Octopus Energy Generation has launched an infrastructure fund that gives pension schemes and private wealth investors a simple and flexible way to invest in green infrastructure.
The CG Octopus Energy Sustainable Growth Fund I (Astris), backed with a £165m (€194m) cornerstone investment from an unnamed investor, provides access to more than 50 renewable energy projects in 15 countries, including wind, solar and large-scale battery projects.
Astris, structured to give investors monthly access to the fund, is designed to offer access to private market renewable energy assets with greater flexibility than traditional closed-end fund structures.
Carne Group, a provider of fund management solutions to the asset management industry, will serve as the fund’s authorised corporate director, responsible for overseeing its operations and governance.
Matt Setchell, co-head of Octopus Energy Generation, said: “For too long, pension schemes and private wealth have had limited investment opportunities in private markets due to a lack of innovative solutions. The launch of this fund changes that.
“It’s been built from the ground up to remove the structural barriers for investors wishing to participate in the $275trn generational investment opportunity to fund the energy transition and invest alongside professional investors and institutional funds from around the world. Day one investors will own a globally diverse portfolio of renewable projects and companies – delivering genuine impact with no compromise on financial returns.“
Jeremy Soutter, managing director at Carne Group, said: “At a time of heightened attention on the UK’s role within the global green transition and investment in the productive assets at the forefront of this change, the fund is an important enabler of private wealth and pension fund exposure both to private infrastructure as an asset class and to the energy transition as an investment opportunity.
“As the partner of choice for bringing innovative private markets products to market, we believe our partnership with Octopus exemplifies the benefits of collaboration in facilitating this innovation and delivering best-in-class fund management processes for end investors.”
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