Paris, 5 June 2024 – Smart Energies, a French leading solar IPP, announces the arrival of two new shareholders, Plenium Partners, through its fund Ecualia Capital, and SWEN Capital Partners through its strategy SWEN Impact Fund for Transition dedicated to investments in renewables. The two new shareholders are investing alongside the long-standing historical shareholders of Smart Energies, and RGREEN INVEST, which has supported the group since 2022. The capital increase amounts to €87 million and will accelerate the deployment of solar on roofs, parking lots and small ground-based projects in Europe.
Smart Energies, a French vertically integrated IPP focused on mid-scale PV projects in France, Italy, Greece and the Nordics, already owns and operates more than 500 solar sites in Europe and has a total capacity in operation or under construction of more than 160 MWp. The firm, which had raised €20 million in 2022 from RGREEN INVEST, has since accelerated its deployment in Europe with the opening of new offices in Italy, Greece, Finland and Sweden, and through the development of new activities including battery storage. With this new financing round it will accelerate its development, particularly in Greece and the Nordic countries.
The partnership with Plenium Partners and SWEN Capital Partners represents a significant step in Smart Energies’ business strategy, as both partners will be key to the company’s growth. Plenium Partners is an independent Spanish investment group specialising in sustainable real assets within renewable energy transition, circular economy and real estate. Since its founding in 2007, it has accumulated investments in excess of 7.5 billion euros.
Vianney de l’Estang, President of Smart Energies, said: “We are delighted to welcome Swen and Plenium on board and with the renewed support of our existing shareholders. This new round of financing shows the quality of our teams and will enable us to step up the deployment of our strategy, which is unique in Europe, based on medium-sized solar projects with a minimum land footprint: Smart Energies, a mission-driven company, mainly develops projects on already artificialized land such as buildings, parking lots or small polluted plots, with strong local economic impact for the thousands of farmers, landlords, SMEs and craftsmen who are part of the adventure. These funds will enable the construction of more than 1,000 projects over the next 4 years”.
Nicolas Rochon, President of RGREEN INVEST declared: “Following our investment in 2022, the arrival of new financial partners alongside RGREEN INVEST will make it possible to further accelerate Smart Energies’ growth. We are convinced that the success of the development of solar is key for achieving Europe’s objectives in terms of energy transition.
Charlotte Virally, Investment Director at Swen Capital Partners said: “The quality of the Smart Energies team and its strategy focused on small solar projects that have enormous potential convinced us of the relevance of this investment. We are delighted to support Smart Energies in the next stage of its growth, in France and internationally.”
The investment team of Plenium Partners, stated: “We are thrilled to partner with Smart Energies in their mission to drive forward the energy transition with a strategy focused on distributed generation. Our investment underscores our commitment to sustainable infrastructure solutions, and we look forward to supporting the company’s ambitious growth and international expansion.”