Andrew Gilbert, PartnerWith the ability to quickly set the seal on fund acquisitions and complete transactions with nimbleness, ECP distinguishes itself from other players in the market. Its secret sauce is its senior team members, who utilize their extensive knowledge of different regional electric grids, regulatory systems and market players to spot and seize new opportunities.
The firm has already made investments in top-notch energy generation plants, including a $17 billion take-private acquisition of one of the largest renewable and natural gas generators in the U.S., Calpine. ECP is now one of the largest private owners of U.S. power generation and renewable and energy storage capacity.
ECP operates uniquely in the market. It acts as a point of contact between infrastructure investors and the energy generation landscape to develop and execute strategic investment plans. Collaborating with the management teams, they benchmark and efficiently manage energy generation plant assets to manage commodity price volatility and improve operations.
In addition, through an approach developed over 17 years, ECP focuses on delivering operational alpha, growing EBITDA, risk management (including a hands-on approach to commercial optimization), and growth opportunities like developing power generation, renewables, and storage assets across all major U.S. power markets.
They are able to achieve these because they own and operate different types of assets—power generation, renewables, storage, and energy efficiency—all consolidated by the same output: electricity. Such a granular understanding of the electricity market takes years to develop, which newer investors in the sector typically lack.
“Our comprehensive experience in managing hedging, fuel purchases, contract structuring, utility relationships, operations and maintenance schedules, regulatory issues, permitting, and environmental standards allow us to pursue various means to successfully operate assets,” says Andrew Gilbert, partner at ECP.
From the energy market standpoint, management teams also require help navigating an evolving regulatory environment and changing market dynamics while introducing advanced renewables (carbon capture, biofuels and batteries). Retirements of uneconomic plants and an environment of rising prices must be simultaneously kept under check. ECP keeps track of these trends and volatilities, and helps energy plants hedge and de-risk their business models through an incremental investment for the new energy commodities.
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ECP operates uniquely in the market. It acts as a point of contact between infrastructure investors and the energy generation landscape to develop and execute strategic investment plans
Its development opportunities include increasing generating capacity or options around carbon capture, hydrogen, and on-site batteries. Community solar is one such example. It is a great way to increase access to the economic benefits of solar energy at a much lower cost. ECP has helped fund community solar projects with an overarching view of reducing energy costs in underserved regions.
Sustainable energy and power storage facilities are other areas of prime interest for ECP. The company has found investors for multiple innovative energy storage facilities offering clean energy throughout the year.
Decades of industry experience give ECP an early-mover advantage. The company will continue its mission and carry out some of the most innovative transactions in the power generation space, driven by its enduring sourcing networks and strong industry relationships.
