One of Australia’s major gas pipeline companies says it can bounce back from recent disappointment. 

APA Group says it is confident that it can secure a portion of the $50 billion opportunity involved in building renewable energy zones (REZs) across Australia, despite missing out the first time around. 

Adam Watson, CEO of APA Group, acknowledges that the company's consortium may have lost out to ACE Energy in the selection of the preferred contractor to build the Central-West Orana REZ near Dubbo.

According to Mr Watson, there are about 35 REZ projects in Australia, offering approximately $50 billion worth of opportunities. 

He believes there is a lot of opportunity for APA Group in this market. The company’s efforts to increase involvement in electricity transmission is part of a broader strategy to beef up its portfolio amid a major transformation taking place in Australia’s energy sector.

APA Group says it will be back for the next REZ construction bidding round, which is expected to be for the New England REZ. 

It is unclear whether the company will participate in the same consortium as it did for Central-West Orana, which included Macquarie Capital, UGL, and CIMIC. 

Mr Watson says that APA Group put significant time and effort into the bid for the Central-West Orana REZ, and will continue to work with the government on future bids. 

APA Group has announced it will soon bring its Mica Creek solar farm in Queensland online, which features a 88-megawatt solar farm integrated with transmission and gas-fired power generation to provide lower carbon electricity for mining companies in the region. 

Mr Watson says APA will continue rolling out this basic model across Australia's resources industry.

APA Group is also believed to be among several interested parties taking a look at Alinta Energy's remote power assets in the Pilbara.