Gamuda Berhad has expanded its Australian renewable energy footprint through its subsidiary, Gamuda Renewable Pty Ltd, with the acquisition of an interest in the Hazelwood North Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Victoria.
The stake was acquired from Manthos Investments Pty Ltd and marks Gamuda Renewables’ first investment in Victoria, increasing its Australian portfolio to three renewable energy assets across Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).
Located in the Latrobe Valley, the Hazelwood North project is an approved hybrid renewable energy development comprising up to 450 megawatts (MW) of solar generation capacity paired with a four-hour, 1,800 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system.
Spanning approximately 1,100 hectares, the project is expected to generate sufficient electricity to power around 150,000 homes once operational.
Development approval has already been secured through Victoria’s Development Facilitation Program, with construction targeted to commence in 2028 and commercial operations expected by 2030, subject to a final investment decision.
The project is also expected to generate approximately 450 construction jobs, providing an economic boost to the Latrobe Valley region as it continues its transition from traditional energy industries to renewable energy development.
The acquisition represents another milestone in Gamuda’s rapid expansion into Australia’s renewable energy sector since entering the market in September 2024.
The company said it had initially targeted developing between one and two gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2029 but achieved that goal in less than two years. It has since increased its ambition to build a pipeline of 5GW of renewable energy assets under development, construction and operation by 2031.
Gamuda’s Australian renewable energy growth was recently reinforced through the Australian Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), under which its Weasel Solar Farm and Cellars Hill Wind Farm projects were selected among 19 successful projects nationwide.
The two projects were the only successful developments approved in Tasmania under the programme, which provides a 15-year revenue support mechanism designed to reduce investment risks and accelerate renewable energy deployment.
Data Centre Expansion Under Consideration
A key feature of the Hazelwood North development is the potential addition of a co-located data centre, which Gamuda and Manthos are currently evaluating.
The proposed expansion would integrate digital infrastructure directly with renewable energy generation and storage facilities, allowing a data centre to be powered by onsite solar generation and battery storage.
According to Gamuda, such a model could reduce dependence on the broader electricity network while providing data centre operators with dedicated renewable power supported by large-scale energy storage.
Chief Strategy and Development Officer of Gamuda Australia, Jarred Hardman, said the Hazelwood North project reflects the growing convergence between renewable energy infrastructure and digital infrastructure requirements.
He noted that the potential co-location of a data centre with a utility-scale solar and battery project presents a compelling opportunity as demand for clean and reliable power continues to rise.
The project also aligns with Victoria’s efforts to attract new data centre investments while supporting the state’s broader renewable energy and decarbonisation objectives.
For Gamuda, the acquisition strengthens its position in one of Australia’s largest energy markets while expanding its exposure to long-term opportunities in renewable energy generation, energy storage and data centre infrastructure.
