Global financial services group Macquarie announced today plans for £20 billion in infrastructure-focused investments in the UK, encompassing energy transition-focused areas such as EV charging and renewable energy, in addition to digital infrastructure and other areas.
Among the key infrastructure investments highlighted by the firm as part of its announcement was a plan to roll out a network of fast-charging electric vehicle infrastructure across the UK through Macquarie’s portfolio company Roadchef. Macquarie acquired motorway service area operator Roadchef in 2022, stating at the time that it would help the company to accelerate the rollout of fast-charging infrastructure for EVs.
With its new investment plans, Roadchef will install around 650 fast-charging points across most of its sites, with the new facilities partly powered by 9 MW of new solar energy capacity installed on-site.
Additional energy transition-focused investments outlined by Macquarie as part of its £20 billion infrastructure package included 5GW of new offshore wind developments, the development of new solar power and battery energy storage projects, including the UK’s largest new solar project in Nottinghamshire by Island Green Power, and support for high potential companies in areas such as wind farm performance analytics and smart metering.
Macquarie also said that it aims to invest in upgrading digital infrastructure, investing in the UK gas transmission network, creating new homes, supporting the building of a new reservoir and the upgrading of essential water and wastewater infrastructure.
Shemara Wikramanayake, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group, said:
“We believe that infrastructure investment helps create strong foundations for economic growth, job creation, better services for the public and stronger communities. We are fully invested in the UK’s success and look forward to playing our part in delivering the investment the country needs.”