processing capacity by enabling sustainable, low-emissions growth that supports long-term sector viability. Boost Victorian industrial competitiveness as Victoria achieves legislated emission reduction targets.
Funding
- Under round 3, a total funding pool of $10 million is available. With grants capped at up to $2 million per submission (some exceptions considered where exceptional value can be demonstrated).
How to apply
Applications are now open and must be submitted by 1 pm (AEDT) Friday 28 November 2025.
Applicants can submit questions to energy.innovation@deeca.vic.gov.au no later than 5 pm, (AEDT), 7 calendar days (Friday 21 November 2025) before the applications period closes.
To assist in the preparation of applications and to view the eligibility and merit questions, a downloadable version of the application form can be found below (we recommend downloading and viewing in a web browser).
Please note that the final application form needs to be completed and submitted through the Grants Online portal found in the links above.
Need help?
For technical help with Grants Online, contact grantsinfo@deeca.vic.gov.au
Application guidelines and associated documents
The Round 3 Application Form reference several supporting documents to assist applicants in preparing and submitting their application. Supporting documentation required as part of an application includes:
Funding agreement
Round 3 successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement with the Victorian Government. The funding agreements establishes the parties and outlines their commitments and obligations to each other, as well as setting out the general funding terms and conditions.
Please review the terms and conditions of the funding agreement before applying. The funding agreement template and participating organisation agreement template do not need to be submitted at the time of application, these are for reference and familiarisation only.
However, any proposed departures based on the funding agreement will need to be submitted with your application using the funding agreement departures template below.
If you are proposing to have a participating organisation as part of your project, please see sample template that can be utilised. A POA template of your own can be used and will be reviewed by DEECA accordingly).
Frequently asked questions
Below includes a list of Frequently Ask Questions that were last updated on 20 October 2025. The FAQs will continue to be updated on a regular basis to ensure stakeholders have access to the most up to date information on the program.
Online information session
An online information session was held on 25 September 2025. Below is a copy of the presentation slides and the recording of the session.
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
Five projects secured funding under Round 2.
A total of $49.4 million was provided to support:
- two bio-energy projects
- a large-scale battery
- a renewable hydrogen project.
- an offshore wind project (feasibility and pre-construction activities).
Innovating Energy
Installation of a 2.2MW bioenergy facility at an existing dairy processing plant.
- Location: Gippsland
- Funding awarded: $10 million
Pavillion Farms
Installation of an anaerobic digestion plant which using chicken litter and other organic matter as feedstock to convert to Biogas.
- Location: Anakie, Barwon Southwest
- Funding awarded: $9.3 million
Yarra Valley Water
Installation of an electrolyser to split water into hydrogen and oxygen at its wastewater treatment plant. This pilot project will test the technology prior to building the full-scale electrolyser.
The site’s existing waste-to-energy facility will power the electrolyser producing renewable hydrogen from surplus recycled water and oxygen which will potentially be used to treat wastewater.
- Location: Wollert, Melbourne
- Funding awarded: $11.9 million
Alinta Energy
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.
- Location: Portland, Barwon Southwest
- Funding awarded: $11.16 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.
Flotation Energy
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.
- Location: Gippsland
- Funding awarded: $2.3 million
Macquarie Group
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.
- Location: Bass Coast
- Funding awarded: $16.1 million
Star of the South Offshore Wind Project
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.
- Location: Gippsland
- Funding awarded: $19.5 million
Page last updated: 20/10/25