Private equity and venture capital investor EQT Group announced today the launch of EQT Transition Infrastructure, a new strategy aimed at investing in and scaling companies enabling the transition to a low-carbon and circular economy across industries.

The new strategy is being launched with the acquisition of Germany-based battery energy developer ju:niz Energy as its first thematic investment.

According to EQT, the new strategy will leverage the firm’s “longstanding industrial experience in building businesses and deep sector expertise,” as well as its experience investing in areas including energy & environmental and transport & logistics investments, with the company able to provide industrial, technological, and sustainability expertise, in addition to capital, to help scale transition-focused businesses.

The 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, and chaired by Francesco Starace, formerly CEO of Italian energy giant ENEL, who joined EQT last year.

Vesely said:

“The pace of technological innovation and a steady reduction in costs, coupled with digitalization and the evolution of AI, continue to drive the need for a transformation of our energy systems and the economy. Against this backdrop, EQT Transition Infrastructure will help emerging but proven solutions and businesses scale, to create the next generation of sustainable energy infrastructure.”

Founded in 2023, ju:niz develops and operates advanced utility-scale battery storage systems, with activities spanning site acquisition and grid connection to construction, maintenance and commercial management. EQT said that it will help ju:niz to expand its business, scale its development of battery energy storage projects and execute on its project pipeline.

Echaniz said:

“The introduction of this strategy reinforces EQT’s commitment to investing towards a climate-resilient future. ju:niz Energy is a perfect example of the type of business that EQT Transition Infrastructure will seek to invest in. We believe its innovative technology has strong underlying economics and the potential to help our energy infrastructure become significantly cleaner, more affordable and resilient.”