Macquarie is an investment banking and securities trading specialist based in Sydney, Australia. Macquarie is also an umbrella company of the service station operator Roadchef, which operates 21 sites on British motorways. The aforementioned 650 fast-charging stations will be built at these sites in collaboration with partners, some of which are solar-powered. In addition, charging for heavy goods vehicles is to be trialled at two key locations, and 100 additional parking spaces for electric trucks are to be set up. There are already charging stations at Roadchef. However, some of the facilities are getting on in years.
“The upgrade of Roadchef sites is our latest in a long line of investments in UK infrastructure, and we have plans to invest more,” said Shemara Wikramanayake, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Macquarie Group. “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.”
Roadchef’s plans are part of a £20bn package of new investments by Macquarie in the UK across energy, utilities, transport, waste and digital infrastructure. More specifically, it includes new offshore wind farms, solar energy and battery storage projects, modernisation of distribution networks and a financial contribution to the construction of the UK’s first reservoir in 30 years.