CEFC Achieves Record Year in Net Zero Push

The CEFC has reported a year of groundbreaking investment activity, marshalling its financial firepower to commit and deploy record amounts of capital, catalyse a groundbreaking $25.7 billion commitment in clean energy investment value and execute its single largest transaction since inception.

During a landmark 12 months to 30 June 2025, CEFC capital achieved unprecedented scale, impact and leverage - from multi-billion dollar nation building transmission projects that are seismic in their scope and longevity, to finance that is helping reduce energy costs for households and businesses today.

At a time when Australia needs to redouble its efforts on large scale renewable energy generation, storage and transmission to accelerate the clean energy transition, the CEFC committed a record $4.7 billion, including a record $3.5 billion to renewable energy projects and grid infrastructure - 2.5 times more than the previous 12 months.

While the economy-shaping impact of our larger-scale transactions is clear, the full story of CEFC investment activity this year demonstrates that we are delivering for taxpayers, with direct and immediate benefit in homes and small businesses, for vehicle owners and on farms.

Ian Learmonth

CEFC CEO

In the same period, the CEFC deployed a record $2.9 billion in new money out the door and working hard across the economy to help Australia meet its emissions and renewable energy goals.

Since inception, the CEFC has made lifetime commitments of $18.3 billion and helped drive $85.3 billion commitment to clean energy projects.

CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth said: "From our largest ever transactions, in transmission, to accelerating the net zero ambitions of our co-investors, across natural capital, property, transport and resources, CEFC investments are helping Australia position itself positively in the global competition for capital.

"While the economy-shaping impact of our larger-scale transactions is clear, the full story of CEFC investment activity this year demonstrates that we are delivering for taxpayers, with direct and immediate benefit in homes and small businesses, for vehicle owners and on farms.

"By providing access to discounted CEFC finance, we are paving the way for an increasing number of Australians to cut their individual carbon footprint in their everyday activities - and tapping into growing consumer sentiment in favour of measures to address climate change."

The 2024-25 financial year saw increased activity and impact from the Rewiring the Nation (RTN) Fund, the Household Energy Upgrades Fund™ (HEUF), and the Powering Australia Technology Fund (PATF).

The CEFC committed $2.8 billion through the RTN, including up to $2.075 billion to enable construction of a clean energy 'superhighway via HumeLink and the NSW element of VNI-West - together its single largest transaction.

CEFC commitments through the PATF catalysed more than $404 million to climate tech innovators. It also unlocked $610 million in green loan products through the HEUF to help homeowners install clean energy technologies at a lower cost to reduce their energy use.

This period of momentum building investment activity comes as Australia's 2030 renewable energy and emissions targets loom ever nearer, and the impacts of climate change continue to be felt around the globe.

In 2024 Australia ramped up investment in renewable energy, battery storage and electrified transport, however BloombergNEF analysis reveals the scale of the challenge ahead: Australia needs to invest some US$59 billion every year between now and 2030, or 2.6 times current levels, to remain on target for net zero by 2050.¹

Mr Learmonth added: "Even with the considerable investment run rate of the past decade, Australia requires ongoing investment in renewables and long-duration storage, clean energy affordability for consumers and measures to cut emissions in 'hard-to-abate' sectors, including land, the built environment and transport.

"This poses a once-in-a-generation challenge as well as an economic opportunity. Investment activity at this scale promises substantial economic and local employment benefits across Australia, strengthening our economy for a net zero future while making critical progress towards decarbonisation.

"With CEFC investment leading the way, the country can continue to benefit from Australia's abundant clean energy resources."

Transaction highlights

1. The CEFC committed $2.8 billion through the RTN Fund across three transactions, including up to $2.075 billion for HumeLink and the NSW element of VNI-West, and up to $750 million for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone to enable as much as 7.7 GW of additional renewable energy power.
2. Groundbreaking natural capital transactions included a $300 million co-finance program with NAB to reduce interest rates for manufacturing, transport and farm-related clean energy projects, and up to $200 million with Rabobank to reduce the cost for farmers to undertake Environmental Planting projects under the Australian Carbon Credit Units Scheme.
3. Market leading property transactions included $100 million to an innovative affordable build-to-rent strategy managed by AXA IM Alts, to deliver as many as 3,000 energy efficient, fully electric apartments, with at least 50 per cent available in key worker employment hubs in major metropolitan cities.
4. Through our work with established co-financiers, we saw more than $840 million in CEFC and third-party capital used to finance 23,700² smaller-scale low emissions asset finance projects for commercial, agricultural and residential purposes in 2024-25. Since inception, CEFC asset finance programs have financed ~ 95,000 clean energy projects.
5. In its second year of operation, the HEUF committed $305 million across four transactions to unlock $610 million in green loan products for homeowners. This included up to $160 million to the Westpac Sustainable Upgrades Home Loan, to give eligible customers access to competitive variable rate loans.
6. More than $93 million in commitments through the PATF to climate tech businesses and funds drove $404.4 million of new investment, representing $3.33 for each $1.00 from the CEFC. This included a $25 million investment in green retailer, Energy Locals, to bring solar panels, battery systems, heat pumps and electric vehicle chargers to Australians living in apartments and aged care centres, as well as commercial sites.

CEFC Investment Update: 2024-25

1 BloombergNEF Energy Transition Investment Trends 2025

2 Figures to 31 March 2025