Energy Innovation Fund (Round 3) - Date Extended

Funding program archive

This page preserves a dated funding-program record and links it to current project-planning guidance.

Publication date: 29 September 2025.

Status note: This archive does not confirm that applications are open, funds remain available or the earlier eligibility and co-funding settings still apply. Verify the current administrator page and guidelines.

What this article reported

The Energy Innovation Fund - Round 3 is now open, offering $10 million in grant funding to help Victoria's food and beverage processors and manufacturers electrify their operations. This round supports projects that replace fossil fuel systems with efficient electric technologies, driving decarbonisation and supporting Victoria's net-zero target by 2045.

Who is this for?

This round is designed for Victorian businesses in the food and beverage manufacturing sector that want to:

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.

What funding is available?

What can it be used for?

Funding must be used for capital projects that electrify industrial operations in the food & beverage sector. Examples include:

Northmore Gordon can help design and deliver these projects through our expertise in:

Eligibility

You can apply if you:

Key dates

How to apply

Northmore Gordon will manage the entire application process on your behalf. Our team will:

By partnering with us, you can focus on your business while we take care of the grant process from start to finish.

Next steps

Round 3 of the Energy Innovation Fund represents a significant opportunity for Victoria's food and beverage manufacturers to electrify operations and cut emissions with grants of up to $2 million per project available.

Contact Northmore Gordon today to start your application and give your business the best chance of securing funding.

How to use this information now

Before relying on a grant, confirm the current round, applicant and project eligibility, eligible expenditure, co-contribution, assessment process, closing date and evidence obligations. Build the technical case so the project remains understandable with grant support shown separately.

Separate source-reported facts from forecasts, targets and commentary. For a current project, retain the official source, version, effective date, assumptions and decision record in the evidence file.

What is the Energy Innovation Fund – Round 3?

The Energy Innovation Fund – Round 3 is a $10 million grant program designed to support Victoria's food and beverage processors and manufacturers in electrifying their operations. It enables businesses to replace fossil fuel systems with efficient electric technologies, directly supporting industrial decarbonisation and Victoria's net-zero emissions target by 2045. The program recognizes that industrial process heating is a priority area for emissions reduction, and the fund targets proven, commercially-ready electrification solutions that can be scaled across the sector.

Who is eligible to apply for the Energy Innovation Fund Round 3?

Eligible applicants must operate a business in Victoria's food and beverage processing or manufacturing sector, be an Australian incorporated entity (or lead a consortium with an incorporated entity as lead), demonstrate financial capacity to co-fund at least 50% of eligible project costs, and be able to deliver a commercially-ready project using proven, scalable technologies. The sector focus reflects the significance of food and beverage manufacturing as a major energy consumer and emissions source in Victoria.

What types of electrification projects does Round 3 fund?

Funding supports capital projects that replace gas-fired systems with electric alternatives, including gas boilers replaced by electric boilers or heat pumps, installation of electric dryers, ovens and process heating systems, integration of thermal storage and energy efficiency upgrades, and grid connections or electrical infrastructure upgrades directly linked to project delivery. These interventions address the core heating and cooling demands of food processing, where our process heat guidance identifies boilers, ovens and refrigeration as priority investigation areas.

How much funding is available and what are the co-funding requirements?

A total of $10 million is available in Round 3, with individual grants capped at $2 million per project. The program funds up to 50% of eligible project costs, requiring applicants to provide the remaining 50% through cash or approved in-kind contributions. This co-funding requirement ensures business commitment to project outcomes and aligns with standard investment-case practice where management understands decision resilience with and without conditional support.

What are the application timeline and key dates for Round 3?

Applications open on 29 September 2025 and close at 1 pm AEDT on 12 December 2025. An industry briefing was conducted online on 25 September 2025. Project timing is critical in energy applications, as early registration and funding investigation preserve baseline evidence and certificate pathways. Applicants should begin preparing project briefs and gathering energy data well in advance of the application deadline.

How does Round 3 differ from previous Energy Innovation Fund rounds?

Round 3 focuses specifically on industrial electrification in the food and beverage processing and manufacturing sector. Round 2 (now closed) was open to any renewable technology type supporting Victoria's net-zero target, while Round 1 (now closed) was dedicated to offshore wind development. This sector-specific approach reflects the importance of process heat and industrial facilities as priority areas for emissions reduction in Victoria's decarbonisation pathway.

How can Northmore Gordon support an Energy Innovation Fund Round 3 application?

We can manage the entire application process, including confirming eligibility and project readiness, shaping projects to maximize grant competitiveness, and preparing and lodging strong applications. Our expertise spans energy audits and feasibility studies for industrial facilities, renewable heat assessments, electrification pathway analysis, measurement and verification, and carbon advisory services. For food and beverage operations specifically, our sector guidance addresses production requirements, operational constraints, and coordinated assessment of heating, cooling and energy systems.

What role does electrification play in Victoria's net-zero transition?

Industrial electrification is a core decarbonisation strategy for reaching Victoria's net-zero emissions target by 2045. By replacing fossil fuel heating with electric technologies powered by renewable energy, food and beverage manufacturers can achieve significant scope 1 and 2 emissions reductions. Round 3 supports this transition by funding capital projects that demonstrate technical and commercial viability. Our process heat and electrification guidance supports businesses in assessing temperature requirements, electrical constraints, reliability needs and economic implications of this transition.

What should a food and beverage business prepare before applying for Round 3?

Businesses should begin with a clear understanding of their energy use and process heating requirements. We recommend preparing a project brief identifying site location, operating constraints, existing equipment specifications, proposed electrification scope, available energy data, and the decision timeline. An energy audit or feasibility study can establish baseline consumption, identify major heating loads, assess electrical infrastructure readiness, and develop cost estimates. Early preparation of this evidence supports both grant eligibility assessment and the investment-case development needed for internal approval.

Images on This Page