🥂 CEIG hosted a wonderful member and guest end of year drinks in Sydney last week. Celebrating the year with our board directors, members, and partners was terrific. CEIG's influence on Australia's clean energy transition would not be possible without your involvement and support. From the CEIG team and board, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. Bring on 2025!
Clean Energy Investor Group
Renewable Energy Semiconductor Manufacturing
Melbourne, Victoria 5,044 followers
Unlocking Investment for Australia's Clean Energy Future
About us
The Clean Energy Investor Group is an advocacy, education and stakeholder engagement platform which represents institutional investors in utility-scale renewable energy projects. The Group represents institutional investors who have collectively funded Australian renewable energy projects worth over AUD$10billion. Collectively, the Group currently expects to deliver over 5GW of Australian renewable energy projects in the near future. Our members include superannuation/ pension funds, infrastructure fund managers, project developers, and Independent Power Producers.
- Website
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https://www.ceig.org.au/
External link for Clean Energy Investor Group
- Industry
- Renewable Energy Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Melbourne, Victoria
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2019
Locations
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Primary
Melbourne, Victoria 3000, AU
Employees at Clean Energy Investor Group
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Marilyne Crestias
Trusted energy policy advisor 🟠 Board Director 🔹 Economics 🔹 Government 🔹 Renewable Energy 🔹 Environment 🔹 MAICD
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Daniel Zelcer
Founder & Director at Acacia Sustainability | Accelerating the Energy Transition | Renewable Energy & Sustainability Expert
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Ritu Thomas
Head of Business Development (Australia) - TotalEnergies Renewables
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Kirsten Alice Smith
CGP, FCG, AICD Chartered Governance Professional | Board Specialist | AGIA | Director
Updates
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CEIG applauds South Australia's renewable energy leadership but urges a clean energy-first approach for the proposed Firm Energy Reliability Mechanism (FERM): 🔋 Prioritising Clean Firming: Prioritise battery energy storage solutions over new gas capacity to maintain SA’s renewable energy leadership. 🌍 Emissions Accountability: Embed emissions intensity in tender evaluations to align with SA’s climate goals. ❌ Avoiding Locking in Fossil Fuels: Exclude new gas plants from long-term contracts and focus on adaptable, low-emission solutions. Supporting the development of new fossil fuel resources sends mixed signals to the market, undermining investor confidence in the State’s commitment to emission reductions. We need policies that accelerate grid decarbonisation, support investor confidence, and avoid prolonging reliance on fossil fuels. CEIG’s recommendations aim to ensure SA leads the way toward a net-zero energy future. Read our full submission: https://lnkd.in/g3npiuqq ******* 🍃Clean Energy Investor Group is proud to be the voice of Australian capital, advocating for policy that supports clean energy investment, and our nation's commitment to its climate targets 🍃
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🥂 2024 has been an incredible year for CEIG! 🥂 A significant event for 2024 was CEIG's leadership transition. We warmly welcomed Richie Merzian as our new CEO and bid a fond farewell to Simon Corbell, who guided CEIG to become the leading industry body for clean energy investors. In addition to this significant change in leadership, we recently welcomed three new directors, Allison Hawke, Rupert Doney, and Daniel Beaver, and John Martin, Windlab CEO, who took over as our board chair. We are happy to announce that the CEIG Conference 'Opening the Front Door to Investment', our premier event will return in 2025. Mark your calendars for September 18 in Melbourne. https://lnkd.in/gY6MmSbc We are grateful to our sponsors, partners, board members, and members. The influence that CEIG has on Australia's clean energy transition would not be possible without your involvement and support. Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday.
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The Clean Energy Investor Group welcome the Government’s commitment to provide $68.5 million in 2025–26 to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for timely environmental approvals. This funding will maintain essential resources for environmental assessment, approval, and compliance functions, supporting timely project approvals in critical areas like renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and critical minerals. This announcement aligns with our recommendation to increasing resourcing within DCCEEW to handle assessments efficiently highlighted in a report CEIG released last week with Herbert Smith Freehills, Delivering Major Renewable Energy Projects: Review of the EPBC ACT for renewable energy projects in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Read the full report to see our other recommendations that can be adopted to create the clarity and efficiency needed to unlock critical renewable energy investments. https://lnkd.in/gwkh9BXZ Richie Merzian Marilyne Crestias Daniel Zelcer Sydney Neijmeijer Kelly Berghella
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The Clean Energy Investor Group welcomes the appointment of Ausgrid as the preferred network operator for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) marking a significant step forward in delivering reliable, renewable energy in NSW. The innovative approach to leverage the existing distribution network announced today will upgrade existing infrastructure whilst minimise community and environmental impact and boost the timely connection of renewable energy. With the potential to deliver an additional 1 GW of network transfer capacity, this project will power around one million homes and create substantial economic benefits, including local jobs and business opportunities. CEIG calls on the NSW Government to consider more solutions like these that minimise disruptions to local communities and the environment, such as the Grid Black Spot program that is designed to unlock the full potential of renewable energy through small, targeted network augmentation projects. We commend the commitment to engaging First Nations people, women, and young people in this transformative project. The Hunter-Central Coast REZ is set to play a crucial role in ensuring NSW's electricity reliability and supporting emerging green technologies. Richie Merzian Marilyne Crestias Daniel Zelcer Sydney Neijmeijer Kelly Berghella Penny Sharpe Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) Stride Renewables
“Faster and cheaper:” NSW strikes deal for first renewables zone that focuses on existing network
https://reneweconomy.com.au
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⭐ New Report from CEIG & Herbert Smith Freehills ⭐ Australia’s energy transition faces critical hurdles, with major delays in environmental assessments under the EPBC Act hindering renewable energy investment. Today, the Clean Energy Investor Group and Herbert Smith Freehills released Delivering Major Renewable Energy Projects, a report that highlights key roadblocks and proposes immediate fixes and long-term reforms. 🛑 Key Findings: ➡️ A doubling of project referrals under the EPBC Act from 2020 to 2023. ➡️ Administrative decision times nearly doubling from 62 days in 2021 to 136 days in 2023. ➡️ Growing backlogs, with few decisions finalised for projects referred in 2022 and none for those in 2023 or 2024. ➡️ Prolonged timelines, with final decisions taking up to 2.2 years on average for recent projects. ✅ Key Recommendations: Quick Wins: ➡️ Align State and Federal assessments to eliminate duplication. ➡️ Limit and clarify additional information requests. ➡️ Increase resourcing for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. ➡️ Standardise environmental conditions and reform offset policies. ➡️ Enable single referrals for Renewable Energy Zones. Long-Term Reforms: ➡️ Implement strategic environmental offsets. ➡️ Recognise renewable energy projects' net-positive climate contribution. These changes, alongside the Australian Government’s Nature Positive Plan, can create the clarity and efficiency needed to unlock critical renewable energy investment. 📢 Read the full report to see how we can tackle these barriers head-on and drive Australia's clean energy transition. https://lnkd.in/gwkh9BXZ ******* 🍃Clean Energy Investor Group is proud to be the voice of Australian capital, advocating for policy that supports clean energy investment, and our nation's commitment to its climate targets 🍃 #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #EPBC #Investment #Sustainability #CEIG
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Inconsistent and inefficient environmental assessments under the EPBC Act are hindering investment in large-scale renewable energy projects. Today, Clean Energy Investor Group released a report with Herbert Smith Freehills revealing trends regarding the EPBC Act’s complex and protracted processes that hinder renewable energy investment. It is a major concern for investors that the majority of renewable projects referred to the EPBC 3 years ago in 2021 still do not have a final decision at the end of 2024. This hampers investment, it risks further increases in the cost of capital, and is detrimental to Australia’s net zero transition. The report identifies ‘ten quick wins’ to accelerate EPBC Act assessments and support more predictable processes and timeframes for renewable projects. Read CEIG CEO, Richie Merzian in The Australian today: https://lnkd.in/gbbZWFyd Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gwkh9BXZ ************ 🍃Clean Energy Investor Group is proud to be the voice of Australian capital, advocating for policy that supports clean energy investment, and our nation's commitment to its climate targets 🍃
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✅ To Queensland's Renewables Regulatory Framework ✅ CEIG is especially pleased with the Draft Framework’s balanced approach, aiming to protect the environment while improving coordination for renewable project assessments. By reducing duplication and aligning State and Federal requirements, this efficiency-driven framework will help position Queensland as a leader in renewable energy. Key highlights from our submission (https://lnkd.in/gATPQnfa): 🤝 Improved coordination & certainty for investors The Draft Framework is a positive step in efficient planning, assessment, and oversight, making it easier for investors to navigate the clean energy landscape in Queensland 🌿 Commitment to improved environmental outcomes We support Queensland's efforts to align energy projects with environmental objectives, calling for efficient processes that respect biodiversity while accelerating project assessments 🌏 Aligned State & Federal processes Improved alignment with Commonwealth environmental standards will ease delays and lower costs for developers, making Queensland an even more attractive renewable energy investment destination 🏘️ Community engagement & benefits We’re encouraged by Queensland’s plans for a mandatory Code of Conduct for renewable developers and a framework for meaningful community benefits. Genuine engagement and fair practices are essential for building trust with host communities 📈 Investor confidence in transmission & infrastructure To realise Queensland’s clean energy ambitions, clear timelines for coal closures, a reliable transmission network, and risk sharing in infrastructure costs are all essential. CEIG is committed to collaborating with the Queensland Government and Minister David Janetzki to ensure its Renewables Framework powers Queensland’s leadership in Australia’s clean energy transformation! Read our full submission: https://lnkd.in/gATPQnfa ************* 🍃Clean Energy Investor Group is proud to be the voice of Australian capital, advocating for policy that supports clean energy investment, and our nation's commitment to its climate targets 🍃
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At Friday’s Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council meeting, Ministers acknowledged the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) recommendations on Transmission Access Reform. Specifically, the AEMC recommended not to proceed with the hybrid model, priority access, or congestion relief market elements, highlighting the role of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) and state-based transmission access frameworks in delivering locational investment signals. CEIG remains committed to advocating on behalf of our members to address congestion and provide clear, long-term signals to generators on where to invest in new capacity. This is a crucial step towards ensuring a more efficient and reliable energy system and lowering costs for consumers. Richie Merzian Marilyne Crestias Daniel Zelcer Sydney Neijmeijer Kelly Berghella
Meetings and communiques
energy.gov.au
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The GenCost 2024-25 draft report released today by the CSIRO and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) continues to confirm that renewable generation, including the cost of firming with storage and transmission infrastructure, is the least cost form of new generation. CEIG welcomes this robust analysis which informs policy makers to deliver affordable and clean energy for consumers, given Australia’s fleet of aging coal fired power stations will retire over the coming years. Richie Merzian Marilyne Crestias Daniel Zelcer Sydney Neijmeijer Kelly Berghella
GenCost: cost of building Australia’s future electricity needs
csiro.au