Australian alternative asset manager HMC Capital has marked the first investment for its energy transition platform by laying out up to A$50m (€31m) to buy a stake in battery energy storage systems (BESS) developer Stor-Energy.

HMC Capital Transition will make an initial investment plus additional funding over a three-year period to secure a majority interest in the business with Stor-Energy’s senior management team, who will continue to lead the business, retaining a minority interest in the venture.

The investment will enable Stor-Energy to progress its 1.4GW development portfolio which is expected to cost about A$2bn to develop.

Stor-Energy’s development portfolio comprises six utility-scale BESS opportunities which are located close to existing grid infrastructure in four mainland National Electricity Market states.

Co-founder, CEO and managing director of Stor-Energy, Gerard Dover, said the partnership would help fulfill Stor-Energy’s potential. 

HMC managing director and CEO, David Di Pilla, said: “Our investment in Stor-Energy represents an exciting step in the establishment of HMC Capital’s Energy Transition platform.�

HMC Capital transition strategy aims to assemble a 15GW development portfolio across the energy value chain, including wind, solar, battery, bio-fuels and emerging technologies. 

Stor-Energy

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HMC head of energy transition, Angela Karl, said: “HMC has already identified other complementary bolt-on opportunities which are currently under review.â€� 

HMC said the company remained on track to commence fundraising in the second half of this year for its inaugural energy transition platform which is seeking to raise up to $2bn.

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