Australia Explores 50,000-Tonne Polysilicon Plant to Strengthen Solar Supply Chain

Australia Explores 50,000-Tonne Polysilicon Plant to Strengthen Solar Supply Chain Photograph: (Archive)

Australia has taken a step towards establishing a domestic polysilicon manufacturing industry, with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) supporting a feasibility study for a large-scale facility capable of producing 50,000 tonnes of polysilicon annually.

The study, being led by Energus under ARENA's Solar Sunshot programme, will assess the commercial and technical viability of developing a polysilicon manufacturing facility at the Hunter Energy Hub in New South Wales. The proposed facility would support between 10 GW and 40 GW of solar manufacturing capacity and is aimed at strengthening Australia's position in the global solar supply chain.

ARENA has committed A$1.4 million towards the project, which has a total cost of A$2.81 million. The study commenced in May 2025 and is expected to run until July 2027.

The initiative comes as Australia seeks to reduce its dependence on imported polysilicon, a critical raw material used in solar photovoltaic manufacturing. According to the study, the global polysilicon supply chain remains concentrated in a handful of countries, exposing Australia to supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical risks."The feasibility study aims to address knowledge gaps in cost, design, engineering and supply chain factors necessary to support the development of a 10-40 GW capacity facility producing 50,000 tonnes of polysilicon per annum," the ARENA document stated.

As part of the study, Energus will establish a consortium to evaluate commercial, engineering, operational and regulatory aspects of the project. The work will include market assessments, infrastructure planning, supply chain analysis, engineering feasibility studies, energy requirement estimates and project development timelines. The Hunter Energy Hub has been identified as the preferred location, with the study examining infrastructure requirements such as power and water availability needed to support large-scale polysilicon production.

The findings are expected to provide a roadmap for establishing a commercial-scale polysilicon industry in Australia and support broader efforts under the Solar Sunshot programme to localise key segments of the solar manufacturing value chain. According to ARENA, the project aims to support innovation in polysilicon manufacturing while addressing barriers to domestic production, including the potential for a green polysilicon premium and pathways for creating a reliable Australian supply of the material.

If found viable, the project could mark a significant milestone in Australia's efforts to build an integrated solar manufacturing ecosystem and reduce reliance on imported materials critical to the country's clean energy transition.

Source article: https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/australia-explores-50000-tonne-polysilicon-plant-to-strengthen-solar-supply-chain-11903122