Clean energy and renewables

Enel Green Power: energising Australia’s sustainable future

Enel Green Power (EGP) harnesses energy from the sun, wind and water to power a sustainable future. The Italian company manages more than 1,200 power plants on five continents, helping drive the shift to a decarbonised society.

One of Enel Group’s primary focuses is decarbonising the Group by 2040. Australia presents one of the best opportunities to build its renewable capacity.

‘Enel Green Power takes a disciplined approach to sustainability,’ says Werther Esposito, Managing Director at EGP Australia.

‘We are committed to making the company – and the communities in which we operate – more prosperous, more inclusive, and more resilient.’

Australian business is central to EGP’s goals

EGP began operating in Australia in 2019. The company has three solar plants and 309 MW of installed capacity. Two plants are near Port Augusta in South Australia, and the third is in Cohuna in Victoria.

In April 2022 EGP also signed a renewable Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with BHP. The agreement is for 100% of the output of BHP’s Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage One, located inthe shires of Kojonup and Broomehill-Tambellup, in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia.

This includes energy and all Large-Scale Generation Certificates (LGCs), supplying approximately 315 GWh per year of renewable electricity for 12 years.

‘At global level, Enel Green Power’s mission is to reach a total renewable capacity, including battery capacity, of around 154 GW by 2030,’ says Esposito. ‘This would triple our 2020 portfolio, allowing us to bring forward our Net Zero commitment by 10 years from 2050 to 2040.’

In this regard, Australia’s sun-soaked plains, wind patterns and ample space make it ripe for renewables. Esposito also highlights a federal-level commitment to combating climate change. He believes this has strengthened the confidence of global renewables investors in the Australian energy market.

‘With innovation and sustainability at the heart of our strategy, we want to strengthen our clean energy portfolio by supporting Australia’s transition to meet its net zero targets by 2050,’ he says.

Change is in the air, skies and seas

Esposito says he is seeing a growing appetite for sustainable energy. In 2021, renewable energy contributed a third of the total power generation to the National Energy Market.

‘Australia is making great progress on its journey to decarbonisation,’ he notes. ‘We expect to see a ninefold increase in utility-scale renewable capacity – from 15 GW to 140 GW of solar and wind – by 2050.’

Jobs for regional Australia

‘As Australia’s energy sector transitions to renewables, it’s important we think about how we can create a positive transition for communities in regional Australia,’ says Esposito.

For instance, our EGP’s Bungala solar project is doing just that for the Port Augusta community, two years after its final coal-fired power station was decommissioned.

EGP launched a professional training scheme for the Indigenous community of Port Augusta. This helped more than 70 workers gain new skills and find work on the project.

‘This is part of our commitment to creating shared value,’ says Esposito. ‘It means delivering affordable and sustainable energy, while also looking after the needs of the communities in which we operate.’

Delivering clean energy direct to consumers

Alongside sister company Enel X, EGP plans to become an integrated green retailer offering affordable, reliable renewable power to Australian customers. EGP will initially target commercial and industrial customers. It may include residential customers as its pipeline grows, since EGP sees the mass market as a possible natural extension for the future.

‘Enel Australia will offer up to 100% renewable energy contracts,’ says Esposito. ‘This will help customers meet sustainability objectives while reducing their costs.’

The retail offering is backed by EGP’s renewable generation and battery storage and bundled with Enel X’s technologies and services.

‘Our aim is that the market recognises us as a greener alternative to the traditional energy retailers within Australia,’ says Esposito. We look forward to delivering on our promise to provide the energy solutions required to shift Australia into a new era of abundant, reliable, and low-cost energy.’

Valued partnerships help EGP deliver on its mission

EGP recently partnered with Agriculture Victoria to bring its agrivoltaic program to Australia.

The program integrates land-based farming activities with solar power plants. Together, the organisations are developing an Agrivoltaic Research Project at Cohuna Solar Farm.

‘New models for decarbonised development, such as co-land use, can increase land productivity at large-scale solar farms,’ says Esposito. ‘This project aligns with Enel Green Power’s aim to produce clean energy more efficiently.’

In addition to its research projects, in 2021 EGP partnered with Monash University to extend its award-winning Green Steps program. The program offers practical sustainability training and consultancy projects for emerging university leaders.

Assistance from Austrade

Esposito says Austrade has been instrumental in EGP’s expansion in Australia.

‘Austrade has helped unlock local market opportunities, assisting the EGP business to grow in Australia,’ he says. ‘We have used Austrade’s network to turn local market connections and insights into valuable investment opportunities.’

Looking forward to a sustainable future

EGP has ambitious growth plans for Australia. The company is looking for a financial partner to support the expansion of its renewables portfolio. In addition to wind, solar and storage technologies, EGP is considering green hydrogen for future projects.

‘Enel Green Power wants to help solve Australia’s energy trilemma of ensuring energy security, reliability, and affordability,’ says Esposito. ‘We look forward to delivering on that promise.’

Find out more about investing in Australia or contact Austrade for more information.

Sojitz directs investment into Australian healthcare, renewables, green hydrogen and recycling

Sojitz is driven by solutions that benefit both the company and society.

In this case study, TATS KATO, Head of Project Origination at Sojitz Australia, details the Japanese company’s new ambitions in healthcare, renewables, green hydrogen and recycling.

Providing solutions to social problems

Sojitz is motivated by a simple motto: new way, new value. 

The Japanese corporation comprises 400 subsidiaries and affiliates around the world. It engages in a range of businesses globally, including manufacturing, selling, importing and exporting products and materials.

Sojitz pursues growth by providing solutions to social problems. Solutions-based initiatives in investment and trade, manufacturing, service provision and project management have become areas of strength for the global company.

Strength in the circular economy & ESG investments

In Australia, Sojitz is pivoting its investment strategy from legacy sectors to the circular economy.

Sojitz sees the shift as an exciting growth opportunity that can be applied to future-focused businesses in a wide range of fields.

TATS KATO, Head of Project Origination at Sojitz Australia, outlines 4 areas of interest:

• Healthcare
• Renewables
• Green hydrogen
• Recycling

A passion for healthcare

Several factors make Australia a strong contender for healthcare investment, according to TATS. These include:

• robust economic and population growth
• a well-established healthcare system
• public–private partnership (PPP) regulations that are supportive of infrastructure development.

Sojitz is driven by these factors and a passion for healthcare. The company made a major investment in Victoria’s New Footscray Hospital (NFH) PPP Project in March 2021.

NFH will provide high-quality facilities to improve health outcomes. There will be capacity to treat an extra 15,000 people every year. It will also drastically reduce wait times across the emergency department, elective surgery and outpatient clinic services.

The hospital will be built using more than 90% local materials, services and equipment. The project will employ more than 2,000 people at peak construction.

Sojitz has also invested in Qualitas Medical Limited. This company expands primary care services to strengthen preventive medicine. This reduces expensive medical treatment costs in acute care.

The future is renewable

‘Global warming has emerged as an issue of major importance,’ says TATS. ‘This has accelerated the global trend towards carbon neutrality.

‘Under these circumstances, it is necessary to transition from the simple use and supply of energy to new ways of using and supplying green energy.’

Sojitz sees Australia as a high-growth market for renewables. Its vast land area and abundant sunshine are ideal for solar energy projects.

In June 2021, the company reached the financial close of the 204MW Edenvale Solar Park in Queensland. It is one of the largest solar projects by a Japanese company in Australia.

This project will create more than 400 jobs during its construction phase. Once operating, it will provide a stable supply of renewable energy, meaningfully contributing to Australia’s decarbonisation efforts.

Sojitz’s global target is to reduce its stakes in thermal coal projects more than half by 2025 and to zero by 2030. But TATS makes clear that during the transition period, coal will still play an important role.

‘Sojitz will keep our current coal business for stable supply to our end users,’ he says. ‘These will continue to contribute to regional communities through our operating mines in Queensland.’

A leading destination for green hydrogen projects

Australia offers a clear policy framework for green hydrogen initiatives, and relatively low hydrogen production costs compared with other developed nations.

TATS adds that federal and state-level grants and other forms of support for the hydrogen sector makes Australia an even more attractive investment option. In January 2022, the Australian Government announced the A$150 million Australian Clean Hydrogen Trade Program. The program supports Australian-based hydrogen supply chain projects that secure overseas public or private sector investment.

The first round of the Program will focus on the export of clean hydrogen to Japan under the Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation through Technology. Under the Partnership, announced in June 2021, the two countries will support initiatives that help drive the transition to net zero emissions.

Sojitz will work with Queensland’s CS Energy and Nippon Engineering Consultants on a pioneering green hydrogen project. The 3-year demonstration sees Sojitz transport Queensland-produced renewable hydrogen to the Republic of Palau.

Sojitz intends to roll out the initiative to other Pacific nations. It hopes to popularise hydrogen use in place of carbon-intensive diesel fuel use on islands.

Looking for recycling and waste recovery opportunities

Sojitz is actively looking for investment opportunities in the Australian recycling and energy recovery markets.

‘Recycling is a hot topic in Australia now,’ says TATS. ‘Our investments in this area will contribute to achieving several goals set by the Australian Government. These include enhancing the resource recovery rate and decreasing landfill.’

Sojitz Australia is also looking to contribute to circular economy growth areas.

‘Our new initiatives must add value to both Sojitz and society. We call it a “Value Creation Model”,’ says TATS. ‘Creating new “shared value” is in our company’s DNA.’

Find out more about investing in Australia or contact Austrade for more information.

Jacobs looks to the stars to expand its portfolio of projects and capabilities in Australia

Jacobs is a leading global technology-forward solutions provider. It focuses on solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing.

The company is focused on further growth in markets like space, decarbonisation, digital and transport infrastructure.

Australia is its third-largest market. Rich Hayers, vice president and general manager of Australia and New Zealand for Jacobs’ People & Places Solutions business, shares why Australia offers unlimited potential for Jacobs to expand its footprint:

• Record government and corporate investment in infrastructure
• Brisbane’s winning bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games
• Australia’s growing role in the global space industry
• Australia’s strong relationships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Growing global expertise in Australia

Founded in 1947 as an engineering company, Jacobs has evolved into a global solutions provider. The company provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. It has a talent force of approximately 55,000 worldwide and generates US$14 billion in revenue annually. Australia serves as its Asia-Pacific hub, employing almost 4,000 staff across 14 offices.

‘Australia is a big part of our global success story,’ says Hayers. ‘Australia is ahead of the curve in infrastructure investment, particularly in transport. We’re working on several key rail and highway projects across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

‘As a globally integrated business, we’re able to leverage global expertise in Australia to apply some of our most innovative solutions to projects locally,’ he adds. ‘We also share our learnings and experience with other countries just starting to make similar investments. For example, our Australia teams with mass rapid transit experience are supporting projects and bids in New Zealand.’

Renewable energy is generating interest and investment

Jacobs is one of the top-ranked global environmental firms. It achieved net-zero carbon emissions for its operations and business travel in 2020. It is on track to be carbon negative by 2030. In July Jacobs unveiled its enhanced global sustainable business approach, PlanBeyondSM 2.0. It is the company’s foundation for what sustainability means to its clients and operations.  

Jacobs’ Australian projects reflect this focus on sustainability. The company is working on the Marinus Link, an undersea connection that will bring renewable energy from Tasmania into the mainland grid.

‘The growth and the leadership in Tasmania has impressed us, particularly in renewable energy,’ Hayers says. ‘Our team recently provided a review of Tasmania’s Climate Change Act. The Tasmanian Government supported all recommendations of the review, either in full or in-principle.’

In Victoria, Jacobs and Yarra Valley Water, Melbourne’s largest retail water utility, partnered on a thought leadership paper. The paper explores the relationship between the outputs of water electrolysis – hydrogen and pure oxygen – to support Australia’s hydrogen industry growth.

‘Australia has embraced renewable energy and is now embarking on combining that with new energy solutions such as hydrogen,’ says Hayers. ‘Each state and territory is nominating clean energy targets aimed at supporting decarbonisation, energy security and resiliency. While Australia has the benefit of world-class renewable resources, Asia is the potential end beneficiary to new energy solutions to help secure future energy needs.

‘The Jacobs “Indo-Pacific” business is a leader in strategic, technical, commercial and social value solutions across the region. It is helping guide industry through the complex challenges of energy transition.’

Brisbane Olympics to boost city infrastructure

Hayers says it’s exciting that Brisbane is the Olympic and Paralympic Games host city for 2032.

‘It will boost Queensland’s economy and infrastructure rollout,’ he says. ‘Hopefully, a sustainable, high-speed rail between the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast might come to fruition as a result.’

Jacobs acted as Program Manager on the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hayers acknowledges every Olympic Games is unique. However, he believes Jacobs’ program and legacy work on previous projects are pertinent to Brisbane 2032. These projects include the:

• London Olympic and Paralympic Games
• Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• World Expo 2020 Dubai
• upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

Sky-high ambitions for Australia’s space industry

Mike Walkington is vice president and general manager for Jacobs’ Critical Missions Solutions (CMS) business in Australia. He sees enormous opportunity in Australia’s space sector.

Jacobs is the largest services provider to NASA. It helped NASA prepare Cape Canaveral for commercial ventures, including SpaceX and Blue Origin. It also assists scientists to determine the composition of rocks from the moon.

The Australian Government has invested A$150 million in Australian businesses involved in the NASA-led Artemis program.

‘In Australia, Jacobs is working with the Australian Space Agency. We are also supporting the development of commercial space ports in Australia,’ says Walkington.

Learning from First Nation Australians

Hayers says companies must do things differently to solve the world’s most critical challenges.

‘One big trend is biomimicry,’ he says. ‘Discovering how to replicate and harness practices and processes from nature.

‘First Nation Australians have been doing that for a long time as stewards of Country. There is much that we can learn from First Nations peoples, and we can grow those ideas and progress together.’

The Jacobs CMS business has a strategic partnership with the Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC). Adam Goodes, an Adnyamathanha man and former Australian of the Year, leads the iDiC.

In the last 12 months, Jacobs has provided over A$3.8 million of work to three iDiC businesses.

‘We’re aiming to emulate the Australian Government’s approach of providing work to Indigenous-owned businesses,’ Walkington says. ‘This approach has allowed iDiC to flow-on financial, educational, professional and social benefits to Indigenous subcontractors, their families and communities.

‘Jacobs has benefited immensely from our relationship with iDiC. It’s helped our understanding of the challenges and motivations for Indigenous-owned businesses.’

Cooperation is creating opportunities in the Indo-Pacific

Jacobs is looking to expand into the Indo-Pacific region.

‘We’ve witnessed a positive level of economic cooperation between Australia, Japan, India and the US,’ says Hayers.

‘Having Australia take a leadership position in the Indo-Pacific gives us certainty. It mitigates risk, particularly if we can link in with Australian Government or quadrilateral initiatives. There are collaborations on infrastructure development, renewables, cyber digitisation and healthcare.’

Austrade networks provide vital market intel

Austrade provided practical support to Jacobs as it scoped opportunities in the region and Australia.

‘We’ve been working with Austrade in the US and Australia,’ says Hayers. ‘They have a good understanding of US business practices and how to apply them to Australia. Austrade has a finger on the pulse on what’s happening in the market with good market intel. They’ve connected us with the right stakeholders and showed us what business support was available to us.

‘More recently, Austrade has connected us to several high-level networks. We see this as an exciting contributor to our growth aspirations in the Indo-Pacific and to bringing economic benefit to Australia.’

Find out more about investing in Australia or contact Austrade for more information.

From Spain

‘When my company offered me the possibility to come Down Under to work, I had no doubt to accept, since both professionally and personally the proposal was very attractive. Australia is a great place to be and I am proud to bring a small contribution to its renewable industry.’

Maria del Camino Cabanillas Sevilla is a civil engineer who has managed the construction of a range of renewable energy and power generation projects, including gas, wind, solar and hydroelectric facilities in over 10 countries. One of these was the Amayo Wind Farm in Nicaragua, the first wind energy project to be built in the country and the largest in Latin America at that time. Camino is proud to work on renewable energy projects that will benefit both business and local communities and help achieve Australia’s renewable energy targets. She is currently working on the construction of the Ryan Corner Wind Farm, a 220 MW project located in the west of Victoria.

From the United States

“The work I get to do is incredible and impactful, but outside of that, I love Australia for the lifestyle including all of the outdoor activities, beaches and the amazing wine regions. I find it’s a place that suits me well and I’m so thankful to be here. This is an amazing country!”

Achieving first gas at the Gorgon Liquefied National Gas project in Western Australia where she was the Construction Completion Manager, was a professional highlight for Lauren Bailey. The Gorgon Project exports LNG to major utility companies in Asia as well as supplying natural gas to Western Australia.

At Gorgon, Bailey’s role involved ensuring all equipment was certified, safe and ready to start-up. She was also involved in commissioning Gorgon’s first-of-its-kind carbon sequestration system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Now working for a major management consultancy in Perth, Bailey combines her engineering and project experience with her understanding of business to help companies become stronger and more effective – ultimately helping the Australian economy.

From the United States

“I decided to move to Australia because I fell in love with the culture, people, and landscape. Australia has always felt like "home" to me since I started traveling here in 2009. Because I am passionate about Australia, research, and education, it made sense for me to pursue a career here. My scientific accomplishments have been based in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, South Australia and I would love to be able to share that with the world.”

Dr Rachelle Kernen is currently the South Australian Representative for Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences Australasia (WOMEESA). As a Grant-Funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources her current research applies her expertise in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and salt-sediment interaction to subsurface carbon dioxide and hydrogen storage and critical mineral deposits. Additionally, she hosts energy-related podcasts for Energy Geoscience (eGeos) that is funded by the Midwest Regional Carbon Initiative (Battelle and United States Department of Energy).

Dr Kernen completed her PhD in Geological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso (2019), and her MSc in Geology at New Mexico State University (2011) and is currently enrolled at Penn State University for a professional master’s in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems. She’s held various roles as an exploration and production geoscientist in petroleum and mining companies between her degrees.