InvestEU: support for Belgian growth fund investing into energy transition projects

The European Investment Fund (EIF) has provided a €30 million contribution to the new energy fund of the Belgian growth equity fund Junction, with a first close reached at €75 million. The EIF participation in the fund is made possible through the support of the new InvestEU programme, as well as the Dutch Future Fund. Junction’s new fund is focused on impact-driven companies developing software and hardware solutions that enable the energy transition. Notably, it will invest in clean energy production enabling technologies and in energy efficiency technologies for the building and renovation industries. In its investments, Junction will focus on companies in the Benelux countries and Germany, but remains open to applications from other countries. Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for the Economy, said “InvestEU is making an important contribution to achieving our green objectives. I am delighted that, with this agreement, InvestEU will grant companies in the energy sector access to the finance they need to innovate, grow and create jobs. I am proud that InvestEU will play an important role in helping these companies achieve their full potential.” The InvestEU programme provides the EU with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investments for EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners who will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budgetary guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increase their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment. A press release is available online.