Acquisition complete: 14D now owns 100% of Aurora Energy Precinct
1414 Degrees (ASX: 14D) completed the acquisition of Vast Solar Aurora Pty Ltd (subject to Deed of Company Arrangement) (“VSA”) on 20 October 2026, under the agreement announced to the ASX on 1 September 2026. The company now holds 100% of SiliconAurora Pty Ltd, owner of the 16 km² Aurora Energy Precinct near Port Augusta, South Australia.
14D acquired VSA from Vast Renewables Ltd (subject to Deed of Company Arrangement) (“Vast”) under a share sale agreement. VSA is now a wholly owned subsidiary of 1414 Degrees.
For investors, the key change is structural. The acquisition removes the previous joint venture ownership, which the company says simplifies engagement with prospective customers, infrastructure partners and financiers. The announcement does not disclose a purchase price.
The March 2026 placement raised $2.69 million at $0.0145 per share, with proceeds earmarked to regain full ownership of Aurora and advance the BESS toward transmission connection.
What the deal includes
The transaction brings the remaining 50% interest in SiliconAurora under 14D’s ownership. The package comprises:
- The remaining 50% interest in SiliconAurora.
- VSA’s approximately $1.76 million shareholder loan receivable from SiliconAurora, now held within the wholly owned Group.
- Assignment of any agreement between Vast and a third party in connection with development approval DA 010/V061/17 V3 for Aurora.
- Any right, title and interest held by Vast in engineering CAD drafting files relating to assets owned by SiliconAurora, covering site development, water, roads, civils, dams, BESS, geotechnical and environmental work, among other areas.
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Aurora’s development pathway advances
14D stated it continued to progress Aurora’s connection pathways and commercial development while finalising the acquisition. The approved 140 MW / 280 MWh battery energy storage system (“BESS”) has cleared AEMO’s technical requirements.
The BESS is described as a key component of Aurora’s planned firmed electricity supply. It is intended to support renewable generation and potential power purchase agreements with grid-connected and behind-the-meter customers.
Commercial transmission access negotiations with ElectraNet and a BHP subsidiary for the proposed 275 kV connection, under the H2H term sheet announced 9 April 2024, are advancing. In parallel, 14D is progressing a 33 kV connection pathway to support smaller customer developments ahead of the 275 kV connection.
| Pathway | Detail | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 33 kV | Connection pathway being progressed in parallel | Supports smaller customer developments ahead of the 275 kV connection, including earlier data centre development and EV charging |
| 275 kV | Proposed connection; commercial transmission access negotiations with ElectraNet and a BHP subsidiary under the H2H term sheet are advancing | Larger transmission connection |
In July 2026, the company signed a Heads of Agreement with an Australian data centre developer and operator for up to 1 GW of AI data centre infrastructure at Aurora. A Heads of Agreement is not a binding contract, and the counterparty was not named.
The 1 GW Heads of Agreement grants the operator exclusivity over an initial 40-hectare parcel, with a 17 MW starter campus enabled by the existing 33 kV connection ahead of the larger transmission milestone.
Dr Kevin Moriarty, Executive Chairman
“…Full ownership now simplifies how we bring customers, infrastructure partners and capital into the precinct.”
Why energy precincts matter to data centre and industrial users
A firmed renewable energy precinct is a site that combines renewable generation with storage, so electricity can be supplied more reliably than from generation alone. A BESS stores electricity and releases it when needed.
Energy-intensive users such as data centres require reliable, low-emissions power at scale. Supply can come through the National Electricity Market (“NEM”), the main grid on Australia’s east coast, or behind-the-meter (“BTM”), meaning power delivered directly to a customer on site without passing through the public grid.
Aurora sits within the Upper Spencer Gulf Renewable Energy Zone, with access to Port Augusta, grid and fibre infrastructure. It holds Crown-sponsored development approvals for solar generation, battery storage and long-duration thermal energy storage.
Sole ownership matters because power purchase agreements (PPAs), long-term contracts to buy electricity, depend on a counterparty able to commit the site. 14D says full ownership simplifies those negotiations.
Investment thesis and next steps
The announcement and company profile point to three themes:
- Sole ownership of a development-ready energy and industrial site.
- Staged development, with the 33 kV pathway intended to support earlier projects while the larger transmission connection progresses.
- The Stage 1 BESS, which the company describes as a “near-term revenue opportunity”.
14D has invited infrastructure developers and financiers to partner on Aurora’s staged development. The focus is on securing PPAs for supply to the NEM and BTM data centres and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
Dr Moriarty said the company’s priority is “securing commercial commitments that support investment and future revenue.”
Beyond Aurora, 14D’s wider platform includes SiBrick®, SiBox®, SiPHyR® and SiNTL™, spanning thermal storage, industrial heat, hydrogen and battery materials.
The announcement does not disclose revenue figures, timelines or funding amounts. The July 2026 Heads of Agreement is non-binding, and the 275 kV negotiations are still advancing, so commercial commitments are not yet secured. Progress on those fronts is likely to be the key marker for investors following Aurora’s development.
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