New half-billion-dollar strategy to power Queensland’s battery boom

• $570 million investment for Queensland’s nation leading Battery Industry Strategy to deliver clean economy jobs in battery technologies and manufacturing
• Queensland’s battery industry could contribute up to $1.3 billion to economy and generate 9,100 clean economy jobs by 2030
• Strategy actions support battery industry innovation, commercialisation, investment, supply-chain growth, and will promote Queensland nationally and internationally

The Miles’ Government’s Queensland Battery Industry Strategy harnesses Queensland’s world leading expertise in battery technologies and nation leading investment in renewable energy to create clean economy jobs.

The strategy is a five-year action plan to supercharge growth as the world decarbonises and strengthens Queensland’s position as a globally competitive investment destination.

The strategy brings together Queensland’s world class critical minerals resources, mining expertise, emerging business capability, and our world leading research and technology.

Together, these will further develop advanced manufacturing of battery materials, cells, pack assembly, installation, and recycling.

The $570 million package includes new funding of $210 million to build capabilities across the value chain, drive development of battery standards, and testing.

It also provides the State’s funding contribution to the Australian Battery Industrialisation Centre that will be further developed in partnership with the Australian Government and a consortium of Queensland Universities.

New and existing industry support is allocated across three key themes:

• $275 million to support industry to innovate and commercialise battery technologies, including $105 million in state funding to plan and establish the Australian Battery Industrialisation Centre in partnership with the Australian Government
• $92.2 million to drive battery investment and supply chain growth, including an $80 million industry grant program
• $202.5 million to promote and position Queensland as the preferred supplier of advanced materials and batteries to domestic and international markets, including $5m to establish Batteries Queensland, a central point of contact for industry to connect with relevant government agencies and access support

Stakeholders helped shape the strategy through the Queensland Government’s Battery Industry Opportunities for Queensland discussion paper, which was released in 2023.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“As the world moves towards net zero global demand for batteries will increase by tenfold to 2030.

“The Queensland Battery Industry Strategy establishes Queensland as a global leader in the flow batteries needed to store renewable energy and advanced battery technologies.

“In 2023 I released the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy, which identifies the battery industry as a priority sector which will shape our economic future.

“We have already made great progress in building out our battery industry supply chain, with substantial investment in battery projects right across the state including the Queensland Energy Storage and Technology Hub facility at Banyo, Alpha HPA in Gladstone and Vecco in Townsville.

“Our 75% emissions reduction target by 2035 provides the investment certainty to build a battery industry here in Queensland to not just supply Australia but the world.

“Building a Queensland battery industry creates jobs here in the Southeast in mining critical minerals in the North West, in minerals processing in Townsville and new clean economy jobs across our regions including Cairns, Gladstone and Maryborough.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:

“Queensland’s battery industry could deliver more than 9,100 jobs and contribute up to $1.3 billion to the state’s economy by 2030.

“Each region of Queensland has a role to play in the development of the battery supply chain.

“There are incredible opportunities right across our state, from recovery of critical minerals to the production and refining of advanced materials, manufacturing, and integration of battery packs.

“As global economies decarbonise, the demand for battery storage is set to grow exponentially.

“Right now, most of the batteries used in Queensland are imported. This is a massive opportunity for Queensland to become a world leader and make these products in our own backyard, and it’s one we are seizing with both hands.

“Our ambition is to make Queensland the battery industry capital, and ensure our communities benefit directly from the job and economic opportunities this will bring.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni:

“Batteries are critical for the energy transition, and if we’re going to use them – we should make them.

“What’s really great about the strategy, is that it diversifies the technology used to improve battery safety and ensure that we can utilise the rich mineral reserves in Queensland.

“This investment will be welcomed by the manufacturing sector, the resources sector, by climate advocates and anyone who is looking to save money on their household or business budget.

“Setting up a Queensland made battery industry means that soon every Queenslander will be able to store our plentiful and free sunshine and wind resources, to be used in their home and slash money off their bills.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Glenn Butcher:

“The Queensland battery industry will deliver opportunities to our regional areas with this strategy driving a focus on building the supply chain to meet global demand for new-economy energy production and storage.

“We know manufacturing means jobs and this strategy is a clear roadmap for how the emerging battery manufacturing industry will be shaped to generate hundreds of good Queensland jobs by 2030.

“The Strategy builds upon our investment in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan to position Queensland to become a thriving renewables, hydrogen and clean energy manufacturing superpower.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Nudgee and Minister for Environment and Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation Leanne Linard:

“I am excited for the transition to renewal energy sources, aided by the continued development in battery technology, and the benefits it will deliver for Queensland’s iconic natural environment.

“The National Battery Testing Centre here in the Nudgee electorate is at the forefront of the development and testing of battery technology.

“The actions and investment being made through the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy will ensure this centre will continue to play a vital role in the high-technology energy storage industry in the decades ahead and therefore provide good jobs in my community.”

Quotes attributable to Director QUT Advanced Battery Facility A/Prof Josh Watts:

“Queensland hosts an incredibly strong battery industry cluster across a diverse range of energy storage technologies which are primed to supply local and export markets to power the global net zero transition.

“The support provided through the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy will ensure these businesses are able to scale and get their products to market to meet demand which will fortify our domestic energy security and create more jobs and economic growth for Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Advanced Materials and Battery Council Director, Dr Lynette Molyneaux:

“Queensland is home to world leading researchers in metallurgy, materials science and nanotechnology, and battery-tech entrepreneurs seeking to commercialise researchers’ intellectual property for local and global markets.

“For too long Australian research findings have been exported for other countries’ benefit. The Advanced Materials and Battery Council is dedicated to supporting battery-tech companies to develop networks to grow commercially viable value chains, and collaborate with researchers and policy makers to become the cornerstone for a resurgent domestic manufacturing sector.

“Queensland’s Battery Industry Strategy gives clarity and support to companies that have the know-how and the determination to compete in this huge global opportunity. It also offers investors a clear vision of Queensland’s determination to play a crucial role in global decarbonisation.”

Further information:

The strategy can be viewed at www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/batterystrategy

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot (Minister Grace), 0439 803 211