PensionDanmark and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) have joined forces to create a platform that they say will "bring the green transition of energy supply into a new phase."

With the establishment of Plexar Energy, the partners will develop and operate microgrids based on renewable energy, which are financed and owned by the CI Microgrid Electrification Fund (CI MEF).

The pilot fund is being established with a total investment commitment of €112.5m, of which PensionDanmark will provide €100m and the remainder from CIP.

Microgrids are independent, local electricity grids that can deliver large amounts of green energy to large customers such as transport companies and industrial production without negatively affecting the electricity supply in the surrounding community.

The microgrids will be powered by on-site energy sources such as solar or wind, combined with battery capacity to ensure a stable supply.

Meanwhile, Plexar Energy will offer a standardised solution for microgrids that can interact with the local electricity grid.

PensionDanmark head of private markets, Rune Gade Holm, said new platforms were needed to lead the energy system's green transition into a new phase, where it can seriously take place in areas such as heavy transport and industry.

"Microgrids can become a central element in the energy supply of the future, and therefore, we see an attractive investment opportunity in the concept we have developed together with CIP, which will also increase the sustainability of the energy supply," he explained.

"The technology will provide customers with a robust electricity supply while also addressing capacity challenges in the electricity grid," added CIP partner and Plexar Energy CEO, Karsten Plauborg.

"Electrification has become a path to improved competitiveness for many companies, and microgrids provide fast and cost-effective access to large amounts of electricity, which is in demand in many sectors.

"Plexar Energy will offer commercial and direct solutions to this need, and we are very pleased to begin this new collaboration with our long-standing partner, PensionDanmark," he concluded.

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