Renewable energy
Australia is targeting a national renewable electricity target of 82 per cent by 2030 as a key step in the achievement of net zero emissions by 2050.
CEFC capital is playing a leading role in nurturing the development of large-scale renewables across Australia. Lifetime commitments of more than $7.4 billion to 31 December 2023 have backed 5.3 GW of new solar and wind generation capacity. These investments have also crowded in substantial private sector investment and supported the entry of new developers, contractors, suppliers and offtakers to the Australian market.
Increasingly, CEFC capital is backing renewable developments alongside energy storage and grid-balancing technologies, as well as early-stage projects. Large-scale solar and wind generation is critical to delivering the clean energy that will power our low emissions economy of the future. Renewable energy will also underpin the electrification of a vast range of existing commercial, industrial and residential activities, enable our electric vehicle transition and lay the foundations for our emerging green hydrogen industry.
Large-scale solar and the race to net zero emissions
This Investment Insight highlights some of the key market developments experienced in our first decade as a large-scale solar investor.
Read moreBelieving in Australian renewables
Neoen Deputy CEO Romain Desrousseaux says he has always seen Australia as an attractive investment destination although he admits it hasn’t always been easy.
Read our articleGolden Plains – Bridge to Contracting
CEFC Head of Wind Joe Harber takes a close look at the importance of the financing model which has enabled the development of the Golden Plains Wind Farm in Victoria.
Read moreRead our reports
The Generator Operations Series
Read our series of analyses of the detailed operational data from utility-scale renewables on the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Report One: Large-scale Solar Operations
Report Two: Ramp Rates for Solar and Wind Generators on the NEM
Report Three: Negative pricing and bidding behaviour on the NEM
Report Four: Forecasts vs Actuals from the LSS projects
Report Five: Benchmarking large-scale solar PV performance in Australia
Report Six: Unlocking Curtailed Solar Energy on the NEM through Storage
Insights from the first wave of large-scale solar projects in Australia
Watch
Golden Plains Wind Farm: decarbonising our energy grid
Construction has started on the Golden Plains Wind Farm in Victoria, the first fully merchant wind farm in Australia to be financed by commercial lenders. The CEFC has committed up to $175 million to develop Stage 1 of the project. The development was named Asia Pacific Renewables Deal of the Year in the 2022 Project Finance International Awards.
Case study
Golden Plains Wind Farm supports grid decarbonisation
Read moreWe are delighted to work with the CEFC in our first investment in Australia. The CEFC’s ten years of experience developing Australia’s wind farm sector, combined with our deep expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to this market, will bring long-term benefits to Australia, through clean energy generation, emissions reduction and economic opportunities.Franck WoitiezCEO, TagEnergy
Neoen projects provide battery boost for grid
Read moreThis transaction underlines the unique depth of our portfolio in Australia. It serves to strengthen our owner operator business model and provides us with a solid foundation for future growth.Jean-Christophe CheylusCEO, Neoen Australia
Big battery boost for WA renewable energy future
Read moreLong duration storage has an important role to play in decarbonising the WA energy network and transitioning to a grid powered by renewable energy. Running from Kalbarri in the north to Albany in the south and Kalgoorlie in the east, the SWIS network is vital to a stable energy supply across this vast state.Monique MillerChief Investment Officer – Renewables and Sustainable Finance, CEFC
Major Neoen projects drive critical minerals decarbonisation
Read moreThe challenge of reducing emissions across the economy starts with the energy sector. The offtake agreement with BHP demonstrates how reducing energy emissions accelerates decarbonisation across the economy.Ian LearmonthCEO, CEFC
Powering Microsoft data centres with Walla Walla sunshine
Read moreFRV’s capabilities to deliver results in the Australian energy market will support our transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025 and beyond as we continue to innovate with capable counterparties to meet our goals.Steven WorrallManaging Director, Microsoft Australia and New Zealand
Golden Plains Wind Farm supports grid decarbonisation
Read moreWe are delighted to work with the CEFC in our first investment in Australia. The CEFC’s ten years of experience developing Australia’s wind farm sector, combined with our deep expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to this market, will bring long-term benefits to Australia, through clean energy generation, emissions reduction and economic opportunities.Franck WoitiezCEO, TagEnergy
Neoen projects provide battery boost for grid
Read moreThis transaction underlines the unique depth of our portfolio in Australia. It serves to strengthen our owner operator business model and provides us with a solid foundation for future growth.Jean-Christophe CheylusCEO, Neoen Australia
Big battery boost for WA renewable energy future
Read moreLong duration storage has an important role to play in decarbonising the WA energy network and transitioning to a grid powered by renewable energy. Running from Kalbarri in the north to Albany in the south and Kalgoorlie in the east, the SWIS network is vital to a stable energy supply across this vast state.Monique MillerChief Investment Officer – Renewables and Sustainable Finance, CEFC
Major Neoen projects drive critical minerals decarbonisation
Read moreThe challenge of reducing emissions across the economy starts with the energy sector. The offtake agreement with BHP demonstrates how reducing energy emissions accelerates decarbonisation across the economy.Ian LearmonthCEO, CEFC
Powering Microsoft data centres with Walla Walla sunshine
Read moreFRV’s capabilities to deliver results in the Australian energy market will support our transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025 and beyond as we continue to innovate with capable counterparties to meet our goals.Steven WorrallManaging Director, Microsoft Australia and New Zealand
Golden Plains Wind Farm supports grid decarbonisation
Read moreWe are delighted to work with the CEFC in our first investment in Australia. The CEFC’s ten years of experience developing Australia’s wind farm sector, combined with our deep expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to this market, will bring long-term benefits to Australia, through clean energy generation, emissions reduction and economic opportunities.Franck WoitiezCEO, TagEnergy