Danish giant launches Australian renewables play with 6 GW of wind, solar and battery plans

Danish energy giant Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has launched a new all-Australian subsidiary called Voyager Renewables, with a 10-year plan to develop six gigawatts (6 GW) of onshore wind and solar, and “a network” of big batteries across the country.

The new offshoot of the global behemoth CIP announced its “official launch” in a rather low-key fashion on LinkedIn on Thursday, unveiling a brand new website with a portfolio of three very early-stage projects in Victoria and New South Wales.

In NSW, an onshore wind farm called Sunnyside is being proposed for the state’s South-West Renewable Energy Zone and another project, called Energy Oasis, is proposing to combing wind, solar and a battery storage in the state’s west.

In Victoria, Voyager says it is “investigating” a large-scale wind and battery storage project in the state’s western tablelands “that would unlock the region’s wind potential” and support economic growth for its communities.

The Newcastle-headquartered company also claims to be developing “a network of battery energy storage system projects across Australia” that it says will be announced soon.

And while the project portfolio details are vague, the new company’s foundation as a subsidiary of CIP is about as rock solid as it gets. The Danish giant has more than $50 billion in green energy investments under management and a global renewables pipeline of around 120 GW.

In Australia, CIP made its first move into the local market in late 2017 with an investment in Star of the South – Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project. It has since built up a pipeline of more than 40 GW in “active development opportunities” including plans for a 240 MW, two hour (480MWh) battery in South Australia.

“Voyager Renewables is built upon Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ global delivery expertise and operational experience with a clear focus on maintaining local partnerships that create benefits from the ground up,” the new website says.

“We’re here to grow the Australian energy sector with new large-scale wind, solar and battery energy storage solutions that will deliver tangible benefits to the regions.

“We have built an exceptional team of industry specialists headquartered in Newcastle in New South Wales – bringing together expertise in clean energy infrastructure, project development, delivery and operations. We also have offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.”

Mark Branson, who is Voyager Renewables’ chief development officer, says the decision to set up HQ in Newcastle was strategic.

“Newcastle has always been at the centre of the National Electricity Market and it has serious pedigree for providing the skills and depth of experience to service the energy sector,” Branson told Renew Economy on Thursday.

“We are investing in the regions, from our headquarters at the heart of the energy transition, and with local businesses at our project sites in regional communities.

“By originating and developing projects from the ground up, we have a long-term stake in building strong community relationships and delivering value to regional Australia,” Branson said.

“We have an astute and ambitious investor in Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and we are building a pipeline of opportunities to meet its high investment standards.”