Octopus Energy Group Launches £165 Million Clean Energy Fund for Pension Schemes

Image Credit: Octopus Energy

Through its fund management arm, Octopus Energy Generation, Octopus Energy Group has unveiled a game-changing fund that offers pension schemes and private wealth investors an easy and flexible route into the global energy transition.

The CG Octopus Energy Sustainable Growth Fund I, known as Astris, provides access to a diverse portfolio of over 50 renewable energy projects across 15 countries. This includes high-impact wind, solar, and large-scale battery projects that are part of the drive toward net-zero emissions.

Astris was launched with a significant cornerstone investment of £165 million (€194 million) and is now available to a wide range of investors, including pension schemes and private wealth, via leading investment platforms. Unlike most traditional private market funds, Astris provides investors with monthly access, offering a unique opportunity to invest alongside some of the world’s largest and most respected institutional investors.

With Astris, investors can participate in the technologies powering the journey to net zero while maintaining a healthy financial return. The fund has already earned the FCA’s new ‘Sustainable Focus’ label, meeting the highest standards for green investing.

Octopus Energy has a proven track record in green energy. It already manages £7 billion worth of renewable projects and powers over 2.4 million homes annually. To further accelerate the green transition, it is poised to deploy £20 billion (€23 billion) by 2030.

About Octopus Energy Generation:

Octopus Energy Generation is leading the charge in the renewable energy sector, propelling the world toward a cleaner, greener future. As one of Europe’s most prominent specialists in renewables investment, Octopus manages 3.7 GW of green energy projects, including wind and solar farms across 15 countries, with a value of £7 billion ($9 billion/€8.5 billion). These projects generate enough green electricity to power 2.4 million homes annually, removing over 1 million petrol cars from the roads.

The company is redefining the energy landscape with innovative, tech-driven solutions that reshape how we think about energy. By creating cost-effective products and fostering the net-zero economy, Octopus makes it easier for customers to engage in the energy transition. A prime example is ‘The Collective’, the UK’s first FCA-regulated investment platform launched by an energy supplier. It enables individuals to directly invest in renewable energy projects, such as wind turbines and solar farms, from as little as £25. Demand for these investments has been overwhelming, with the first two projects’ shares selling out within just six days, highlighting a strong desire for involvement in the clean energy movement.

About Carne Group:

Carne Group is the trusted partner for those managing money. Established in 2004, Carne is now Europe’s largest independent third-party management company, providing full governance support across the fund's lifecycle. With over two decades of digital expertise, Carne’s dedicated team ensures the smooth operation of funds, offering peace of mind to clients and investors alike.

Serving around 650 clients, including boutique firms and some of the world’s largest fund managers, Carne supports funds in over 160 countries, managing assets exceeding $2 trillion. With a workforce of over 600 professionals across eight global offices, Carne continues simplifying and strengthening fund operations for its clients.

Matt Setchell, Co-Head of Octopus Energy Generation, said: “For too long, pension schemes and private wealth have had limited investment opportunities in private markets due to a lack of innovative solutions. The launch of this fund changes that. 

“It’s been built from the ground up to remove the structural barriers for investors wishing to participate in the $275 trillion generational investment opportunity*** to fund the energy transition and invest alongside professional investors and institutional funds from around the world. Day one investors will own a globally diverse portfolio of renewable projects and companies, delivering genuine impact with no compromise on financial returns. 

“At Octopus, we’re always looking for new ways to give investors the chance to actively invest in the shift to clean, green energy, and we couldn’t be prouder to be at the leading charge with transformational funds like Astris.”

Jeremy Soutter, Managing Director at Carne Group, responsible for overseeing the fund’s governance, commented: “Carne is delighted to be acting as independent authorised corporate director on Octopus Energy’s new Sustainable Growth Fund. 

“At a time of heightened attention on the UK’s role within the global green transition and investment in the productive assets at the forefront of this change, the fund is an important enabler of private wealth and pension fund exposure both to private infrastructure as an asset class and to the energy transition as an investment opportunity. 

“As the partner of choice for bringing innovative private markets products to market, we believe our partnership with Octopus exemplifies the benefits of collaboration in facilitating this innovation and delivering best-in-class fund management processes for end investors.”