Taiwan’s HD Renewable Energy (HDRE) and Australia’s ZEN Energy have formed a joint venture (JV) to invest in, develop and operate energy storage projects across several states in Australia.
HDRE invested A$43 million in the JV with ZEN Energy, allowing ZEN Energy to progress its solar and energy storage projects in Australia. The 2 companies had signed a cooperation deed to collaborate on solar and energy storage developments, with the intention of expanding into green materials such as green hydrogen and green iron in the future.
The joint venture – named ZEBRE – aims to accelerate utility-scale solar and storage projects in Australia. ZEBRE’s development goals will bring a total of 1.4 GW of clean energy to Australia. This includes 1 GW of energy storage and 400 MW of solar power through 6 projects across 4 states. The project pipeline will continue to grow.
Projects across multiple states
HDRE is a listed Taiwanese renewable energy developer and operator. Its core capability includes:
- solar power generation
- energy storage
- electricity retailing
- power trading
- EV charging
- project implementation, operation and maintenance.
To start, HDRE and ZEN Energy are progressing the Solar River project in South Australia, which comprises a 200 MW solar farm and a 256 MW / 760 MWh battery. It received funding from the Australian Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) and was designed in response to community feedback, including consultation with First Nations communities on cultural heritage management.
In July 2025, the project received approval to be connected to the electricity grid in South Australia, a crucial milestone indicating it is ready for connection to the National Electricity Market (NEM). It will connect to the ElectraNet network via the newly constructed Bundey substation.
Once operational, the 111 MW / 330 MWh Templers BESS will be South Australia’s second-largest battery system.
Another notable ZEBRE project is the Templers BESS, scheduled to connect to the NEM in the second half of 2025. Once operational, the 111 MW / 330 MWh BESS will be South Australia’s second-largest battery system. It also has secured a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement, ensuring stable, long-term revenue.
The third project is the Hookey Creek Solar Farm in Queensland. The project integrates 100 MW of solar with a 200 MW battery, offering up to 8 hours of storage capacity. Its innovative, environmentally conscious design gained federal environmental approval in just 17 days and earned commendation from both federal and state government authorities.
HDRE has established a team in Australia, and will continue to explore further investment opportunities, with several battery storage projects already in its pipeline.
How Austrade helped
Austrade started working with HDRE in 2022, and supported the company’s first visit to explore opportunities in Australia in late 2023. Since then, Austrade has continued to support HDRE by:
- providing market insights, data and reports to support HDRE’s market assessment, helping identify gaps and opportunities
- advising on market entry options and identifying potential partners
- inviting HDRE to clean energy events in Australia and organising introductions to local key players, peak bodies and potential partners during HDRE’s market visits to Australia
- sharing policy updates, clarifying regulations and inviting HDRE to briefings by government bodies, helping the company optimise its investment strategy
- briefing HDRE on Australia’s investment application process and sharing referrals to accounting and legal service providers
- supporting HDRE in briefings with potential co-investors to boost confidence about investing in Australia.
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