The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is an Australian Government-owned specialist climate investor focused on clean energy and economy-wide decarbonisation to help achieve Australia's national goal of net zero emissions by 2050. As of 2025, the CEFC is responsible for investing more than $33 billion on behalf of the Australian Government."Mission and values –". CEFC. Retrieved 20 October 2025. Key focus areas include the energy grid, renewable energy, natural capital and sustainable housing. The CEFC committed a record $9.1 billion in new investments in the 12 months to 30 June 2026. Additional private sector and third-party capital took the total value of these investments to $19.6 billion. Lifetime CEFC commitments reached $27.1 billion, for a total transaction value of $104.6 billion. “From ambition to execution”.CEFC. Retrieved 31 August 2026

Governance and legislative requirements The CEFC is responsible for investing more than $33 billion on behalf of the Australian Government."Mission and values –". CEFC. Retrieved 20 October 2025. It is mandated by law to anticipate and respond to the environment and market conditions in which it operates, including increasing its investment activities to fill market gaps where the private sector is absent."How we operate - CEFC". CEFC. Retrieved 29 September 2023. It is obliged to operate in a way that delivers a positive return for taxpayers across its portfolio, and publishes quarterly reports on its website about its investment commitments."Compliance - CEFC". CEFC. Retrieved 29 September 2023. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation Act 2012"Clean Energy Finance Corporation Bill 2012". Parliament of Australia. Commonwealth of Australia. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2013. established the CEFC, set out its purpose and functions, and established arrangements for the Board, CEO and staff. The functions of the Board, as prescribed under s14 of the CEFC Act, are to decide strategies and policies to be followed by the CEFC; ensure the proper, efficient and effective performance of the CEFC’s functions; and perform any other functions conferred on the Board by the CEFC Act. https://www.transparency.gov.au/publications/climate-change-energy-the-environment-and-water/clean-energy-finance-corporation/clean-energy-finance-corporation-annual-report-2023-24/governance/board The CEFC is a corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act)."Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013". www.legislation.gov.au. Investment Mandate The Australian Government is required to issue the CEFC Board with a Clean Energy Finance Corporation Investment Mandate Direction from time to time.9. "Search results". Federal Register of Legislation. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024. The 2023 Investment Mandate prioritised: The $19.65 billion Rewiring the Nation Fund that invests in projects that rebuild, modernize and strengthen Australia’s electricity grids and energy systems.“Where we invest RTN Fund – CEFC”. CEFC, Retrieved 31 July 2025.“CEFC Annual Report 2024-25”. Australian Government Transparency Portal, Retrieved 20 October 2025 The $11.5 billion General Portfolio that targets economy-wide investments including renewable energy generation and storage, property, infrastructure, natural capital, electric vehicles, small-scale asset finance and green and sustainability-linked loans. The $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund that works with co-financiers to support energy upgrades in residential buildings.“Household Energy Upgrades Fund.” Australian Government Transparency Portal, CEFC 2023-24 Annual Report, Retrieved 31 July 2025. The $500 million Powering Australia Technology Fund that supports Australian climate tech businesses through direct investment and investment in specialised funds.“Powering Australia Technology Fund”. Australian Government Transparency Portal, CEFC 2023-24 Annual Report, Retrieved 31 July 2025. The $300 million Advancing Hydrogen Fund that supports the growth of a clean, innovative, safe and competitive Australian hydrogen industry.“Advancing Hydrogen Fund” Australian Government Transparency Portal, CEFC 2023-24 Annual Report, Retrieved 31 July 2025. The $200 million Clean Energy Innovation Fund that supports emerging climate technology and is managed on behalf of the CEFC by Virescent Ventures.“Where we invest Clean Energy Innovation Fund.” CEFC, Retrieved 30 July 2025.

The CEFC publishes quarterly reports on its website regarding investment commitments."Statutory reports - Clean Energy Finance Corporation". CEFC.

History The CEFC Act was amended in mid-2022 to extend the purpose of the CEFC to the achievement of Australia’s net zero ambitions. Since then, the Australian Government has increased the total capital allocation to the CEFC to more than $33 billion.Bowen, Chris (26 July 2022)."Legislating to end climate and energy chaos, Media release". The Hon Chris Bowen MP. Australian Government. Retrieved 29 September 2023.CEFC welcomes additional $2 billion capital allocation from Australian Government. CEFC. Retrieved 31July 2025."Mission and values –". CEFC. Retrieved 20 October 2025. An independent statutory review of the CEFC Act, tabled in Parliament on 14 December 2018,"Statutory Review of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation" (PDF). CEFC. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2023. found the CEFC had facilitated projects that would not have otherwise proceeded, and had attracted substantial private co-investment to projects. The CEFC submission to the Statutory Review is also publicly available."CEFC welcomes publication of the independent statutory review of its operations - Clean Energy Finance Corporation". www.cefc.com.au. During the organisation’s early years the Coalition-led Government attempted and failed to abolish the CEFC.Abbott, Tony."Coalition Leader's Letter to CEFC August 2013" (PDF). Prime Minister Tony Abbott sought to ban the CEFC from investing in wind powerAdam Gartrell (11 July 2015). "Tony Abbott has escalated his war on wind power". Sydney Morning Herald. and rooftop solar."Government pulls the plug on household solar". Sydney Morning Herald. 13 July 2015 Under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that action was overturned."New clean energy investment mandate a shift from policy proposal by Abbott". The Guardian. 24 December 2015.

See also

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Energy policy of Australia National electricity market Project finance Power purchase agreement Renewable energy in Australia

References

External links