The Carlyle Group, Schneider Electric form new partnership

Schneider Electric and private equity firm The Carlyle Group announced plans to work together to develop new energy infrastructure projects.

The partnership will offer innovative and efficient solutions to several major projects that The Carlyle Group is invested in, including the JFK Airport Terminal One Redevelopment, the Lone Star Ports Harbor Island Crude Export Terminal, and the Munich Airport Joint Venture.

Schneider Electric, an energy management and automation company, will apply its capabilities in advanced connectivity to these and future Carlyle infrastructure and microgrid investments.

For example, the JFK Airport Terminal One Redevelopment will leverage Schneider’s solutions to improve the sustainability of the terminal and enhance the reliability of the airport’s energy supply through a microgrid. The project is expected to reduce energy use by as much as 30 percent and contribute to a goal of 100 percent renewable energy usage within the next decade.

Through the partnership, a joint venture named AlphaStruxure has been formed. AlphaStruxure is a design and engineering unit that will be led by Juan Macias, formerly SVP of Energy Automation and Digital Energy Solutions at Schneider Electric, who was recently named CEO.

The Carlyle Group said private sector partnerships like this can bring new solutions to upgrade critical infrastructure within airports, seaports, water treatment and delivery, institutions, communities, and private sector.

“People everywhere rely daily on infrastructure that does not meet the demands of a 21st-century economy,” Andrew Marino, managing director and co-head of Carlyle’s global infrastructure team, said. “AlphaStruxure delivers a powerful combination of cutting-edge automation and energy management technology and expertise and financing solutions to turn this important global issue on its head. Together, we will identify new investment opportunities, modernize core infrastructure to keep people and goods moving and open new value and revenue streams for both public and private entities. We look forward to a prominent role in shaping the future of infrastructure around the world.”

Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman and CEO of Schneider Electric, said they are just scratching the surface of the investment needed to create more modern airports, water systems, transportation systems, and other critical infrastructure.

“While infrastructure is a global issue, it can only be addressed at a local level. We believe our partnership leverages the best of our organizations’ abilities: Carlyle’s ability to get deals done with local stakeholders support and our global technology expertise and footprint to optimize projects that will provide immediate, tangible impact for economies globally,” Tricoire said.