Mike Cannon-Brookes redirects his investments to solar power in Australia

Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes is accelerating Australia's energy transition with massive investments in the SunCable project, destined to become the world's largest solar power plant.

Partagez:

Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of technology company Atlassian, is now focusing his efforts on the Australian energy sector.
Known for building one of the world’s most successful software companies, he is redirecting his capital towards renewable energies.
His interest in solar energy is reflected in the SunCable project, a colossal initiative to develop the world’s largest solar power plant, located in Australia’s Northern Territory.
The 21 billion euro project is designed to produce energy from 2030 onwards, with the ambition of exporting this energy to South-East Asia.

A strategic shift with AGL

Cannon-Brookes also acquired a significant stake in AGL, Australia’s largest electricity supplier.
This strategic investment is part of the company’s drive to transform the country’s energy landscape by closing two of the group’s major coal-fired power stations well ahead of schedule.
This decision marks an important step in reducing carbon emissions nationwide, while strengthening the competitiveness of renewable energies against traditional energy sources.

Economic and environmental outlook

Cannon-Brookes’ investment choices are motivated by a rigorous analysis of energy market trends.
It is betting on increased electrification of the Australian economy, considering that renewable energies offer significant competitive advantages in terms of cost and sustainability.
By redirecting its investments, it intends to position Australia not only as a leader in clean energy production, but also as a major exporter to regional markets.
These initiatives reflect a strategy aligned with the economic realities of the energy sector, where profitability and sustainability are becoming major growth drivers.
Far from being ideological, Cannon-Brookes’ commitment is based on a pragmatic assessment of the opportunities offered by renewable energies, while meeting the carbon emission reduction requirements imposed by national and international regulations.

TotalEnergies will develop a 1.8 MW photovoltaic installation for Daehwa Pharmaceutical, covering approximately 20% of the annual energy requirements of the production site located in Hoengseong-gun, South Korea, under a 20-year agreement.
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners announces full operational launch of Cleve Hill Solar Park, now becoming the largest active photovoltaic power plant in the United Kingdom with a total installed capacity reaching 373 MW.
European photovoltaic module manufacturer BISOL is integrating G12R solar cells into its product range, replacing the former M10 cells, to improve product performance and technological competitiveness starting from the second quarter of 2025.
Adani Green Energy Limited becomes the first Indian company to achieve 15,539.9 MW of operational renewable capacity, cementing its position among the global top 10 independent green power producers.
Italian group Pronur establishes itself in Saudi Arabia with support from AstroLabs, aiming to provide advanced technologies in the renewable energy sector and develop new industrial partnerships.
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. announces the launch of a $2mn public offering to finance working capital, product development and general expenses.
Ardian Clean Energy Evergreen Fund takes control of 117 photovoltaic plants totalling 116 MW in Italy, further consolidating its presence in the country’s renewable energy sector.
Zelestra has secured $282mn financing from Natixis CIB, BNP Paribas and BCI for its Aurora project, combining a 220 MWdc solar plant and 1 GWh storage capacity in the Tarapacá region, Chile.
Egypt has been building an industrial photovoltaic solar complex in Ain Sokhna since June 19, aiming to stimulate strategic local production with a total investment of $200 million funded by the Chinese group Sunrev.
Générale du Solaire has inaugurated in Leutenheim, Bas-Rhin, a floating photovoltaic plant of approximately 20 MWc installed on a former gravel pit, marking the region's first large-scale project supported by successful local participatory funding.
Namibia begins construction of its largest solar plant, Sores|Gaib, aiming to reduce dependence on energy imports by leveraging its solar potential, considered among the highest globally according to the World Bank.
Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered mandatory deployment of solar systems on public building rooftops to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports amid a fragile economic backdrop.
The Energy Progress Report 2025 shows an improvement in global electricity access to 92%, but highlights that 666 million people remain without electricity, particularly due to insufficient international funding for rural areas.
Estimated at $384.4mn in 2025, the global photovoltaic panel recycling market is expected to grow annually by 7.4%, reaching $548mn in 2030, driven by the rapidly increasing number of installations reaching end-of-life.
Estimated at $613.57bn in 2025, the global photovoltaic market is expected to reach $968.32bn by 2030, driven by declining costs and growing demand from residential and utility sectors, according to a MarketsandMarkets analysis published on June 26.
Sasol International Chemicals concludes a virtual contract with Akuo to supply half of the electrical needs for its Lake Charles industrial complex in the United States, via a solar plant scheduled for 2026.
Eurowind Energy initiates a €174.8mn investment to build a 220 MW solar park in Vișina, Romania, capable of supplying around 150,000 households annually.
CleanCapital expands its portfolio by acquiring solar and energy storage assets totaling 27 MW in California and Massachusetts from Pacifico Energy to meet growing demand in the United States.
BrightNight and Cordelio Power commission a major 300 megawatt solar project in Arizona, attracting significant investments from JPMorgan and Capital One, with estimated local economic benefits of $180mn.
Austria is launching an unprecedented 20% bonus on photovoltaic subsidies to promote equipment manufactured in Europe, with a total envelope of €20 million dedicated to solar installations and energy storage systems.