For Australia to achieve its climate targets, guarantee its energy security, maintain its international competitiveness, and enjoy low energy costs into the future, rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies is urgently required. Australia enjoys several natural and economic advantages – including core critical mineral stocks and an advanced mining sector – that positions us as a potential renewable technology leader of the future.

However, critical gaps across the domestic renewable technology supply chain are limiting the ability of Australian industry to capitalise upon these advantages. At a time when many nations are accelerating domestic renewable technology manufacturing to meet international demand while also shoring up their own energy security, these gaps in Australia’s renewable technology capabilities represent a major export opportunity cost, pose risks to future energy sovereignty, and are hampering our ability to meet net zero targets.  

The Minerals to Megawatts CRC will address major supply and deployment challenges identified by minerals processors, renewable technology manufacturers, and energy generators and distributors:

• Risks in supply chain continuity and provenance

• Gaps in pre-deployment testing for new materials and technologies

• Lack of infrastructure for grid integration and situation testing

• Lack of common safety standards for connections and fire hazards

• Gaps in certification processes for batteries and renewable technology components

• Shortage of an appropriately skilled and diverse workforce able to design, install and maintain renewable technologies across multiple settings

• Challenges securing community consent for the installation and operation of renewable energy infrastructure.