Dallas-based Hunt Energy Network has received a funding commitment of $250 million from Ontario, Canada-based Manulife Investment Management.

Manulife’s commitment was sourced from Manulife Infrastructure Fund III and its affiliates Hunt Energy Network said it will use the funding to develop and operate dispatchable power resources in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

“Over the past three years, our partnership with Manulife let us build a resilient network of dispatchable, distributed storage all across Texas,” Pat Wood, CEO of Hunt Energy Network, said in a statement. “Now, we can continue that work as well as move into other opportunities to reliably serve customers in ERCOT.”

Hunt Energy said this new commitment is distinct from Manulife’s March 2021 commitment of $225 million to form HEN Infrastructure, a separate venture with Hunt Energy Network to develop and operate a portfolio of distribution level energy storage assets in ERCOT.

As of today, this venture has developed 270 megawatts of energy storage currently operational in ERCOT and another 80 MW under development with a targeted completion date of early 2025.

‘Providing reliable power when needed most’

Backed by Manulife’s commitment, Hunt Energy Network said it plans to develop additional energy storage projects and new thermal peaking generation facilities throughout ERCOT.

It said the thermal peaking units would have significant on-site fuel storage, ensuring the ability to reliably operate during critical times, such as extreme weather events. Also, these generators would be able to run on a variety of fuel types. Unlike generators that rely solely on natural gas, these generators would not be dependent on the operational status of natural gas supply and delivery, the company said.

Hunt Energy Network said it also will focus on helping commercial customers fully utilize backup generation at their facilities to provide resiliency for the customer and participation in the ERCOT market when the generation is not serving the customer.

The company said that by using its 24/7 operations desk and TraDER optimization platform, Hunt Energy Network can provide opportunities for commercial and industrial customers to receive full resilient back up power while also providing much needed resources to the ERCOT grid.

“We recognize the importance that dispatchable generation brings to the electricity customers of Texas by providing reliable power when needed most,” Recep Kendircioglu, global head of infrastructure, Manulife Investment Management, said in a statement. “Continuing our long-standing partnership with Hunt Energy will support the grid and allows us to drive innovation with a market leader in ERCOT.”

Building a better backup network

Hunter Hunt, CEO of Hunt Energy, the parent company of Hunt Energy Network, said the network will benefit from the funding.

“Hunt Energy Network is building Texas’ first network of distributed resources, which will include batteries, peaking power, and customer onsite generation to help Texas meet its explosive demand growth. Our goal is to provide the resiliency ERCOT needs to keep supplying affordable, clean, and reliable power to Texans,” Hunt said. “Hunt’s relationship with Manulife goes back decades, and we are thrilled to continue and expand that relationship in making Hunt Energy Network the partner of choice for grid operators and customers.”

Hunt Energy Network is a developer and operator of dispatchable energy resources and utilizes its TraDER platform to site distributed energy resources, integrate those resources into competitive markets, and operate those resources as optimized portfolios. It’s part of a larger privately-owned group of companies managed by the Ray L. Hunt family that engages in oil and gas exploration, refining, power, real estate, ranching and private equity investments.

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