BAAR-ZUG, Switzerland - Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, has agreed to sell VSB Group, a prominent European renewable energy platform, to TotalEnergies (EPA:TTEF) for an equity value of EUR 1.57 billion. This transaction marks a significant milestone for VSB, which has seen substantial growth since Partners Group's acquisition in 2020.
VSB, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Germany, is active in the full renewable energy value chain, including development, construction, ownership, and management of renewables projects.
The company has developed over 2.3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy assets and manages 3 GW of assets across several European countries. VSB also ventures into e-mobility with charging infrastructure solutions.
Under Partners Group's ownership, VSB's project pipeline surged from 8 GW to over 18 GW, and its operating and under construction capacity grew from 53 megawatts (MW) to more than 475 MW. The company's expansion into wind and solar photovoltaic (PV), battery storage, and e-mobility technologies, as well as enhancements in talent management, have resulted in a five-fold increase in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).
The sale is influenced by the strong thematic tailwinds in Europe, such as the push for decarbonization, regulatory support for clean energy, and a focus on energy independence. These factors have contributed to VSB's growth and are expected to continue doing so.
David Daum, Partner and Head of Infrastructure Europe at Partners Group, commented on the sale, stating that VSB was identified as a prime candidate to benefit from Europe's decarbonization efforts. He expressed that following the completion of their value creation plan, it was the opportune moment to exit the investment.
Maximilian Christ, Member of Management, Infrastructure Europe at Partners Group, noted VSB's increased project development output and operating asset base during their tenure. He highlighted the operational excellence initiatives and technology investments that have set a strong foundation for VSB's future growth.
Partners Group's Infrastructure business manages USD 26 billion in assets globally.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.