London, 10th of October 2023

Leading investor in sustainable infrastructure Asper has launched the Asper District Heating Forum, an exciting opportunity for our portfolio companies to exchange ideas, build a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and benefit from Asper’s extensive platform-building experience.

Since 2014, Asper has invested substantially in greenfield district heating networks, raising over €500 million in dedicated capital. Our extensive experience in the sector is underscored by our portfolio of four district heating platforms at different stages of development across attractive markets for district heating in Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland. Serving a diverse range of customers, in residential, commercial, and public buildings, they focus on sustainable heat sources such as residual heat sources and low or zero carbon technologies including heat pumps, which were the focus of the first Asper District Heating Forum.

To meet the ambitious decarbonization targets set for the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland alone, more than €150 billion of investment will be required by 2050. The core of Asper’s mission is to Build the New, and we aim to contribute as much to this ambition as possible. That is why we support developers with capital and other resources to scale up their businesses and grow their portfolio faster. We use the proven infrastructure growth equity investment approach with the aim of building sustainable greenfield platforms, providing access to capital, and leveraging Asper’s extensive sector experience acquired in other markets.

Investing in new sustainable heating infrastructure can be highly rewarding, both in financial and impact terms. But it is also highly complex. Recognizing that our platform businesses were encountering similar challenges, despite operating in diverse markets, we realized the Asper District Heating Forum would give them the chance to come together, exchange challenges and spot potential synergies among their businesses.

Asper expects heat pumps to play an important role in the decarbonization of heating, including heat networks, so made this the subject of the first Direct Heating Forum. With 4MW already installed, Asper’s platforms have plans to add >200MW of heat pump capacity in the near future. The Forum discussed key topics such as integrating heat pumps into existing networks and buildings, balancing technical and commercial aspects, and the choice of refrigerants.

Asper and its platforms are now planning new editions of the Forum, to explore other relevant topics such as customer proposition, development processes and the supply chain. As Asper continues to expand and innovate in the world of district heating, the Asper District Heating Forum promises to be a vital driver of collaboration, learning and progress. Stay tuned for further updates from Asper and its platforms as we embark on our mission to transform urban environments and deliver on the heating transition.

For more information of Asper’s platform businesses see: Vasa Värme, Energie voor Elkaar, 1Energy, HeatGrid Ireland.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Investorrelations@asper-im.com