A consortium comprising Brookfield Renewable Partners, together with its institutional partners and global institutional investors GIC and Temasek, and MidOcean Energy, has lodged its application for merger authorisation with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in relation to its proposed acquisition of Origin Energy.

If the ACCC provides authorisation and other conditions precedent are met, upon closing of the transaction, Brookfield, which is investing through the Brookfield Global Transition Fund, its institutional partners and global institutional investors will own Origin’s Energy Markets business, a power generator and energy retailer. MidOcean will separately own Origin’s Integrated Gas business including its stake in Australia Pacific LNG.

The consortium expects the ACCC will advise its decision after 90 days following a process of seeking industry and other stakeholder feedback on the Proposed Transaction.

The consortium’s application sets out its view as to why the authorisation application should be approved. Factors described in the application include:

• The existing regulation of the energy sector (electricity and gas) means that the possible concerns that may arise from vertical integration do not apply in respect of the Proposed Transaction.
• The lack of any ability or incentive for AusNet to foreclose Origin’s generation competitors is reinforced by their separate ownership (including separate Brookfield funds) and management.
• The Proposed Transaction will provide substantial public benefits as Brookfield will rapidly expand and accelerate development of Origin Energy Markets’ renewable generation build out, materially improving Australia’s ability to reach its net zero targets.

Brookfield Asia Pacific CEO Stewart Upson said: “The need to decarbonise the world’s energy systems in order to minimise the impact of climate change and limit the global temperature increase is both urgent and daunting. The amount of private sector investment required for the energy transition over a short timeframe is unprecedented.

“The Proposed Transaction to acquire Origin Energy will not be detrimental to competition in any market given the intensely regulated nature of the electricity generation sector, reinforced by the fact that AusNet and Origin will remain separate stand-alone companies with separate investor groups.

“Moreover, the transaction will provide substantial public benefits because we intend to invest between A$20 billion and A$30 billion in rapidly expanding and accelerating the renewables build out at Origin Energy Markets. This will deliver both environmental benefits by helping Australia meet its net zero targets, and consumer benefits by putting downward pressure on electricity prices and reducing the risk of market dislocation events over time. It will also provide a range of public benefits including assisting Australia to meet its international commitments to address climate change.”

EIG CEO Blair Thomas said: “Energy transition will require a ‘whole of society’ approach to be effective. Government has an important role to play in enabling private sector capital and solutions and we believe this transaction is an important step in the right direction.”

In its application, the consortium states the Proposed Transaction will not result in a substantial lessening of competition in any relevant market, and will contribute to Australia achieving its net zero plans and deliver other public benefits.

Brookfield will acquire Origin Energy Markets through its Brookfield Global Transition Fund I (BGTF I) together with its institutional partners and global institutional investors GIC and Temasek (the BGTF Consortium).

Origin faces significant challenges in its ability to raise substantial new equity and debt to fund an ambitious transition program because of its current listed company ownership structure. The BGTF Consortium will support the investment of between A$20 billion and A$30 billion in new renewable energy capacity within the Origin Energy Markets business over the next 10 years. This is the ‘green build-out’ plan.

The ‘green build-out’ plan involves the development of up to 14 GW of new renewable generation and storage assets within the Origin Energy Markets business by 2033. It is approximately 10 GW over and above Brookfield’s estimate of what Origin is likely to develop by 2033 absent the proposed transaction. To put this in context, the NEM currently has 27.5 GW of grid scale clean energy capacity.

Mr Upson said: “Our plan is ambitious yet realistic. We have capital immediately available for investment in the transition and relationships with private co-underwriters seeking a home for capital that will promote the transition. The BGTF Consortium, through Brookfield, also has global renewables procurement and technical expertise, and a track record in North America, Asia, Europe and other jurisdictions of delivering on equally ambitious plans.”