Category: Residential Electricity Supply

22 March 2024

Australia’s first 1.5°C energy company has successfully completed its debt capital raising. The outcome confirms increasing interest and confidence among high net worth and institutional investors in ZEN’s business strategy.

ZEN’s ambitious growth plans have been supported by organisations including private debt investment manager Longreach Credit Investors, ethical superannuation fund Future Group, ASX listed financial service provider Income Asset Management (IAM), leading WA property investment firm Hesperia, Samuel Terry Asset Management and impact investors.

ZEN closed Tranche A of the capital program at $54M in September 2023. The successful conclusion of the Tranche B capital raising closed the overall program at $160M. This comes just after ZEN’s announcement that it has reached financial close on its 100% owned energy storage asset, a 111-megawatt, 291 megawatt-hour battery located at Templers, 60km north of Adelaide.

A third of the funds raised were from existing investors, shareholders, and employees, demonstrating the depth of support for ZEN’s business model.

Investor confidence in ZEN enables the business to continue to pursue its ambitious growth plans, which centre around enabling large energy users to reduce their carbon footprint in an efficient manner.

Quotes attributable to ZEN’s CEO, Anthony Garnaut:
“We welcome the latest group of institutional and impact investors, including Longreach and Future Group, into ZEN’s ecosystem of partners with aligned sustainability goals.

“Meeting our capital raising goal means we can continue to scale our business model, including by taking the next step in building out our portfolio of renewable energy and storage assets.

“With this injection of capital, ZEN will also be able to scale our existing and attract new sustainability driven customers, accelerating their journey to the zero carbon future.”

Quotes attributable to Longreach Credit Investors Chief Commercial Officer, Alex Nisbet: “Longreach Credit Investors is pleased to have supported ZEN in this debt raising. ZEN is well positioned to be a key player in driving the renewable energy transition in Australia and is another example of the high-quality Australian businesses and management teams that we seek to partner with.”

Quotes attributable to Future Group Executive Director Investments, Sharon Davis:
“Future Group injected $30M of capital into ZEN Energy, enabling the business to retain 100 per cent ownership of its first major asset, the 291-megawatt-hour Templers Battery in regional South Australia.

“Using superannuation’s $3.4 trillion can unlock climate solutions and investments. Zen Energy’s ESG-driven business reflects the values of Future Group’s, leading the investment movement to advocate for a future worth retiring into.”

Quotes attributable to Income Asset Management (IAM) Executive Director – Debt Capital, Tim Smith:
“IAM is a proud supporter of ZEN’s ambitious renewable energy strategy and have been delighted to be a joint lead manager on this transaction. We believe it is a significant milestone in the context of Australia’s rapidly evolving private credit market. This transaction is a testament to the ZEN management team and a large step toward achieving its long-term aspiration of becoming an investment grade issuer.”

Media contact:

Paul Sheridan
0410 516 656
paul.sheridan@zenenergy.com.au

19 March 2024

Construction of South Australia’s second largest energy storage project will boost reliability of electricity supply as the state leads the way nationally to become powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by 2027.

Local business success story ZEN Energy today announced with the South Australian Government that construction of the 111-Megawatt, 291 Megawatt-hour battery will commence at Templers, 60km north of Adelaide, following a final investment decision, or financial ‘lock up’ milestone.

ZEN and private partner investors are financing the project. Local employment will be a priority during construction, with more than 180 jobs being created. The battery will be operational in 2025.
The Templers battery will also add significant stability to the electricity grid as South Australia builds toward becoming a renewable energy superpower through its investments in green manufacturing.

ZEN has quickly grown since it began in 2004 to become a leading national renewable energy retailer, supplying the SA Government, Bunnings, and CSIRO, as well as a network of councils in the eastern states.

Other key points:

• ZEN’s ability to construct the battery has been enabled through the South Australian Government’s commitment to a long-term energy contract with the company.
• ZEN has brought together an extensive ecosystem of sustainability driven partners – which includes Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specialising in infrastructure and real assets, through its portfolio company Peak Energy and French financial institution Natixis CIB. ZEN was advised by corporate advisory firm Azure Capital.
• Stonepeak’s funding through an innovative structure has facilitated ZEN’s ownership of the Templers Battery, with opportunities to extend the support as ZEN delivers against its significant pipeline of renewable assets.
• Ethical superannuation fund Future Super recently invested $30 million in ZEN, which is integral to projects like the Templers battery.
• Consolidated Power Projects Australia will be completing the engineering design and installation. Sungrow Power Supply Co. and Shanxi Electric Power will be providing relevant equipment for the construction of the Templers battery.
• ElectraNet, the owner and operator of South Australia’s high voltage transmission network will build and maintain the dedicated connection to the Templers battery

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy and Mining, the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis MP:  “South Australia led the pack when we invested in the Hornsdale Power Reserve, and our state is now home to six grid-connected batteries with a total capacity of more than 500MW.

“These investments are a big vote of confidence in our state’s ambitious plan to get to net zero emissions in energy production by 2027, and to help the world along the pathway to decarbonisation.”

“Like South Australia, ZEN was an early mover in the renewable energy space. It’s great to see a home-grown success story joining us in the journey to a decarbonised economy.”

Quotes attributable to ZEN Energy CEO, Anthony Garnaut:

“Realising the final investment decision for the Templers battery is a key milestone in ZEN’s significant growth and marks our first 100 per cent owned major asset, in the state where we started.”

“The South Australian Government, through committing to a long-term contract with a renewable retailer has enabled this significant investment in further stabilising the supply of renewable, affordable energy into South Australia.”

“Commitment and support from our capital partners including Stonepeak, Natixis Bank, Future Super and other leading institutions including Longreach, IAM (Income Asset Management) and Azure capital enables ZEN to continue to bring more renewable assets to the Australian grid and in South Australia.”

“Through enabling an eco-system of renewable energy suppliers, the South Australian Government continues to shore up investment growth into the state.”

Media contact:
Paul Sheridan
0410 516 656
paul.sheridan@zenenergy.com.au

22 February 2024

The world’s largest 100% renewable energy company, ACCIONA Energía, has doubled down on its relationship with Australian-owned ZEN Energy, signing a second 10-year energy offtake deal from the Waubra Wind Farm in the central highlands of Victoria.

At its peak, the new agreement increases ZEN’s acquisition to over 70% of the total renewable energy produced by the Waubra Wind Farm, elevating its annual offtake to approximately 400,000MWh.

The Waubra Wind Farm, with a capacity of 192MW, is a critical asset in Victoria’s network of renewable energy infrastructure.

Commencing in January 2024, the agreement bolsters the original offtake that began in 2022 and sees ZEN’s partnership with ACCIONA Energía continue until at least December 2033.

“This new agreement underscores our commitment to long-term, sustainable growth and the role we play in Australia’s renewable energy sector. By securing 400,000MWh per year, we are doubling down on our partnership with ACCIONA Energía, supporting our growth plans and our customers on their journey to 100% renewables,” said Anthony Garnaut, CEO of ZEN Energy.

The enduring partnership with ACCIONA Energía manifests ZEN’s resolve to support large-scale renewable developments and the delivery of sustainable power to its customers.

“Demand for renewable energy from commercial partners continues to grow as businesses respond to shareholder and customer expectations,” said ACCIONA Energia Managing Director Brett Wickham.

“Partnerships with ZEN are critical for businesses such as ours and help underwrite investment in future domestic renewable energy projects and deliver upon the energy transition,” said Mr Wickham.

This deal acts as a catalyst for ZEN’s further diversification and strengthening of its renewable energy portfolio, as part of its sustained growth strategy. It illustrates an enduring partnership ethos and signals confidence in renewable infrastructure investment as a mechanism for leadership in the transition to a zero-carbon world.

About ACCIONA Energía

ACCIONA Energía is the largest 100% renewable energy company with no fossil legacy in the world. It has 12.9GW of renewable energy and commercial operations in 20 countries. With 30 years of experience, ACCIONA Energía offers a complete portfolio of tailor-made energy solutions for its corporate and institutional clients to meet their decarbonization goals. ACCIONA Energía is committed to the highest environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards. ACCIONA S.A., a leading global company in the provision of regenerative solutions for a decarbonized economy, is the reference shareholder of ACCIONA Energía. www.acciona-energia.com

13 January 2024

SEEK’s Australian operations will be 100% powered by renewable energy in a new partnership with ZEN Energy. From July 2024, the partnership will see SEEK’s domestic operations supplied by renewable energy from three wind farms in regional Victoria. SEEK has also committed to purchase further renewable energy certificates each year, which will contribute to reducing its energy emissions across its international operations in New Zealand, Asia and Latin America.

The Renewable Energy Certificates, which are traceable under Australia’s Renewable Energy Target program and overseen by the Australian government’s Clean Energy Regulator, support SEEK’s Climate Active certification and goal of achieving net zero emissions.

“SEEK’s target is to achieve net zero across all emissions scopes by 2030. We are also committed to 40% emissions reduction across all scopes by 2025. Partnering with ZEN Energy to transition to renewable energy across our office operations will be a significant step towards achieving these goals” said Kate Koch, SEEK’s Chief Financial Officer.

As a result of switching to 100% renewable energy and purchasing renewable energy certificates, SEEK is supporting Australia’s transformation to a net-zero economy and will be reducing its carbon impact by approximately 1,000 tonnes of CO2e annually.

In addition to SEEK’s commitment across their office operations, Cremorne Properties, landlord of SEEK’s global headquarters in Melbourne, has also committed to 100% renewable electricity for the base building from July 2024.

“Australia’s success in the energy transition is underpinned by the actions that we all can take. To have a company like SEEK take steps in Australia to create change is inspiring,” said Anthony Garnaut, CEO ZEN Energy.

Supply of renewable energy will commence with ZEN Energy from July 2024.

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About SEEK
SEEK is a global leader in online employment marketplaces, helping people live more fulfilling and productive working lives and helping organisations succeed.

SEEK has an international presence that spans Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico, and has minority investments in China, South Korea and a number of other countries.
SEEK’s platforms are used by approximately 60 million candidates worldwide, we have relationships with over 450,000 hirers and exposure to around 900 million people.

For more information on SEEK’s sustainability approach, visit SEEK’s Sustainability page.