Coal-free silicon production in Australia

Published on 27 March 2025

The Net Zero Economy Authority welcomes the announcement of a $39.8 million grant to help Australia’s only silicon manufacturer reduce its emissions.

Simcoa Operations, only a short distance from one of the Authority’s priority regions in Collie, WA, will substitute coal with renewable charcoal. This will reduce Simcoa’s emissions by 89%, or over 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year - as much as taking around 30,000 cars off the road. 

Silicon is a major component in the makeup of the most common types of solar panels. Decarbonising the production process of silicon can mean silicon-based solar panels have a lower emissions profile, reducing their impact on the environment. 

One of the Authority’s priorities is to ensure that regions like Collie and its surrounding areas, their workers and communities, are supported to take advantage of new opportunities presented by the transition to net zero.

Not only does the funding support emission reduction efforts, it improves job security for 220 direct employees and will create new roles. This contributes to the economic stability of the South West region of Western Australia, ensuring that the transition to net zero is something communities benefit from.

The investment has been provided under the Powering the Regions Fund - Safeguard Transformation Stream.