Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investments unit has launched Aula Energy, a new venture dedicated to securing long-term investment capital for onshore renewable energy projects.
Aula Energy marks the newest addition to Macquarie Asset Management’s array of specialized ventures aimed at facilitating the energy transition. This initiative complements platforms concentrating on global offshore wind, European solar, pan-Asian renewables, and standalone battery storage.
Key Takeaways from ConstructionFront.com:
- Despite the recent cuts from the Federal Government in infrastructure spending, the pipeline of projects and activity in the renewable energy sector in Australia remains strong.
- Australia has been working to create a robust legal framework for renewable and hydrogen energy initiatives, aiming to unlock investments in the area.
Aula Energy - About the company
Aula Energy aims to construct and manage utility-scale wind, solar, and integrated battery ventures in the Australian and New Zealand markets, ensuring a diversified portfolio of actively managed green energy generation assets.
Leveraging Macquarie’s 17-year history of renewable energy investment, the venture unites a proficient local team adept at developing and commercializing onshore renewables.
With a focus on future energy demands, Aula Energy aims to construct, expand, and sustain a long-term business using cutting-edge capabilities to originate, develop, construct, and operate utility-scale wind, solar, and integrated battery projects across these markets.
Aula Energy - Leadership
The leadership of Chad Hymas, boasting two decades of comprehensive experience across various facets of the energy industry, is set to steer Aula Energy’s vision. Mr. Hymas articulated that the venture aims to become a premier green independent power producer in Australia and New Zealand, dedicated to providing sustainable energy solutions for the future through robust partnerships.
He emphasized the critical aspect of the venture’s approach: the sustainable long-term development of assets. Mr. Hymas highlighted the pivotal role of partnerships in achieving significant impacts, emphasizing a focus on forging enduring relationships and meaningful collaborations to drive project development.
Lachlan Creswell, who heads Macquarie Asset Management’s specialist Green Investments team for Australia and New Zealand, underlined that Aula Energy will broaden and diversify its onshore portfolio. He noted the company’s unique and diverse portfolio, catering to rising demands from commercial and industrial off-takers within the growing renewable energy markets.
Aula Energy - Portfolio
Aula Energy’s initial portfolio aims for a substantial capacity of 4 GW across various Australian states, ensuring grid connection potential for each project.
In collaboration with Green Wind Renewables, Aula Energy is spearheading the development of a cluster of large-scale onshore wind farms in Western Australia, collectively amounting to around 2.4 GW*.
Aula Energy also anticipates the development of assets in other Australian states, such as New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia, which has recently approved the hydrogen and renewable energy bill.
Notably, the company has highlighted the construction of Boulder Creek Wind Farm near Rockhampton (Queensland) is expected to commence in early 2024. According to the project’s website, the new farm will have up to 60 wind turbines generating circa 372MW.
Macquarie Asset Management - Renewable Energy Plaftorms
Aula Energy joins Macquarie Asset Management’s specialized suite of businesses, responding to escalating global interest in diversified investment prospects within renewable portfolios. This suite includes:
Platform | Focus | Year Established |
Pan-Asian renewable energy platform | 2018 | |
Solar energy developer across Europe | 2021 | |
Global specialist in offshore wind | 2022 | |
Global focus on battery storage | 2022 |
