DigitalBridge and Aberdeen Acquire Equans' E-Mobility Business in Netherlands
A vehicle controlled by DigitalBridge Group and Aberdeen Investments has acquired Equans' asset-based e-mobility activities in the Netherlands. The business specialises in delivering reliable, scalable, and sustainable e-mobility infrastructure. As part of the transaction, the business will be transferred to an entity controlled by DigitalBridge and Aberdeen Investments and will operate under the new name Velian. The new brand reflects its ambition to make sustainable, hassle-free charging more broadly accessible. The carve-out establishes a more focused organisation and unlocks new opportunities for growth and investment. DigitalBridge and Aberdeen Investments bring deep infrastructure expertise and a long-term commitment to sustainable value creation, building on Velian's strong capabilities, experienced team, and established client relationships. Customers will continue to benefit from the same points of contact and high-quality service, underpinned by Velian's core values of being reliable, connected, and progressive. The current management team will remain in place, supported by Aberdeen Investments and DigitalBridge to deliver on the company's growth ambitions.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on DBRG
About DBRG
About the author

- Platform Formation: DigitalBridge and JEXI's affiliates have established Nippon Gateway Infrastructure (NGI), a new colocation data center platform aimed at addressing the growing digital infrastructure needs of enterprises in Japan, marking a strategic collaboration between the two companies in the digital infrastructure sector.
- Asset Foundation: NGI launches with a foundational portfolio of high-quality data center assets acquired from NEC, covering the Greater Tokyo and Greater Osaka regions, which ensures its competitive edge in the Japanese market while NEC continues as a strategic customer, enhancing NGI's market position.
- Leadership Team: NGI has appointed a highly experienced management team, including CEO Hiroshi Ogasawara and COO Masato Hoshino, whose extensive backgrounds in technology and telecommunications will drive NGI's rapid development and increase its market influence.
- Growth Strategy: NGI intends to pursue growth through strategic acquisitions, expansion of existing facilities, and selective greenfield developments, aiming to become a leading enterprise-focused colocation data center platform in Japan to meet customers' demands for secure, reliable, and scalable digital infrastructure.
- Platform Formation: DigitalBridge Group and Japan Extensive Infrastructure, Limited have jointly established Nippon Gateway Infrastructure (NGI), a platform dedicated to meeting the growing digital infrastructure needs of enterprises in Japan, marking a strategic collaboration in the digital infrastructure sector.
- Asset Foundation: NGI launches with a foundational portfolio of high-quality data center assets acquired from NEC Corporation, covering the Greater Tokyo and Greater Osaka regions, with NEC remaining a strategic customer to ensure stability and growth potential in the market.
- Leadership Team: NGI has assembled a highly experienced management team, including CEO Hiroshi Ogasawara and COO Masato Hoshino, both bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in technology services and digital infrastructure, which is expected to drive rapid development for the company.
- Growth Strategy: NGI aims to pursue growth through strategic acquisitions, expansion of existing facilities, and selective greenfield developments, positioning itself to become a leading enterprise-focused colocation data center platform in Japan to meet customer demands for secure, reliable, and scalable digital infrastructure.
- Executive Appointments: DigitalBridge has appointed Brent Mayo as Managing Director of Investment Management for Data Centers and Nicholas Beatty as Operating Partner for Energy Transition, aiming to enhance the firm's investment capabilities in digital infrastructure and energy transition, reflecting the company's focus on these two significant trends.
- Accelerating Market Demand: Mayo noted that the demand for data centers has never been greater, and he aims to leverage his market experience and relationships to help DigitalBridge identify and execute attractive investment opportunities, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital infrastructure market.
- Electrification Strategy: Beatty will focus on electrification and energy transition strategies, particularly in renewable energy and battery storage, which is expected to provide crucial support for the company's development within the infrastructure ecosystem and further drive growth in sustainable investments.
- Extensive Industry Experience: Mayo has been involved in over $85 billion of transactions during his tenure at Newmark, while Beatty raised over £1 billion in financing activities at Zenobē Energy, bringing deep industry relationships and expertise to DigitalBridge that will support the company's future growth.
- Acquisition Overview: DigitalBridge Group is set to acquire ArcLight Capital Partners for up to $1.05 billion, which includes a base purchase price of $650 million and up to $400 million in contingent consideration, indicating the company's intent to expand in the power infrastructure sector.
- Transaction Conditions: The deal is contingent upon the completion of SoftBank Group's acquisition of DigitalBridge, which was agreed upon last December for an enterprise value of approximately $4 billion, reflecting SoftBank's long-term strategic support for DigitalBridge.
- Expected Asset Scale: The combined entity is projected to have over $150 billion in assets, significantly enhancing DigitalBridge's market position in power and infrastructure investments and providing a robust financial foundation for future growth.
- Market Impact Analysis: This acquisition is expected to not only broaden DigitalBridge's investment portfolio but also potentially enhance its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving power infrastructure market by integrating ArcLight's expertise and resources, thereby driving overall company performance improvements.

- Significant Transaction Value: DigitalBridge has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ArcLight for a total transaction value of up to $1.05 billion, which includes a base purchase price of $650 million and up to $400 million in contingent consideration, expected to significantly enhance DigitalBridge's investment capabilities in the digital infrastructure sector.
- Asset Integration Benefits: The acquisition will create a leading alternative asset management platform with combined assets exceeding $150 billion, leveraging ArcLight's expertise in power and electric infrastructure, which is anticipated to drive investments in growing demands for compute, connectivity, and power.
- Independent Operations: ArcLight will operate as a distinct business within the DigitalBridge platform, maintaining continuity in its investment processes and ensuring its commitments to limited partners remain intact, with a focus on achieving attractive risk-adjusted returns.
- Leadership Changes: Upon completion of the transaction, ArcLight's founder Daniel Revers will serve as Vice Chairman of DigitalBridge, continuing to drive the company's long-term growth strategy, while day-to-day leadership of ArcLight will remain with current Managing Partner Mr. Acconcia.
- Acquisition Overview: DigitalBridge and Aberdeen Investments have acquired Equans' e-mobility infrastructure operations in the Netherlands, aiming to enhance the accessibility of sustainable charging through the new brand Velian, which is expected to drive market growth.
- Strengthened Market Position: Velian will focus on providing a reliable and user-friendly charging network, further solidifying its leadership in the public charging market while expanding its influence in real estate and logistics charging sectors.
- Stable Management Team: The existing management team will remain in place and, supported by DigitalBridge and Aberdeen Investments, will work towards achieving the company's growth objectives, ensuring customers continue to receive high-quality service.
- Optimistic Investment Outlook: DigitalBridge and Aberdeen Investments stated that the decarbonization of e-mobility is a key infrastructure investment theme for the next decade, positioning Velian to play a critical role in driving sustainable growth.






