European Investment Fund and CDP Real Asset join as  co-anchor investors, supporting the energy transition in order to fight climate change

EQUITA Capital SGR – one of the primary multi-asset management platforms in Italy and part of the EQUITA Group, the leading independent Italian investment bank – is pleased to announce the successful first close of the EQUITA Green Impact Fund (EGIF) with €100 million of commitments.

The European Investment Fund (EIF – Part of the EIB Group), backed by the InvestEU programme, and CDP Real Asset SGR [1] are backing the EGIF initiative as co-anchor investors, with the aim of supporting the energy transition and contributing materially to the fight against climate change.

These two top tier institutions were joined by other highly regarded institutional investors, including leading insurance companies and banks, together with EQUITA and the EGIF investment team, with a mission to make a commitment to work towards a better future and at the same time earn attractive investment returns.

EGIF – which qualifies as an Article 9 product under the European Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and as a PIR compliant fund – will now start to deploy its capital to increase renewable energy capacity. Its main focus will be on the Italian renewables market, whilst adding some diversification into other EU countries. Investments will mainly target utility-scale greenfield opportunities in solar photovoltaic, onshore wind and biogas.

In parallel, the EGIF team will continue to attract new investors and raise additional resources to fund the energy transition.

Andrea Vismara, Chief Executive Officer at EQUITA, said: "EQUITA is delighted to welcome the European Investment Fund, CDP Real Asset, and all other institutions and investors who have placed their trust in us. This first close is an important milestone that demonstrates our ability to enhance and diversify our suite of products in order to offer our clients a top tier service. Our Alternative Asset Management division is growing rapidly: today EQUITA Capital SGR is one of the very few Italian asset managers active in private debt, private equity and renewable infrastructure, with a broad and growing product range in illiquid proprietary investment solutions.”

“The investment in EQUITA’s Green Impact Fund shows the EIF’s commitment to promoting sustainable solutions that not only protect our planet but also deliver good investment returns,” said EIF Chief Investment Officer Alessandro Tappi. “It is through initiatives like this that we can build a better and greener future for all.”

Balthazar Cazac, Managing Partner at EGIF, commented: "We are thrilled to have reached the first close of our fund. We will now begin to deploy capital by utilizing our extensive network of contacts, and to build on the rich pipeline of projects the team has shortlisted in Italy and across the EU.”