About ARPF Investment Co.
ARPF Investment Co. Group (ARPF Investment Co.) is a leader in the delivery of renewable energy and low emission technologies, with a focus on solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power coupled with large-scale battery storage assets in Australia.
From initiation to operation, ARPF Investment Co. aims to lead the way to become an important player in the renewable energy market. We invest in large-scale renewable energy assets operating near Australia’s major electricity grid network. Some of our renewable assets are already underway or planned soon.
The strategic placement of our projects supports regional development by providing opportunities for direct employment during the construction phase, and broader economic benefits through local service providers.
Delivering cleaner energy for Australia represents a key priority for ARPF Investment Co., which has set a target to integrate 2 GW of low emission, energy generation from solar PV and wind power coupled with large-scale storage technologies to the National Electricity Market (NEM) by the end of 2022; to reduce emissions, address climate change, and create new jobs for a cleaner energy-future.
The management team comprises some of Australia’s most experienced leaders in the renewable industry, with significant experience in energy markets and funds management, offering investors the opportunity to invest in high-quality renewable energy and storage assets.
Together, we can deliver renewable energy and large-scale energy storage technologies to enable Australia to be the next Superpower.
Our mission is to integrate 2 GW of renewable energy generation to the National Electricity Market (NEM) by the end of 2022, through solar PV power, wind energy and storage technologies.
Industry Insights
A Time for Change in the Energy Sector
All Australians are bearing the brunt of rising energy prices. Businesses are no exception.
The uncertainty in the electricity market is affecting the bottom line of businesses and consumers alike. Businesses, particularly those in energy intensive industries, are under pressure. Steep energy price rises are proving difficult to pass on to customers and are squeezing margins across a wide range of industries. All else being equal, rising energy costs make Australian industry less competitive compared to overseas firms. Hard decisions must be made to ensure Australia’s energy system will be secure and affordable into the future.
The cost of rising energy prices
Recent ABS data demonstrates the cumulative impact of energy price rises. Electricity input prices for manufacturers are at a new high and 79% higher than prices paid at the start of the decade. Gas prices have increased 52% over the same period (see figure 1). This has contributed to manufacturing input prices rising faster than output prices. There is no doubt, energy intensive manufacturers are the businesses hardest hit by rising energy prices and their high trade exposure leaves little ability to pass on cost increases to customers.
Figure 1: Manufacturing electricity and gas input prices indexes, cumulative change, 2010 to 2018. (producer price indexes rebased to March Quarter 2000 = 100. Source: ABS, Producer Price Index, Mar 2018).
Businesses expect prices to get worse
According to Ai Group’s 2018 National CEO Survey, energy prices are one of the biggest headwinds identified by otherwise optimistic businesses for 2018. Energy prices remain elevated compared to historical levels for Australian businesses, with many increasingly concerned about the unnecessary strain high energy prices are putting on profit margins. Energy costs have been a persistent issue over the much of the last decade, with enduring price hikes caused by surging network costs, a brief spike from the former carbon tax and now changes in wholesale markets are bringing fresh pressure to energy prices.
A transition is underway
As the Australian energy market remains the subject of intense scrutiny and debate, with daily news surrounding material increases in wholesale electricity prices and political uncertainty around renewable energy targets, Australia’s future renewable energy sector is rapidly developing as capital expenditure (CapEx) prices fall and key technology improves.
We are now seeing something completely different – businesses, particularly energy intensive industries and consumers are looking for ways to use alternative low emission options to address spiralling energy costs. This trend is reshaping how energy markets will function in the future. This ground-breaking trend is further evidence of the disruption to the domestic energy market and demonstrates the continued growth for low emission options of solar PV power and wind energy in Australia.
Low emission technologies a way of the future
ARPF Investment Co. is stepping up to the challenge to integrate low emission options of wind and solar PV power to the grid. The combination of high-quality solar and wind energy potentially raises the possibility of a new competitive advantage in electricity prices over the long term.
And finally, energy is a fundamental input to production and the living standards of households in Australia. Improvements to energy efficiency and productivity are essential. As energy users, costs can be moderated by the introduction of new technologies combined with improved practices to existing equipment and processes – to significantly reduce the energy required to do business or to maintain living standards in Australia.
Company Structure
ARPF Investment Co. Group (ARPF Investment Co.) is wholly Australian owned and operated, a subsidiary of ARPF Pty Ltd and associated with privately-owned development and management company, Progressive Renewable Developments Investments Pty Ltd.
Our operating model allows us to leverage our expertise across our business with seamless collaboration. We bring together an expert team to share best practice and solve problems together.
Meet our Team
ARPF Investment Co. has developed into a company with a deep knowledge of and commitment to renewable energy development.
Our leaders are dedicated to making positive contributions to the renewable energy sector in Australia. That commitment is backed by a wealth of knowledge and experience in energy infrastructure and corporate finance. We work with experienced contractors and supported by some of Australia’s trusted institutions.
CHRIS YOUNG
Executive Director
BEcon (Accounting & Economics)
Chris has significant experience advising on a range of matters relating to corporate insolvency and restructuring. Prior to joining ARPF, Chris worked as a consultant to PPB Advisory. He has also worked for Price Waterhouse Coopers and KPMG. During his 23-year career, Chris has worked extensively with the Agribusiness, Manufacturing and Engineering sectors to facilitate financial restructures, rapid cost reduction and provide strategic insolvency management.
Other directorships and offices
(current and recent)
- • Former Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia (CA ANZ) (since 1986).
- • Director of Progressive Renewable Developments
GRAHAM LIDDY
Executive Director
AdvDip (Finance & Mortgage Broking), AAMC
Graham has advised on a number of multi-million-dollar capital expenditure (CapEX) investments. He is the CEO and founder of Capital Access Group, one of Australia’s most respected commercial finance broking businesses, where his specialties include managing structured finance deals using power purchase agreements (PPAs) and facility leases. Graham has significant experience financing each stage in the delivery of large-scale solar projects.
Graham is widely recognised as a leading finance broker with a wealth of experience in the commercial finance industry delivering a myriad of equipment, motor vehicle, mortgage and business loans to some of Australia’s leading commercial enterprises, through to government and semi-government bodies.
Other directorships and offices
(current and recent)
- • Director of Capital Access Group
- • Director of Progressive Renewable Developments