Australia officially launches feasibility study for 50,000 tons of polysilicon

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The 25th National \"Safety Production Month\" in 2026: Everyone talks about safety, and everyone knows how to handle emergencies; identifying and addressing risks and hazards. -------------------------------------------------- This project is led by the Australian company Energus and is intended to be implemented at the Hunter Energy Hub in New South Wales. It represents the first upstream manufacturing project to enter the practical implementation phase under the federal government’s \"Solar Sunshot\" program. The total investment for the project is 2.81 million Australian dollars, of which ARENA will contribute 1.4 million Australian dollars. The research period is expected to last until mid-2027. The facility is designed to produce 50,000 tons of polysilicon annually. Depending on the technological route employed, it can support a photovoltaic module manufacturing capacity of approximately 10 to 40 gigawatts, which is sufficient to meet domestic demand in Australia and cater to export markets. Australia is currently almost entirely dependent on imported polysilicon, and this study aims to assess whether it is possible to rebuild domestic production capacity on a commercially viable basis. However, cost and policy challenges are equally significant. According to the study plan submitted by Energus, the total capital expenditure for this factory is expected to range from 2.5 to 3.5 billion Australian dollars, which is two to three times the cost of building a similar factory in China. If the project is commercially viable, it will require the government to provide an upfront grant of A$1–1.5 billion and production subsidies for 10 consecutive years. It is worth noting that the Australian federal government has recently cut funding for certain manufacturing subsidy programs, including Solar Sunshot, and there is uncertainty regarding the implementation of future budgets. Daren Miller, CEO of ARENA, said the study was aimed at answering the key question of whether Australia can produce world-class polysilicon economically. Energus pointed out that the Hunter Energy Hub boasts comprehensive advantages, including industrial land, access to clean energy, and port logistics. Upon completion of the research, it will serve as an important basis for deciding whether to proceed with the front-end design of the project and make the final investment decision. Should the project be ultimately approved, it will be Australia’s first 10,000-ton polysilicon production facility in nearly two decades, serving as a benchmark for the regional restructuring of the global photovoltaic supply chain