Clean energy budget stakes $2b on renewable hydrogen

Cheap loans for energy upgrades and nation-building new industries have been backed in the budget to permanently reduce power bills and create clean jobs.

As well as targeted energy bill relief for households, there is a plan for communities to take advantage of savings from smarter power use and the global boom in clean energy.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged the global investment landscape for renewable energy and low-carbon manufacturing had changed with "significant international policies" requiring a $4 billion top-up to protect Australia's transformation.

The 2023/24 budget takes the Albanese government's "renewables superpower" investment to $40 billion.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the measures would cut emissions, reduce pressure on power bills and set Australia up as a renewable energy powerhouse for jobs, exports and growth.

A new Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre will support local manufacturing of renewable energy technology.

Households and businesses will access $1.6 billion in low-cost loans for energy upgrades to improve energy use and pay less on power bills.

Some $1 billion will go to the federal Clean Energy Finance Corporation to work with banks and other lenders to upgrade homes with battery-ready solar panels, appliances and other equipment.

"This will help more than 110,000 households lower their energy bills," Mr Bowen said.

The Household Energy Upgrades Fund includes $300 million to retrofit social housing, co-funded with states and territories, which is expected to slash up to one-third of the properties' energy consumption. 

"These are the Australians who can't afford - and would benefit most - from energy upgrades," he said. 

Up to 3.8 million small and medium-sized businesses will have access to a tax incentive for one year from July 1 to help unlock energy savings.

Energy regulators get $80 million over four years so energy markets can supply reliable, secure and affordable energy.

The already announced national Net Zero Authority will make sure workers in traditional heavy industries don't miss out.

"In the global race for new energy jobs and investment, we were falling behind the pack," Mr Bowen said.

To stop the capital and brain drain to the United States, where generous clean energy tax breaks are available, the budget papers also include $2 billion to bankroll flagship renewable hydrogen projects.

The "hydrogen headstart" is intended to bridge the gap for projects that are not yet commercial, plug into new global supply chains, and put Australia on course for adding up to a gigawatt of electrolyser capacity by 2030.

Some $38.2 million for a guarantee of origin scheme will certify renewable energy and track and verify emissions from clean energy products – in particular hydrogen - to accelerate investment in Australian hydrogen.

Citing "intensifying global competition" in clean energy, the budget papers allocate $5.6 million to analysis in 2023 on how to boost the competitiveness of the industry and manufacturers.

Already agreed with states and territories, the budget also provides funding for initial auctions under the new Capacity Investment Scheme for clean, dispatchable power assets across the country.

Responding to calls to carve up the $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund, some $600 million will go to trade-exposed heavy industries who must cut emissions under the recently legislated safeguard mechanism.

Clean energy industries including green steel, cement, lime, aluminium and alumina are also on the list of winners, as are regional industrial facilities that need to decarbonise, including rail and aviation.

The measures build on the $20 billion Rewiring the Nation program, $800 million in support for electric vehicles, and $3 billion from the National Reconstruction Fund for renewables and low emission technologies.