EQT Infrastructure to acquire Madison Energy Investments, a leading integrated US solar distributed generation platform

• Transaction builds on EQT’s thematic investment strategy in the renewable energy space, adding a leading integrated renewable distributed generation platform that is a key contributor to the broader energy transition by providing solar and storage energy solutions
• EQT Infrastructure to support MEI’s next phase of growth by providing ample access to growth capital to drive increased deployment of distributed solar and storage assets, leveraging in-house digital expertise to further optimize the organization, and expanding MEI’s reach across a broader customer base

EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Infrastructure VI fund (“EQT Infrastructure”) has agreed to acquire Madison Energy Investments (“MEI”) from affiliates of Stonepeak Partners LP (“Stonepeak”).

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Vienna, VA, MEI is a leading developer, owner, and operator of distributed solar and energy storage projects for commercial and industrial (“C&I”) and community-based (“community”) customers within the US. Since inception, MEI has built a leading portfolio of more than 386MW across the US. The MEI management team brings deep sector knowledge within distributed generation with more than 50 years of combined experience in acquiring, constructing, financing, and operating assets, having deployed more than 800MW across ~500 projects.

Spurred by customer demand and federal/state policy tailwinds, the distributed renewable generation industry continues to experience rapid growth and is a key facilitator of the broader energy transition. MEI’s on-site and proximate distributed energy projects address critical energy supply issues by delivering significant cost savings vs. retail electricity prices and enabling avoidance of transmission constraints for its customers. MEI’s innovative energy solutions are a key driver of C&I and community customers achieving their energy resiliency goals, which is essential for the global energy transition.

EQT Infrastructure will support the MEI management team and platform by providing access to growth capital to accelerate the deployment of distributed solar and storage assets, offering EQT’s in-house digital expertise to further digitize the organization, and expanding MEI’s reach across a broader customer base.

Alex Darden, Partner and Head of EQT’s US Infrastructure platform, said, “EQT Infrastructure has followed the renewable distributed generation market and MEI closely for several years given the strong thematic tailwinds supporting the sector, prior EQT experience in solar development and operation, and MEI’s strong position as a leading integrated platform in the US. The renewable generation sector is an increasingly important part of the energy transition, and we are excited to partner with the MEI team as they build on their strong track record and continue to provide solar and storage energy solutions that are not only better for the environment, but also have tangible cost savings for their customers.”

Richard Walsh, Managing Partner of MEI, said, “We are looking forward to partnering with EQT’s US infrastructure platform. EQT’s team, experience and growth mindset make them the ideal partner to amplify our business in achieving new heights in clean energy. This is an exciting chapter we call ‘MEI 2.0’ – a transformative time in the industry with strong policy tailwinds, compelling economics for our customers and ever-increasing demand for resiliency and ESG solutions. Our focus remains on our customers and our partners to lead them through this critical energy transition. We could not be more excited to lean into the EQT portfolio and accelerate that mission.”

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approvals and is expected to close in Q1 2023. With the acquisition of MEI, EQT Infrastructure VI (target fund size of EUR 20.0 billion) will be 0-5 percent invested based on its target fund size. The agreement to acquire MEI is the first transaction signed by EQT Infrastructure VI, which means that the fund has been activated and started charging management fees. EQT Infrastructure V is expected to be 80-85 percent invested following recent acquisitions (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication) and continues to be in its commitment period but management fees will, following activation of EQT Infrastructure VI, be based on net invested capital.  

EQT Infrastructure was advised by Barclays (financial) and Simpson, Thatcher, & Bartlett LLP (legal).

Contact
US media inquiries: Stephanie Greengarten, stephanie.greengarten@eqtpartners.com, +1 646-687-6810
International media inquiries: EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of EQT Infrastructure VI will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document that would be obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer of the securities and its management, as well as financial information. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 114 billion in assets under management within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence, and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
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About MEI
Madison Energy Investments develops, constructs, owns, and operates distributed generation assets within the commercial and industrial (C&I) and small utility-scale sectors. The team’s diverse experience has produced best practices across all phases of the industry from origination to asset management. Quality partnerships and the ‘execution mindset’ drives MEI to be the best team in the industry.

More info: www.madisonei.com

About Stonepeak
Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $51.7 billion of assets under management. Through its investment in defensive, hard-asset businesses globally, Stonepeak aims to create value for its investors and portfolio companies, and to have a positive impact on the communities in which it operates. Stonepeak sponsors investment vehicles focused on private equity and credit. The firm provides capital, operational support, and committed partnership to sustainably grow investments in its target sectors, which include communications, energy transition, transport and logistics, and social infrastructure. Stonepeak is headquartered in New York with offices in Austin, Hong Kong, Houston, London, and Sydney.

More info: www.stonepeak.com

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