Important notice:
The HEI fund is currently closed. We are planning to reopen the fund in 2026.
Manufacturing and mining facilities in NSW contribute about 30% of our state’s total emissions. This includes almost 60 facilities that emit more than 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2-e) a year.
Accelerating their decarbonisation is critical to meeting our legislated goal of cutting emissions by 70% by 2035 and achieving net zero by 2050.
That’s why we are working with high emitting facilities to significantly reduce their emissions and strengthen their resilience in the future. Together, we can help shift NSW to a low-carbon economy.
Our goal is to reduce industrial emissions across 3 focus areas.
1. Supporting decarbonisation in high emitting facilities
Help NSW manufacturing and mining operations deliver value for money emissions reduction projects.
2. Accelerating transformative decarbonisation projects
Prioritise innovative and ambitious low emissions projects to fast track NSW's progress to net zero.
3. Helping industry thrive in a low carbon economy
Build local skills, knowledge and jobs to ensure NSW industry prospers in a new low carbon economy.
High Emitting Industries is a focus area of the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program and supports the Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030. It is part of the Industrial Decarbonisation Initiative.
About the funding
We are providing $305 million of grant funding to help high emitting facilities develop decarbonisation projects, from feasibility studies through to commissioning.
Eligible applicants and projects
If you are a manufacturing or mining facility in NSW that emitted more than 90,000 tCO2-e per year in any year since the 2018-19 financial year, we want to work with you to implement proven low-emissions technologies and infrastructure.
Pre-deployment projects
We will fund eligible projects to accelerate strategic scope 1 emissions reduction opportunities. Types of projects may include:
- late-stage feasibility studies
- commercial trials
- business case development
- front-end engineering and design.
We prefer projects with higher levels of commercial maturity.
Deployment projects
We will fund eligible projects to implement decarbonisation opportunities at NSW manufacturing and mining facilities, with a focus on scope 1 emissions reduction. These projects need to be technically ready and commercially proven opportunities.
To be eligible for funding, you must contribute at least 50% of the eligible costs of the project. We prefer higher contributions.
More information
Read our:
- funding guidelines (these continue to be valid into 2025 until new guidelines are published)
- addendum to the funding guidelines
- grants management system help guide for applicants.
These include detailed information about our investment priorities as well as funding eligibility and merit criteria. You can also learn about the assessment process for awarding funding.
Tell us about your proposed project
HEI is currently closed. If you have a project you would like to tell us about in the meantime, we encourage you to email us at [email protected] to discuss your project or set up a consultation with our team. You can complete our project idea form to help us understand and provide feedback on your proposed project at its initial stages.
Contact us
If you have any questions, or want to discuss your project or application, please email us at [email protected].
Stay updated
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