US investment giant BlackRock’s (NYSE:BLK) Evergreen Infrastructure fund, focused on investments in energy transition and energy security in Europe and North America, has raised nearly USD 1 billion (EUR 920m) at its first close.
The fund, which was announced in June 2022, has already started building its portfolio of investments and has agreed to acquire Lighthouse, a commercial and industrial (C&I) solar and battery storage platform with an operating portfolio across six US states.
Evergreen Infrastructure has attracted commitments from various European founding partners, including Italian lender Intesa Sanpaolo SpA and pension fund Inarcassa. About 50% to 60% of its total capital is expected to be invested in Western Europe, including Italy.
“BlackRock’s new fund will span Europe and North America, regions teeming with opportunities for the construction or revitalisation of sustainable telecommunications, digital, energy, gas storage and renewable energy infrastructure,” said Flavio Gianetti, executive director of M&A and group shareholdings at Intesa.
(USD 1 = EUR 0.920)
