Igneo Infrastructure Partners launches Vertis Energy with 46MW rooftop solar acquisition
All Press releasesSydney, 28 July 2026: Igneo Infrastructure Partners (Igneo), a global infrastructure investment manager which manages A$34.5 billion worth of assets, today announced the establishment of Vertis Energy (Vertis) as its dedicated Australian distributed energy platform.
Vertis is launching with an established operating base, following the execution of binding agreements to acquire 100 per cent of Green Squares Energy as part of an acquisition package, including two immediate follow-on acquisitions, totalling 46MW of operating distributed energy assets and a pipeline of growth opportunities. Completion is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected in Q3 2026.
Igneo has appointed Jason Willoughby, former CWP Renewables and Squadron Energy executive, as Chief Executive Officer to lead Vertis.
The Vertis platform reflects Igneo’s conviction in the long-term opportunity for distributed energy infrastructure, as commercial and industrial customers seek greater control over energy costs, reliability and performance. Vertis will oversee Igneo’s existing distributed energy interests while supporting continued growth in the sector.
Daniel Timms, Partner at Igneo, said the Vertis platform combines experienced leadership, a portfolio of high-quality operating assets and Igneo’s proven track record in distributed energy investing.
“We are thrilled to appoint Jason Willoughby as CEO of Vertis Energy. Jason brings exceptional leadership and a successful track record of building energy platforms to scale.” Mr Timms said.
Vertis will build, own and operate on-site distributed energy solutions for businesses including solar, battery, heating and cooling systems, helping customers reduce exposure to price volatility, lower carbon emissions and unlock value from on-site energy assets.
Mr Willoughby said Vertis was created for businesses ready to treat energy as a strategic lever for cost control, resilience and competitiveness, enabling commercial and industrial customers to take greater control of energy at their own sites.
“Energy is no longer just a line item for facilities teams or procurement departments. For many businesses, it is becoming a much more material driver of cost certainty, resilience and competitiveness.
“Australian businesses have a major opportunity sitting at their own sites. The question is whether they continue to simply buy energy from the market or use the assets they can control to create more certainty and value over the long term.
“There is significant value sitting closer to the customer – on business rooftops, behind the meter and in the energy assets companies can control directly. Vertis is built to help businesses capture that value,” Mr Willoughby said.
Green Squares Energy is an established distributed energy platform focused on the commercial and industrial behind-the-meter sector, supported by a specialist management team. The acquisition includes 46MW of operating solar projects across 240 sites in Australia, including 34MW of behind-the-meter solar and 12MW of small utility-scale front-of-meter solar farms with co-located battery developments.
In Australia, Igneo is already active in distributed generation and renewable sectors through its investment in CPE Renewable Investment Trust, which holds a portfolio of distributed solar and battery assets, as well as providing electricity, thermal and recycled water services at the Barangaroo, Central Park, Mascot and Tonsley precincts. In addition, Igneo’s investment in Atmos Renewables includes interests in more than 1.9GW of wind, solar and energy storage assets.
Notes to Editors
Igneo Infrastructure Partners (Igneo) and Clean Peak Energy (CPE) partnered in 2019 to establish CPE Renewable Investment Unit Trust (CPERI), a dedicated investment vehicle targeting distributed energy infrastructure assets. Igneo holds a majority ownership and CPE holds a minority ownership interest in CPERI. Day-to-day operational services of CPERI are contracted to CPE on a fixed term basis. Igneo does not hold any ownership interest in Clean Peak Energy.
Igneo established Vertis Energy through its Australian Diversified Infrastructure strategy in May 2026, as its wholly owned and managed distributed energy platform. Vertis Energy is focused on onsite solar and battery solutions to help commercial and industrial businesses improve energy resilience and unlock additional value from their energy assets. Vertis Energy will also provide management and oversight of Igneo’s interest in CPERI.
About Vertis Energy
Vertis Energy is an Igneo-backed distributed energy platform helping commercial and industrial businesses take greater control of energy at their own sites. Vertis designs, funds, operates and manages onsite distributed generation solutions for businesses including solar and battery systems, with a focus on long-term performance, optimisation and lifecycle management. Subject to completion of its acquisition of Green Squares Energy, Vertis will own and operate a 46MW operating solar portfolio across 240 sites in Australia and provide management oversight for Igneo’s existing interests in Australian distributed energy assets.
About Igneo Infrastructure Partners
Igneo is an autonomous investment team in the First Sentier Group. It invests in high-quality, mature, mid-market infrastructure companies in renewables, digital infrastructure, waste management, water utilities and transportation / logistics sectors in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Operating since 1994, the team works closely with portfolio companies to create long-term sustainable value through innovation, a focus on ESG and proactive asset management.
Igneo manages US$26.1bn worth of assets as at 30 June 2026 on behalf of more than 200 investors around the world.
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