Blue Pearl Energy launches an innovative European platform for B2B energy services, backed by DWS

Press release

Paris, France, 2 november 2020 – Blue Pearl Energy has announced the launch of its innovative European energy services platform, dedicated to offering comprehensive energy efficiency solutions for public, commercial and industrial buildings. Designed to provide an alternative to large energy companies, Blue Pearl Energy has developed an original business model, whose aim is to create a powerful European network of SMEs specialising in various fields of energy services for private and public sector clients. Supported by global infrastructure investment manager DWS on behalf of one of its funds, the platform has a €600 million investment programme earmarked for the acquisition of some twenty SMEs over a five-year period, with three companies already acquired as of the 2nd quarter of 2020.

Blue Pearl Energy’s investment programme enjoys the financial backing of DWS’ institutional pan-European infrastructure fund, the third in the series. This solid financial footing will enable the platform to acquire SMEs specialising in one or several aspects of B2B energy services throughout France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Central Europe. It will also enable Blue Pearl Energy’s clients to finance their own energy efficiency-related investments.

The Blue Pearl Energy platform aims to bring together SMEs with complementary expertise and services, in order to offer comprehensive energy efficiency solutions for buildings and industrial sites, primarily in the fields of electrical engineering, HVAC engineering, onsite renewable energy generation, cogeneration and energy management.

The company’s ambition is to be recognized as a reliable alternative supplier of energy services, independent of large energy service providers, and capable of delivering comprehensive value-added solutions covering a wide range of geographies, technologies and clients.

 

Supporting SMEs to succeed in the new energy efficiency market

The range of service providers offering energy solutions for buildings and facilities is characterized by a clear divide between large industrial groups and SMEs. In a market with such strong growth potential, this creates a vacuum for medium-sized newcomers that Blue Pearl Energy is ideally positioned to fill.

Eric de Seguins Pazzis, co-founder and CEO of Blue Pearl Energy, explains: “there is a strong market opportunity for an initiative like ours: firstly, because the European market for energy services is showing strong growth, boosted by the urgent drive towards energy transition. This drive is now at the heart of Europe’s post-Covid stimulus plans. Secondly, because the sector is currently split between large multinationals on the one hand, and on the other hand independent SMEs who struggle to offer comprehensive solutions, preventing them from accessing certain customer segments and large-scale contracts. This creates a space for a medium-sized operator offering a hybrid model, capable of meeting the needs of clients who have so far been insufficiently met by the existing ecosystem.”

 

A credible alternative to the largest energy services suppliers

Blue Pearl Energy aims to tap into the potential for complementarity across the companies in its network, building up synergies in order to offer more comprehensive solutions for its clients. This hybrid model combines the best of both worlds: on the one hand, that of  large groups, by providing a central platform to drive forward the strategic vision of the entire network, as well as support its commercial development by deploying new services and widening its client base. On the other hand, that of the SMEs who will join the platform, operating with a deep-rooted entrepreneurial culture and whose values are defined by proximity, agility and a resolute sense of customer service.

This innovative concept has already won over three fast-growing SMEs operating in France and in Belgium: Alcad, Coretec Energy and Cogengreen. These acquisitions were finalised in the second quarter of 2020, while advanced discussions are currently underway with several other SMEs eager to subscribe to Blue Pearl Energy’s value proposition.

The accelerated energy transition of the European economy is creating new needs for businesses and the public sector. This new dynamic requires small energy services companies to provide more comprehensive solutions by gathering a broader range of complementary expertise in one place. Blue Pearl Energy provides an innovative solution to this new challenge and adopts a clear course of action and ambition: activating synergies between high-potential SMEs while preserving their operational autonomy, agility and business culture. Thanks to Blue Pearl Energy, the SMEs who join the platform will benefit from enhanced capacities for European deployment, while retaining their business independence, their benchmark position in their respective markets, and their organizations,” concludes Eric de Seguins Pazzis.

 

Press Contacts

Jonathan Collings | Alesia Communications 
FR +33 (0) 652 694 221 | jonathan@alesia-communications.com

About Blue Pearl Energy

Blue Pearl Energy was founded in early 2020 by a group of experienced executives in the energy services sector, with the aim of developing a European platform for B2B energy services. The Blue Pearl Energy platform is independent, and supports the development of SMEs with complimentary skill sets, in order to offer its customers energy efficiency solutions that are comprehensive, competitive, reliable and long-term, thereby enabling them to rise to the challenges of the global energy transition. Supported by the PEIF III infrastructure fund from DWS, one of the biggest asset management firms in the world, Blue Pearl Energy plans to invest €600 million to complete some twenty acquisitions over the course of the next five years.

www.bluepearlenergy.com

 

About DWS – Infrastructure

DWS has been investing in infrastructure assets since 1992. The global platform – which provides client solutions covering private equity infrastructure, debt and separate account mandates – gives investors access to such economic sectors as transportation, utilities, telecommunications, and other service sectors critical to the basic functioning of local and global economies. The direct infrastructure business has almost €11 billion in assets under management and 40 infrastructure investment professionals as at June 30, 2020. With 20+ years of direct infrastructure experience, DWS employs a disciplined investment approach and aims to deliver superior long-term risk adjusted returns, preservation of capital and diversification to its investors, which include governments, corporations, insurance companies, endowments, and retirement plans worldwide.

 

About DWS Group

DWS Group (DWS) is one of the world’s leading asset managers with EUR 745bn of assets under management (as of 30 June 2020). Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major asset classes and solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground-knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, which guides our investment approach strategically.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing: with approximately 3,500 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are investors – entrusted to build the best foundation for our clients’ future.

Back to news