Australian battery storage manufacturer secures $2.3 million grant from ARENA to scale up capacity

Victorian energy storage designer and manufacturer PowerPlus Energy has secured a $2.3 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) to support a scale-up of its manufacturing capacity.

PowerPlus Energy, which was founded in 2017 and headquartered in Victoria’s eastern suburbs, design and manufacture Australian-made batteries for an array of renewable energy projects, and is Australia’s largest local manufacturer of battery modules for stationary storage.

The new $2.3 million grant was awarded under ARENA’s Battery Breakthrough Initiative (BBI), announced in mid-2024 as part of the Future Made in Australia policy agenda to develop an Australian battery manufacturing capability.

“Battery manufacturing is a key part of Australia’s energy transition and economic future,” said Darren Miller, ARENA CEO.

“This project supports an established Australian manufacturer to grow, innovate, and compete, while delivering flow on benefits across the local supply chain.”

The grant will support PowerPlus Energy’s $6.7 million effort to semi-automate its local battery module manufacturing for current and future products.

PowerPlus is planning a three-fold scale-up over the next two years of its manufacturing capacity which will provide annual battery module capacity of up to 150 megawatt-hours (MWh).

PowerPlus expects that its expansion will allow it to support growth in other key sectors such as agriculture, utilities, and eco-resorts, where its design and manufacturing for local conditions is key.

“As Australia’s largest battery pack manufacturer this grant will help us maintain our position at the forefront of the local industry by enabling us to accelerate further investment in our manufacturing and testing capabilities,” said Ben Spincer, PowerPlus Energy executive chairman.

“We are delighted that the team at ARENA has recognised both our ambitions and our unique market position in supporting this investment.

“This investment is not just about our facility in Melbourne, but also about the thousands of customers across the country, ensuring we can continue to supply Australian-manufactured, accredited and supported products in a market increasingly dominated by low-cost imports.”