$70m investment to accelerate energy transition

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed $70 million to the QIC Global Infrastructure Fund II to drive the decarbonisation of two of Australia’s highest-emitting sectors — energy and transport.

The CEFC has said the investment will also accelerate the transition to net zero by driving down emissions across the entire value chain, targeting Scope 3 emissions.

Managed by QIC, a key focus of the investment will be infrastructure supporting the energy transition, including smart metering, decarbonisation of transport and renewable generation.

The CEFC commitment is made via contribution to the Fund and co-investment exposure to the Fund’s investment opportunities, and follows on from an earlier $72 million investment in the QIC Global Infrastructure Fund I.

The Fund will further build on QGIF I’s net zero commitments for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2040, by establishing greenhouse gas emission reduction targets at each portfolio company validated by the Science Based Target Initiative.

Binding sustainability standards will be embedded across the portfolio, lifting decarbonisation standards to target Scope 3 emissions, with portfolio companies working closely with suppliers and providers to drive down emissions across asset value chains.

CEFC Head of Infrastructure Julia Hinwood said, “This investment is about accelerating sectors that are critical to the energy transition and driving change where it matters most. The CEFC is supporting key infrastructure assets that enable decarbonisation and industries that are challenging to decarbonise. By targeting the infrastructure that underpins our energy and transport systems, we’re helping to accelerate the lowering of emissions across the broader Australian economy.

“Through its commitment to the Fund, the CEFC will contribute capital to transition-enabling assets, such as smart metering, decarbonisation of transport, and grid infrastructure — areas that represent emerging opportunities beyond the scope of traditional infrastructure portfolios.”

By supporting Scope 3 measures, the Fund is taking the next step towards decarbonisation across the entire supply and operations value chain, setting new benchmarks for emissions accountability and climate impact.

“We’re pleased to be working again with QIC to raise the bar for sustainable infrastructure — embedding decarbonisation across the Fund’s portfolio raises sustainability standards across core, and core plus infrastructure asset classes around Australia,” Hinwood said.

In addition to its participation in QGIF I, the CEFC has also invested $50 million into the QIC Everyday Retail Fund (QERF), to drive decarbonisation across a portfolio of shopping centres and accelerate energy efficiency across the retail sector.

Image credit: iStock.com/onurdongel. Image for illustrative purposes only.