• The launch of the fund helps local governments and businesses transition to cleaner energy and a low-carbon economy.
• European businesses often face financial hindrances in achieving their clean energy goals, and this announcement makes it much easier for them to finance low-carbon infrastructure projects.

Crédit Agricole Assurances (CAA), a French insurance company, has announced a new fund called the Crédit Agricole Transition Infrastructure Debt Fund (CATI) to finance projects that support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

RGREEN INVEST, an asset management specialist that has €2.5 billion in assets under management and 15 years of experience, will manage the €300 million fund that aligns with EU sustainability rules (Article 9 of SFDR) and gives a fillip to energy transition projects in Europe and France.

Crédit Agricole Assurances’ life insurance arm, Predica, is also investing in the transition fund, and RGREEN INVEST is responsible for selecting and structuring project financing.

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Nicolas Rochon, Founder & CEO of RGREEN INVEST, said: “We are delighted to form this partnership, which represents a major milestone in our mission to support energy transition companies. Crédit Agricole Group’s strong presence among European SMEs and ETIs is a key advantage in achieving the investment depth we’re looking for.

"This new vehicle is an ideal addition to our existing range of financing solutions, adding a long-term senior debt solution to our European short-term funds and our long-term senior debt fund dedicated to Africa. We have a clear ambition: to offer every entrepreneur in the industry a financing solution tailored to their needs, regardless of their project’s maturity.”

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The primary focus is on photovoltaic solar energy, wind power assets, hydropower, biogas, biomethane, and bioenergies, battery power storage, electric vehicle charging stations, geothermal energy, waste heat recovery, energy efficiency, and energy-efficient infrastructure like data centres and fibre-optic networks.

Nicolas Denis, CEO of Crédit Agricole Assurances, added: “With the launch of this new fund, and as part of Crédit Agricole Group’s societal project, Crédit Agricole Assurances reinforces its commitment to supporting the low-carbon transition.

"Given the increasingly challenging environmental context, calling for strong commitments from all economic actors, we are convinced of this new financial platform’s usefulness. This project further illustrates the synergies emerging from the Crédit Agricole Group to serve our clients and local communities.”

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Source: RGREEN INVEST