HMC Capital (ASX: HMC) and KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the establishment of a new strategic partnership under which KKR-managed funds will invest up to $603 million into HMC’s Energy Transition Platform (the “Platform”). The investment will introduce KKR as a strategic partner alongside HMC in the Platform’s existing 652MW operational assets and its 5.7GW BESS and wind development pipeline. KKR’s investment will support the Platform’s continued expansion, including the development of new battery storage and wind projects critical to grid reliability and Australia’s energy transition.
The investment needed to fund Australia’s energy transition is considerable, and the Platform is well-placed to bring to market its significant clean energy generation capacity to support the growing energy demand from consumer, industrial and emerging AI users over the coming decades. This transaction establishes the foundation for HMC and KKR to significantly scale the existing Platform and identify growth opportunities alongside the Platform’s experienced management team.
HMC Capital Managing Director and CEO, David Di Pilla, said “We are delighted to be working with an experienced global investor of KKR’s calibre. KKR’s investment validates the quality of the Platform we have built and sets the foundation for HMC to play a major role in Australia’s transition to net zero carbon by 2050. KKR’s capital will enable the Platform to materially grow operating capacity, cash flow and progress the strategically valuable development pipeline.”
KKR Partner and Head of KKR’s Climate Transition strategy for Asia, Neil Arora, said “As renewable generation in Australia continues to expand, the country’s energy system is at a pivotal moment. Delivering Australia’s ambition will require investment in flexible infrastructure such as battery storage to keep the grid secure and reliable. We are pleased to support HMC Capital’s leading operating platform, and by leveraging KKR’s global network, operational expertise, and deep experience across our climate, energy and infrastructure teams, we are well positioned to scale this platform and contribute meaningfully to Australia’s decarbonization objectives.”
HMC Capital Chair of Energy Transition Platform, the Hon. Julia Gillard AC, said “The introduction of KKR as a strategic partner marks a pivotal step in the Platform’s ambition to build a world class renewables business which can play a major role in helping Australia achieve its clean energy commitments. In KKR, we are delighted to have a collaborator with deep global relationships and expertise to help the Platform deliver on its goal to be a national champion of Australia’s transition to a net zero economy by 2050.”
KKR is funding this investment from its Global Climate Transition strategy. The firm has committed more than US$44 billion to climate and environmental sustainability investments since 2010 and is a leading investor in the energy transition. This marks KKR’s second Climate investment in Australia, following CleanPeak, an Australian distributed energy platform.
Other KKR Climate investments include Zenobē, a UK-based transport electrification and battery storage solutions specialist; EGC, an energy service provider in Germany; Dawsongroup, an independent asset leasing business which provides a diverse range of business-critical solutions; Avantus, a solar and solar-plus-storage developer in the US; and IGNIS P2X, an industrial decarbonisation platform in Spain.
The transaction is expected to close in mid-2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
