It is expected that projects and initiatives funded through the RAR Initiative will contribute to the following outcomes: within five years, result in at least 150MW of renewable energy projects in off-grid and fringe-of-grid locations where fossil fuels are currently or would otherwise be used. This would include two or more ≥ 10MW projects the renewable energy capacity is appropriately utilised for at least five years following commissioning key roadblocks to the greater implementation of renewable energy are removed, including, but not limited to integration and control system risk, and low reliability perceptions regional communities and industry gain more skills in operating and maintaining renewable energy solutions knowledge produced and disseminated regarding the economic viability of renewable energy solutions in remote areas catalyses further commercially based renewable energy deployment. Guidelines section 1.6 PROGRAM FUNDING MODEL The RAR Initiative has up to $400 million to allocate as financial assistance to the I-RAR and CARRE programs. These funds are not specifically allocated to either program. The allocation of funds across RAR Initiative programs will be at the absolute discretion of ARENA. ARENA will enter into a Funding Agreement with a single lead party to receive funding for each project. Funding may be provided in the form of grants for capital expenditure, revenue support or other means as may be determined by the ARENA Board in accordance with the ARENA Act. There is no minimum or maximum funding available per project, subject only to the overall funding allocation. ARENA requires that every project will include co-investment, both cash or in-kind (or both), from sources other than ARENA or the Australian Government. Guidelines sections 1.11-1.14 REGIONAL AUSTRALIA’S RENEWABLES – INDUSTRY PROGRAM The Manual applies only to the I-RAR program under the RAR Initiative. The I-RAR program will contribute to the RAR Initiative objectives and outcomes by funding near-commercial generation or enabling technology (or both) to increase the uptake or long-term cost competitiveness of renewable energy. Projects must include demonstration and use of one or more renewable energy solutions and/or enabling technologies, including hybrid or integrated systems.
Applicants must notify ARENA promptly and in writing of any change to the capacity of the applicant to undertake the project successfully, including any change to the skills, resources, or corporate or financial backing available to the project. Quality of project design (technical feasibility). ARENA must be satisfied that the project is an appropriate and effective way of meeting the project’s proposed outcomes and demonstrates a business model that supports widespread commercial application of the technologies implemented in the project. Expression of Interest The applicant may demonstrate merit by describing briefly: the main technical outcome to be delivered by the project, including key milestones and dates the track record and experience of the applicant in developing and demonstrating the technology outlined in the project proposal the innovative aspects of the project that represent a significant step forward in the demonstration or application of the renewable energy solution or integrated generation system in off-grid or locations. Full Application The applicant may demonstrate merit by detailing: the technology choices and rationale, including the relationship to the technology providers resource data supporting technology choice the technology readiness of each key technology including the accreditation of the technology and international and/or Australian application experience in implementing at scale whole system solutions including storage, integration and control systems for renewable energy and/or integrated generation systems a business model to facilitate funding for the implementation and operation of renewable energy systems. The overall risk associated with the project including, without limitation: compliance, technical, planning and financial risks. This criterion assesses any other risks not identified when assessing the other merit criteria, as well as the overall risk of the project not being completed successfully, considering as a whole any project compliance, technical, planning, financial and work health and safety risks and the steps the applicant proposes to take to mitigate those risks, and where relevant, the allocation of risks between ARENA and the project participant. This risk assessment may also take into account other risks identified during the assessment of the project, including from information obtained from sources other than the applicant.