Macquarie Asset Management has officially launched Aula Energy, a new onshore renewables business aimed at contributing to the growing demand for clean energy in Australia and New Zealand. The platform, with an initial project pipeline of 4 GW, is set to play a pivotal role in the development, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and integrated battery projects.
Included in Aula Energy's inaugural portfolio is the 372-MW Boulder Creek wind project in Queensland and several large-scale onshore wind parks in Western Australia, totaling up to 2.4 GW, co-developed in partnership with Green Wind Renewables. The platform also has plans for projects in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.
Lachlan Creswell, head of Macquarie's Green Investments team in Australia, highlighted Aula Energy as an opportunity for both Australian and international investors to access a unique and diversified portfolio. He emphasized its significance amid the increasing demand from commercial and industrial off-takers in the evolving renewable energy markets of the region.
Aula Energy's establishment follows Macquarie Asset Management's foray into specialized sectors, such as offshore wind with Corio and battery storage development through Eku Energy, both launched last year. The newly-formed platform will be led by Chad Hymas, a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in the energy industry. The move underscores Macquarie's commitment to expanding its footprint in the renewable energy landscape and meeting the evolving energy needs of the Asia-Pacific region.