Economic Infrastructure Newsletter Q1 2026
Explore the key Q1 developments across our economic infrastructure portfolio

Duration: 5 Mins
Date: 22 Apr 2026
“The first quarter of 2026 reflected further progress across the economic infrastructure portfolio. Our active asset management and operational delivery supported long-term value creation. Against a dynamic market backdrop, our focus on diversified lower mid-market infrastructure remains a key differentiator. During the quarter, we advanced key initiatives across our energy and environmental platforms. This included the successful renegotiation of long-term, waste-heat arrangements in Finland; continued momentum in energy-as-a-service with Auris; and on-the-ground progress across our biomethane assets in Italy. Alongside portfolio developments, the team has remained actively engaged through industry events, and we are pleased to share these updates and perspectives in this quarterly newsletter.”
Dominic Helmsley, Head of Economic Infrastructure
Investment updates
Delivering value creation in Finland: renegotiation of key waste-heat contract in Riihimäen Kaukolämpö Oy
The asset management team worked with management and senior advisers to renegotiate our waste heat agreement with the main heat supplier, an energy-to-waste facility that is situated nearby. The new 10-year agreement, starting 1 January 2027, future-proofs the business as a key source of heat for the community in the City of Riihimäki.
We see the new contract as a strong collaboration with the city and the supplier to deliver a cost-effective solution for the community.
Auris building scale in energy-as-a-service (EaaS), with two key contracts signed during the fourth quarter of 2025
Auris has been focused on the growth of its industrial EaaS segment. We are a one-stop shop engineering solution provider and developer for large industrial customers who are targeting long-term contracts with our customers. Through our strong existing relationships with the industry in Finland, we secured two material contracts in the fourth quarter of 2025, which will upscale our EaaS business and bring strong momentum in 2026.
Bionext rebrand and construction site visit
During the quarter, we launched the Bionext Infrastructure brand for our biogas and biomethane portfolio, strengthening the platform’s presence in Italy. In early March, the economic infrastructure team, together with senior adviser Vittorio Mazza, visited two sites in Bionext’s portfolio. BioEnergia and Coline Senesi, both located in Tuscany, are the most advanced plants within the portfolio in terms of converting to biomethane production. We met with the staff on-site and observed ongoing works. Most of the upgrading equipment is installed on-site and is waiting to be connected. The biological processing expansion (i.e. fermenters) is nearly complete too. Overall, both sites are expected to reach ‘first-gas’ stage in early- to mid-summer, in compliance with the biomethane decree.


Events
Infrastructure Investor Global Summit, Berlin
Aberdeen Investments’ economic infrastructure team was pleased to sponsor and attend the Infrastructure Investor Global Summit (IIGS) in Berlin during the first quarter of 2026. As the largest global infrastructure conference, the event brought together more than 3,000 fund managers, investors, advisers and industry participants. This provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with existing investors, engage with prospective partners, and strengthen relationships across the wider infrastructure investment community.
Dominic Helmsley, Head of Economic Infrastructure, represented Aberdeen Investments on a panel discussion that focused on the evolving utilities landscape. This included the importance of grid resilience in supporting Europe’s energy security and industrial competitiveness, and the emergence of new partnership models across the sector.

NatWest Sustainable Finance Conference
Ruairi Revell represented the economic infrastructure team at NatWest’s UK Sustainable Finance Day, contributing to a panel on energy security and system resilience.
The discussion focused on how affordability depends on resilience, and how durable decarbonisation depends on both. As renewable energy grows, it’s essential to coordinate investments in generation, networks, and flexibility. This helps to minimise curtailment, redispatch, and avoidable system costs.
The panel brought together views on nuclear energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS)-enabled dispatchable power, and energy-from-waste with CCS. There was also a parallel discussion about transition finance and credible ways to achieve long-term capital.

Beyond scale: rethinking the engine room of European infrastructure
Aberdeen Investments published an article in February that showcases how Europe’s infrastructure transition is increasingly being delivered in the lower mid‑market. This is where policy alignment, operational delivery and investor returns most effectively converge. The article emphasises how grid, utility, and integration assets are becoming increasingly significant. It also explains that value creation is now moving away from scale to effective execution, strong governance, and system resilience.
Read the full article here.
Team news
During the first quarter of 2026, we had a number of promotions we are proud to announce: Nicholas Flynn to Senior Investment Director; Helene Royoux to Investment Director; and Mirco Barillari to Investment Manager.

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

Maciej Tarasiuk, Head of Investments, Economic Infrastructure
maciej.tarasiuk@aberdeenplc.com


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