Small solar and battery specialist adds another 27 projects as it buys up competitor

A Sydney-based renewables developer backed by a New York-based investment giant has inked a deal to buy a portfolio of 27 small solar and battery projects, in a bid to bolster its supply of “low‑cost and reliable” energy to businesses seeking to decarbonise.

CleanPeak Energy announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of Sustainable Energy Infrastructure (SEI) – one of Australia’s largest owners and developers of sub-5 megawatt (MW) solar and battery assets.

SEI is managed by global real assets investment manager Patrizia and specialises in the development of “distributed” energy infrastructure, which has less onerous connection requirements than larger scale facilities.

The Adelaide-based company currently operates 71 MWac of solar generating capacity across 16 sites and 42 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across 11 sites in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, including three hybrid solar and storage projects.

CleanPeak, which was founded by former Citi banker Philip Graham in 2017, develops and buys up solar and battery assets to meet the energy needs of corporate customers – a mission that last July won a $550 million vote of confidence from US equity giant KKR.

Earlier in 2025, CleanPeak bought up the Australian solar portfolio of Dutch-based renewables investor Photon Energy, including 15 MW of operating solar farms and a development stage 8.2 MW, 10.9 MWh solar battery hybrid facility – all located in New South Wales.

CleanPeak says the acquisition of SEI will add to its in-front-of-the-meter solar portfolio in line with its growth strategy over the next three to five years, while its geographically diverse asset base will boost growth of CleanPeak’s retail business.

“By integrating SEI into our platform, we are not only expanding our national footprint but also strengthening our ability to provide low‑cost and reliable renewable energy to customers,” Graham said in a statement on Thursday.

“This acquisition positions us to accelerate the growth of our retail business while continuing to lead in the development of distributed energy solutions. We’re excited to build on SEI’s strong foundations and unlock the next phase of growth together.”

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