The EQT Group, a private equity and venture capital firm, announced the launch of EQT Transition Infrastructure, an investment strategy aimed at scaling companies that support the transition to a low-carbon and circular economy. The new initiative is to be focused on the support of businesses across a variety of industries contributing to environmental sustainability and energy transformation.
Launch: The firm has made its first thematic investment through the acquisition of ju:niz Energy, Germany-based company that develops battery energy storage systems. It marks the beginning of EQT’s commitment to scaling businesses focused on clean energy and sustainable infrastructure. ju:niz Energy has involvement in utility-scale battery storage with a broad scope of activities including site acquisition, grid connection, construction, maintenance, and commercial management. Its advanced technology makes the company a major player in the renewable energy industry, where it has the potential to greatly improve energy storage solutions, which are important to a more sustainable energy grid.
EQT’s decision to introduce the new strategy is based on its deep expertise in industrial investment and its long experience in energy, environmental, and transport logistics sectors. The firm believes that its capability to provide not only capital but also technological and industrial know-how will be crucial in helping transition-focused businesses scale efficiently. The strategy will focus on companies with innovative solutions that can drive significant environmental impact while achieving strong financial returns.
New strategy will be co-led by Jan Vesely, Head of EQT Transition Infrastructure in New York, and Asis Echaniz, Head of EQT Transition Infrastructure Europe in Madrid. Both are seasoned professionals with vast experience in driving sustainable growth in the investment fields. Francesco Starace, the former CEO of ENEL, an Italian energy giant, also joins as the chairman of EQT Transition Infrastructure. The wide experience in the field of energy will provide direction towards which Starace’s investments could flow into and ensure the investments follow the broad goal that EQT aims at-to support the world in going to a low-carbon economy.
Technological innovations are highly significant to the achievement of faster transformations in the energy systems, says Vesely. He cited the fast pace of developments in renewable energy, digitalization, and artificial intelligence as drivers for the need to modernize energy infrastructure. According to Vesely, EQT Transition Infrastructure will focus on scaling emerging but proven solutions that can contribute to the next generation of sustainable energy infrastructure. The firm leverages the expertise it has in a particular sector to help such companies expand reach, optimize operations, and drive impactful change in the global energy landscape.
Echaniz also reflected the sentiment of Vesely: The new strategy of EQT underlines the firm’s commitment to investing in a climate-resilient future. The firm sees ju:niz Energy as a paradigm of the kind of business it will look to back going forward. Echaniz also mentioned that ju:niz Energy’s innovative battery storage technology has strong economic potential, and it can take up a significant role in reshaping the energy infrastructure towards clean, affordable, and resilience toward the challenges of climate change.
Founded in 2023, ju:niz Energy has quickly become a leader in the energy storage industry, working to provide large-scale solutions to the growing demand for renewable energy storage. Its work addresses a critical need in the transition to renewable energy sources as it is crucial to balancing supply and demand, ensuring the reliability and stability of power grids, and making renewable energy part of the mainstream energy market. Ju:niz will, therefore, with EQT’s support, expand its operations and greatly increase its ability to execute on its project pipeline.
EQT Transition Infrastructure’s strategic focus is clear: it will prioritize investments in companies with the potential to drive the global shift towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy. By combining industrial know-how, technological innovation, and capital, the firm aims to build a robust portfolio of businesses that can lead the charge in reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and contributing to the overall transformation of global infrastructure. This initiative aligns with EQT’s broader commitment to sustainability and its belief that the transition to a greener economy offers both significant investment opportunities and the potential to drive lasting environmental change.