HONGDE Energy Strengthens Australian Presence with Local Funding Injection into ZEBRE Platform

HONGDE Energy (6873-TW) announced today (3rd) that it will convert its shares in ZEN Energy into equity stakes in Superpower Fuels and ZEN Iron. Upon completion, the company will hold 30% of each entity. By introducing ZEF Holding, an Australian-based holding company, as a new investor, HONGDE aims to strengthen the future development of the ZEBRE platform, with both the company and new shareholders jointly advancing existing asset development and operational plans.

HONGDE Energy stated that ZEF Holding’s shareholders include funds managed by Future Group Investment Management (FGIM), as well as institutional investors such as Samuel Terry Asset Management and Income Asset Management. FGIM, part of the Future Group, is a representative ethical and sustainable investment institution in Australia, managing over AUD 13.9 billion in assets, with a long-term focus on sustainable investment and green energy industry development. The entry of ZEF Holding will enhance ZEBRE’s connection with the Australian local capital market, establishing a more stable and long-term funding foundation to support future asset development, mergers and acquisitions, and operational advancement.

The ZEBRE platform is built on physical assets with clear development progress, maintaining an independent governance structure and operational model. Its Solar River large-scale solar-plus-storage project in South Australia is currently in discussions with data center operators for long-term contracts, targeting green computing power and stable low-carbon electricity demand.

ZEBRE’s Templers energy storage project has ranked first in South Australia’s energy storage market for four consecutive weeks in terms of revenue per unit installed capacity since commercial operation began. The Dartmoor energy storage project has recently secured the first round of long-duration energy storage contracts under South Australia’s Firm Energy Reliability Mechanism (FERM).

As the ZEBRE platform continues to advance long-term contracts and capacity market positioning, it is expected to enhance revenue stability, asset value, and financing predictability. HONGDE Energy will also integrate ZEBRE’s renewable energy and energy storage assets with Xingxing Power’s capabilities in power trading and risk management to advance a target-scale 2GW data center power and carbon management solution, further expanding local partnerships and end-user demand in Australia.

Regarding HONGDE Energy’s previous ownership of ZEN Energy shares, the share transfer is currently underway and will be handled in accordance with accounting standards and relevant regulations. HONGDE has accumulated experience in the Australian power market, energy storage asset operations, and local development through its past collaboration with ZEN Energy, which has gradually been transformed into the group’s overseas asset management and power market service capabilities.

Following ZEN Energy’s exit from ZEBRE’s management, new shareholders have taken over participation in the ZEBRE platform, with no impact on the existing development plans and operational progress. These matters have no significant impact on HONGDE Energy’s overall operations, financial structure, or other major business initiatives.