DIF V marks the firm’s sixth successful fund raising for this strategy, following the raising of DIF Infrastructure IV (2015), DIF Infrastructure III (2012), DIF Infrastructure II (2008), DIF Renewable Energy (2007) and DIF PPP (2005). Since 2005, DIF has invested in excess of 165 unique infrastructure projects within this strategy.
Wim Blaasse, Managing Partner of DIF said: “I am extremely proud of this achievement, which is a testament to the strength of the DIF platform. Over the past 13 years the team has been able to generate attractive returns for our investors by consistently investing in high quality projects, enhancing project value during our ownership through active shareholder engagement, as well as by achieving successful realisations. I am confident that we will continue to be successful in our chosen strategy, leveraging our unique global office network and dedicated local teams to complete attractive investment opportunities.”
DIF V targets equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, regulated assets and renewable energy projects which have long-term contracted or regulated income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows as well as attractive risk-adjusted returns. The fund targets both greenfield and brownfield projects in primarily Europe, North America and Australasia.
DIF V had an accelerated first close in June 2017, enabling the closing of certain pending investment opportunities, with final close occurring on the 15th of May 2018 at an increased hard-cap of €1.9 billion. DIF V has seen strong backing from both existing and new investors in the DIF platform, receiving commitments from leading institutional investors across the globe.
DIF V has committed to eight investments to date, deploying ca. 30% of the fund. This includes investments in Affinity Water, a UK regulated water asset; Autostrade per l’Italia, a large and diversified portfolio of Italian toll roads; University of Tasmania (UTAS), an Australian student housing concession; Synergy, a portfolio of utility scale wind and solar PV power projects in Australia; and American Roads, a portfolio of five US toll roads. Furthermore, the fund has a strong pipeline of investments across its target sectors and geographies, including both greenfield and brownfield projects.