Western Australia (WA) silicon manufacturer Simcoa Operations has received a $39.8 million (USD 25 million) investment from the Australian government in support of maintaining the country’s manufacturing capability of silicon.
As a key component of solar panels, the funding is part of the third batch of the Powering the Regions Fund’s (PRFs) $600 million Safeguard Transformation Stream (STS), which supports decarbonisation of Australia’s heavy industry covered by the Safeguard Mechanism.
Image: Simcoa
The funds will allow the company’s Wellesley-based facility, located 150 kilometres south of Perth, to expand charcoal production and remove the use of coal in silicon making.
Substituting coal with renewable charcoal will reduce Simcoa’s emissions by 89%, or over 100,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to taking around 30,000 cars off the road.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the federal government is building a Future Made in Australia by backing manufacturing and securing jobs that support regional communities.
“That’s why we are investing in Simcoa and ensuring silicon used in solar panels and products vital for our clean energy transformation not only survives but thrives in a net zero economy,” Bowen said.
“This investment will help industry stay in Australia to support a future of clean energy jobs and low-emissions products made right here.”
Simcoa produces high purity silicon suitable for use in Australia and exported overseas, and is capable of producing more than 52,000 tonnes of high purity silicon and 13,000 tonnes of silica fume annually.
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