MIAMI & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--I Squared, a leading independent global infrastructure investment manager, announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Aurora Utilities Limited (Aurora). Aurora is an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) platform that holds a license, regulated by Ofgem, the UK’s Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, to own and operate electricity distribution networks across the UK’s liberalized electricity market.
I Squared will invest $200 million to scale the platform into a large owner of grid infrastructure, connecting customers to the electricity network to support the build out of EV charging stations, battery storage sites, commercial and industrial business electrification as well as new residential housing developments.
Solutions to speed up deployment of connection infrastructure for critical sectors of the UK economy will play an increasingly vital role in enabling the UK to meet its legally binding commitment of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Facilitating the movement of clean energy generation to support hard to decarbonize sectors such as heating, industrial processes and transport is a vital next step in the energy transition.
Today’s announcement marks the second investment from I Squared’s Energy Transition Infrastructure Fund which focuses solely on sustainable investments. Through the acquisition of Aurora, I Squared will adopt, own and operate new electrical connections, known as “last-mile” infrastructure, such as switch gear, transformers, circuit breakers and power cables to support new technologies.
The company will receive long-term, index-linked, regulated revenues from energy suppliers who use Aurora's assets to distribute electricity to their customers. The investment will help a rapidly decarbonizing power grid but which needs to support a forecast doubling of electricity demand by 2050.
Aurora’s founding management team comprises Simon Reilly as Chief Executive Officer and Jamie McAinsh as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to co-founding Aurora, Simon and Jamie built a successful IDNO for the UK gas distribution network, SGN.
Damian Darragh, Fund Partner, I Squared said: “I Squared’s acquisition of Aurora signals our commitment to delivering the infrastructure required to enable electrification of the UK energy system. We are excited to build a platform to meet the growing electricity demands in the UK.”
Simon Reilly, CEO at Aurora, commented, “IDNOs must play an increasingly key role in the electrification of transport, energy and heating systems to support UK decarbonization across all sectors of the economy if we are to meet our net zero targets by 2050. I Squared’s backing is testament to this, and with the team’s proven abilities to accelerate growth in innovative, sustainable businesses, I am confident that Aurora will go from strength-to-strength. We look forward to partnering with organizations who are as passionate about lowering emissions as we are.”
The Aurora platform will support customers by partnering early to support the technical design and legal requirements of the connection equipment thereby mitigating any construction risk and then adopting the assets once the infrastructure is completely built. The Aurora platform will complement wider I Squared portfolio companies, involved with electrification themes including Conrad Energy, Arriva and Cube Cold.
About I Squared
I Squared is a leading independent global infrastructure investor with over $40 billion in assets under management. I Squared is known for developing and building investment platforms in infrastructure projects that start small and grow big. I Squared uses its extensive global insights and deep local intelligence to solve complex problems, foster smarter businesses, serve local communities, and invest in a more sustainable future to provide essential services to millions of people around the world. Headquartered in Miami, I Squared employs 280 people and has offices in Abu Dhabi, London, Munich, New Delhi, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Taipei. The firm operates a diverse portfolio of 85 companies in 81 countries with over 66,000 employees in a variety of sectors including utilities, energy, digital infrastructure, transport, environmental infrastructure, and social infrastructure. You can find out more by visiting: www.isquaredcapital.com.
About Aurora Utilities
Aurora is a new Ofgem regulated Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO). Licensed to work anywhere in Great Britian, Aurora is proud to enable economic growth and long-term sustainability by connecting new developments to the electricity grid. Aurora helps developers and Independent Connection Providers (ICPs) design dependable, efficient, safe, innovative and cost-effective electrical networks so they can connect to the grid in the most environmentally friendly way possible. The business operates across five core sectors:
- Electric vehicle charging: This includes cars, buses, trucks, trains and trams. From service stations and EV points, to forecourts and super-charging hubs, Aurora is helping to accelerate the UK to net zero.
- Battery storage and renewables: Aurora adopts BESS connections and renewable energy projects of all sizes and voltages, right up to 132 kV, driving the nation’s energy transition forward.
- Data centres: From smaller edge data centres to huge hyper-scalers, Aurora has the expertise to get them connected in a more efficient and sustainable way than ever before.
- Industrial and commercial: This includes offices, schools, warehouses, factories, hospitals, shops, and more. With Aurora’s expertise, new buildings will be fit for a greener, cleaner future.
- Residential: From new housing developments to high-rise apartments or urban regeneration projects, Aurora is supporting developers to keep project costs down, connect quickly, and lower their carbon footprint.
By partnering with Aurora, developers and ICPs benefit from market-leading asset values, unrivalled customer service, and industry expertise to help decarbonise developments and create sustainable local communities and businesses of the future. To find out more please visit: www.aurora-utilities.co.uk
Disclaimers
This document does not constitute advice or a recommendation or offer to sell or a solicitation to deal in any security or financial product. It is provided for information purposes only. Investing involves risk, loss of principal is possible.
Specific investments described herein do not represent all investment decisions made by ISQ. The reader should not assume that investment decisions identified and discussed were or will be profitable. Specific investment advice references provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily representative of investments that will be made in the future.
