Insights
InfrastructureEconomic Infrastructure update - Q2 2026
From biomethane financing to low-carbon transport achievements, portfolio companies continue to deliver on growth, operational progress and sustainability objectives.
Author
Aberdeen Investments
Duration: 6 Mins
Date: 02 Jul 2026
“The second quarter saw continued delivery across the Economic Infrastructure portfolio, underpinned by active asset management and a clear focus on long‑term value creation. During the quarter, we also hosted our Annual Investor Meeting and Advisory Board sessions, providing a valuable opportunity to engage with investors and partners on resilience and navigating an increasingly complex macroeconomic environment. Against this backdrop, our disciplined approach to diversified lower mid‑market infrastructure remains a key differentiator. We continue to see compelling opportunities across energy, digital and transport infrastructure, while maintaining a strong focus on operational delivery and portfolio resilience. This update highlights recent developments across the portfolio and our ongoing priorities”.
Dominic Helmsley, Head of Economic Infrastructure
Investment updates
Bionext Infrastructure – financing to support growth
Our Italian biomethane platform Bionext has secured a €113 million financing package to support its next phase of growth. The financing, provided by BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole CIB and SMBC, will support the conversion of the platform into 100% renewable biomethane production facilities and fund future expansion. Established in 2023, Bionext comprises 15 plants across central and northern Italy, which are currently producing biogas and being converted into biomethane facilities. Once converted, these assets will benefit from a stable 15-year incentive framework. This strengthens the platform’s role in supporting European biomethane production targets and broader energy transition goals, while enhancing long-term revenue visibility.
Loimua – strengthening local infrastructure and efficiency
Loimua has agreed to acquire the Finnish city of Orivesi’s remaining stake in Oriveden Aluelämpö Oy for €5 million, giving it full ownership of the district heating network. The transition to a single-owner model is expected to support continued development and operational stability, while maintaining reliable and competitively priced heating for customers. The city will use the proceeds to support infrastructure investment and strengthen its balance sheet.
Loimua has also commenced operations at a new heat pump plant at SSAB’s Hämeenlinna site, enabling the utilisation of industrial waste heat in district heating production. The facility has a capacity of approximately 10 MW and is expected to generate around 70 GWh annually, covering roughly 15% of local heating demand. The project is expected to reduce emissions by some 8,750 tonnes of CO₂ per year, while improving energy efficiency and reducing reliance on combustion-based fuels.
Outokummun Energia Oy – expanding regional footprint
Outokummun completed the acquisition of two local district heating networks – Lähienergia and Kangaslampi – in June. This expands the company’s footprint in eastern Finland and supports its strategy to scale regional operations. The acquisition is expected to increase the overall size of the business by approximately 15%.
Auris Energia - advancing energy-as-a-service capabilities
Auris has acquired steam processing and biogas operations in the city of Lahti’s industrial park, servicing a major industrial customer. Under the new structure, Auris will supply steam energy, optimise production in line with market dynamics and expand biogas capacity to support future demand. The transaction supports its strategy to deliver sustainable energy solutions to industrial clients and scale its energy-as-a-service offering.
Oikos Storage – supporting low-carbon transport
Oikos has achieved a key milestone with the delivery of its first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) cargo. Subsequent quality control confirmed the operation was successfully completed. This marks an important step in supporting decarbonisation in the transport sector and expanding lower-carbon fuel infrastructure.
Greenaero – international expansion
Greenaero has completed its first investment in Scotland, leasing ground support equipment at Edinburgh Airport to an existing customer. While the platform has historically focused on Italian airports, this reflects a natural geographic expansion following the customer’s successful tender award. The transaction demonstrates the platform’s ability to grow alongside key clients and leverage established relationships to support international expansion.
Events and more…
Economic Infrastructure Annual Investor Meeting 2026
The Economic Infrastructure team hosted its Annual Investor Meeting and Advisory Board sessions in April at Painters’ Hall in London. The event provided an opportunity to share portfolio updates and highlight progress.
Panel discussions focused on resilience and navigating a volatile macroeconomic environment. Speakers included Paul Diggle, chief economist, alongside our investment and sustainability experts, with sessions covering macro trends, origination strategies and portfolio resilience.
The day concluded with a panel discussion on how resilience is delivered at the asset level and managed through periods of uncertainty.
Thought leadership
Building on these themes, we published a recent Insights piece – Real assets: why space and time matter more than ever – which highlights resilience as a central driver of infrastructure investment. The article explores how constraints around where energy can be delivered and how it is balanced over time are shaping asset value, reinforcing the importance of security and reliability in supporting both affordability and decarbonisation.
iPFA Panel – Helsinki
Maciej Tarasiuk participated in a panel focused on the need for a pragmatic, real‑world approach to the energy transition. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration across stakeholders to deliver projects that enhance energy security while maintaining affordability.
IPEM – Paris
We will be sponsoring the IPEM conference in Paris this September. The team looks forward to engaging with investors and discussing developments across infrastructure markets.
Contact us
If you would like to find out more, please contact one of our investment specialists below:
Dominic Helmsley, Head of Economic Infrastructure
dominic.helmsley@aberdeenplc.com
