French energy giant EDF sets up Australian base in Melbourne

French energy giant EDF is putting down firm roots in the Australian renewable energy market, with the establishment of a local headquarters and team in Melbourne.

The news was revealed on LinkedIn this week by former Jemena executive, James Katsikas, who has been appointed as country manager of Australia for EDF International.

Katsikas says EDF’s initial focus in Australia will be investing in long duration storage – and mainly pumped hydro – as well as utility-scale batteries, electricity transmission infrastructure and the green hydrogen value chain.

EDF is mostly known for operating the vast nuclear energy fleet in France, but has been rapidly expanding its renewable energy portfolio, which it has built up to more than 15,000MW in 22 different countries, and aims to build this to 60,000MW by 2030.

In Australia, the company’s first renewable energy play came in 2021, with the 280MW Banana range wind project in Queensland that also has planning approval for battery storage.

Later that same year, EDF was revealed to be looking to build up a portfolio of large-scale solar assets in the Hunter Valley, with an eye on the renewable energy zone planned for one of the country’s major coal regions.

Katsikas takes up the new role with EDF following a more than 11-year stint at China-owned Australian energy utility Jemena, where he most recently led its “decarbonisation investment journey,” according to his LinkedIn profile.

“It’s fantastic to see a business of EDF’s size, scale and expertise demonstrating its commitment to Australia’s by setting up with a clear strategy, providing access to international capital and investing in a locally based team to lead investment analysis,” said Katsikas this week.

“I’m particularly excited by the opportunity to lead a team that will operate out of Melbourne and consist of both local and EDF international resources.”