CEFC commits $100m to Australia’s mid-scale renewable projects

Funding targets mid-scale solar and battery assets

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed $100m to finance up to 16 mid-scale renewable energy projects in Australia through a new partnership with infrastructure debt manager Infradebt.

The investment will be deployed through the new Distribution Connected Accelerator Program (DCAP), which aims to help a pipeline of distribution-connected projects reach construction readiness by 2027.

The program will focus on projects of up to 5MW, whilst allowing capacity for larger developments.

CEFC said the initiative targets the “missing middle” of Australia’s clean energy transition — projects that sit between individual rooftop solar installations and utility-scale renewable developments.

The DCAP will provide concessional senior debt financing to address funding barriers faced by smaller projects. These distribution-connected assets can use existing network capacity to connect faster and avoid transmission bottlenecks that can delay larger-scale developments.

“Mid-scale renewables are a powerful lever in unlocking Australia’s renewable energy future and are often referred to as the ‘missing middle’ between individual rooftop solar and utility-scale renewables,” Monique Miller, CEFC chief investment officer for Renewables and Sustainable Finance, said.

Infradebt will establish the program through a competitive process to shortlist prospective project proponents.

The latest commitment builds on a separate $150m investment CEFC previously made in Infradebt to support mid-range renewable energy financing.