A key player in Mike Cannon-Brookes’ $40 billion Sun Cable venture says big renewables projects in Australia will struggle to overcome nimbyism and a lack of strong resolve from governments.

Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners managing director David Scaysbrook questioned the investment returns on the latest round of big wind and solar farm transactions struck at big prices. He also raised doubts about the feasibility of Fortescue’s stalled Gibson Island green hydrogen and ammonia project in Brisbane.