Aquila Clean Energy

What Aquila Clean Energy does

Aquila Clean Energy EMEA is the European clean energy platform of Aquila Group, operating as a fully-fledged independent power producer (IPP) with strategic focus on utility-scale solar PV, onshore wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) across 13 European countries. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Hamburg, the company manages the full project lifecycle — greenfield site sourcing, permitting, procurement, project finance, construction oversight, and long-term asset operations — supported by local teams in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany. As of late 2025 it had brought over 3 GW into commercial operation with a 13 GW pipeline under development and construction, including 4.5 GW of BESS.

The company employs approximately 200 staff of 27 nationalities in local European offices (part of a ~700-person parent group), led by a recently refreshed executive team including CEO Andrew Wojtek (ex-Macquarie Capital), CFO Dorothee Privat, and COO Marc Lohoff (ex-Sonnedix, Siemens, Infineon). Its technology stack relies on tier-1 OEM partners — Trina Solar for PV modules, Trina Storage for LFP battery cells (free of nickel and cobalt), Nordex for wind turbines, INTILION and Wärtsilä for storage systems, and H&MV Engineering for high-voltage grid connections — combined with in-house power market management capabilities for PPA structuring, hedging, and revenue optimisation across a multi-technology, multi-regional portfolio.

Aquila Clean Energy generates revenue through three principal streams: (1) long-term recurring electricity sales from operating generation assets, either under PPAs with utilities (e.g., Holaluz in Spain, Eesti Energia in the Baltics) or at merchant wholesale prices; (2) one-off project development and divestiture income from build-to-sell transactions, demonstrated by the sale of an 80 MW/318 MWh Spanish BESS portfolio to Return Energy and a 50 MW/100 MWh Lithuanian BESS project to Energy Gates; and (3) capital structuring and asset management fees for third-party institutional investors via sister entity Aquila Capital, which manages EUR 15 billion in AUM under the parent group. Distribution is direct B2B, with bespoke PPA negotiation and capital structuring; the company secured a landmark EUR 1 billion construction facility in 2022 with EIB (InvestEU) and seven commercial banks to fund a 2.6 GW Iberian pipeline. Pricing is project-specific and not publicly disclosed.

Name

Aquila Clean Energy

Legal name

Aquila Clean Energy GmbH

Website

https://aquila-clean-energy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Aquila Clean Energy EMEA is a Hamburg-based independent power producer that develops, finances, builds, and operates utility-scale solar PV, onshore wind, and battery storage projects across 13 European countries, generating revenue through long-term PPAs, project divestitures, and capital structuring for institutional investors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Power Production (Renewable Energy)

NAICS

Electric Power Generation (22111), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Wind Electric Power Generation (221115)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Project Development & IPP (Utility-Scale & Rooftop) (EUAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Project Finance & Capital Structuring (Debt/Tax Equity/Project Bonds) (EUAMAAAD), Permitting, Environmental & Stakeholder Engagement (EIA/ESIA, Community Relations) (EUAMAAAB), Incentives, Grants & Program Administration (Auctions, Tenders, IRA/ITC/PTC Advisory) (EUAMAAAJ)

Keywords

• Renewable energy development
• Independent power production
• Solar PV projects
• Onshore wind energy
• Battery energy storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Humberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Clean energy generation and sale: Aquila Clean Energy develops, constructs, and operates solar PV, wind, and BESS assets. Revenue is generated by selling electricity produced by operating assets, either under long-term PPAs (providing revenue certainty) or at merchant prices on wholesale electricity markets. The company also hybridises projects (co-locating generation with storage) to optimise grid connection and produce more stable generation profiles.
2. Asset development and divestiture: The company develops greenfield projects and, once key milestones are secured (Ready-to-Build status), may divest assets to other investors. Aquila Clean Energy sold a 50 MW/100 MWh BESS project in Lithuania to Energy Gates and an 80MW/318MWh BESS portfolio in Spain to Return Energy, demonstrating a build-and-sell or build-to-sell development model alongside its long-term ownership strategy.
3. Capital structuring and fund management: Aquila Clean Energy structures capital across the full investment spectrum — development capital, construction equity, and long-term hold — for its own portfolio and for third-party investors managed under Aquila Capital. This includes arranging large construction facilities (e.g., EUR 1 billion facility for Southern European projects) with commercial banks and the EIB, generating fee income from structuring and asset management.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Aquila Clean Energy EMEA is a fully fledged independent power producer (IPP) that develops, finances, constructs, and operates utility-scale solar PV, onshore wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) across 13 European countries. The company manages the full project lifecycle from greenfield site sourcing and permitting through procurement, project finance, construction oversight, and long-term asset operations, selling electricity under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with utilities and energy companies and structuring capital for institutional investors across development, construction, and operational phases.

Product overview

Aquila Clean Energy EMEA is a fully fledged independent power producer (IPP) focused on solar PV, onshore wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) across core European markets. The company operates an integrated platform covering the full project lifecycle — greenfield development, permitting, procurement, project finance, construction oversight, operational asset management, and market risk management. Its portfolio spans both utility-scale generation assets and flexible storage assets, managed through a local-on-the-ground approach across multiple countries. The company also embeds sustainability and community engagement as integral value-adding modules throughout project delivery, alongside power market management services for portfolio optimisation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar PV Development & Operations Utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) project development, construction, and long-term operation across Europe. Covers the full lifecycle from greenfield site sourcing through permitting, procurement, project finance, construction, and asset management, with electricity sold under long-term PPAs and to wholesale markets. Co-located with BESS where grid stability and market opportunity warrant.
• Onshore Wind Development & Operations Utility-scale onshore wind energy project development, construction, and operation across Europe. Leverages local expertise for site selection, turbine supply (e.g., Nordex N163/5.X turbines), grid connection, and power offtake, with assets sold under long-term PPAs (e.g., 1.8 TWh PPA with Eesti Energia/Enefit Green from a Lithuanian wind farm).
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) development, construction, and operation, deployed both as co-located storage with solar PV/wind and as standalone assets. Provides grid balancing, ancillary services, and wholesale market optimization. Portfolio spans two-hour duration systems and four-hour duration systems (one of the first EU four-hour BESS units), using LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery cell chemistry.
• Asset Development & Divestiture (Build-to-Sell) Sale of ready-to-build and operational clean energy assets to strategic buyers, including utility-scale BESS portfolios. Examples include the 80 MW/318 MWh BESS portfolio in Catalonia and Asturias sold to Return Energy and the 50 MW/100 MWh ready-to-build BESS project in Lithuania sold to Energy Gates. Transactions are negotiated directly with strategic acquirers.
• Capital Structuring & Asset Management for Institutional Investors Arrangement of development capital, construction equity, and long-term hold capital for clean energy assets across the investment lifecycle, alongside asset management services delivered through Aquila Capital on behalf of institutional investors. Includes arranging large construction facilities (e.g., EUR 1 billion facility with EIB and seven commercial banks) and ongoing portfolio asset management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3 GW of clean energy capacity brought into commercial operation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Talento 58 FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2025Aquila Clean Energy signed a business collaboration agreement with the Talento 58 Foundation to promote employment and entrepreneurship in regions where it operates in Spain (e.g., Valladolid and Almería solar projects).
• H&MV Engineering (Germany BESS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 19 November 2024H&MV Engineering managed construction including high-voltage grid connections for Aquila Clean Energy's Wetzen BESS project in Lower Saxony, Germany (56 MW / 112 MWh), following the same role on the Strübbel project.
• Trina StoragecoreTechnology or Integration · 26 August 2024Trina Storage (business unit of Trinasolar) supplies proprietary LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery cells as part of its Elementa battery energy storage system for Aquila Clean Energy's Strübbel BESS project in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (50 MW / 100 MWh). Trina Storage is a leading global provider of vertically integrated energy storage solutions.
• H&MV EngineeringcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 26 August 2024H&MV Engineering (Irish company with 1,100 employees and a Frankfurt am Main branch) handles planning and construction of high-voltage grid connections for Aquila Clean Energy's BESS projects in Germany, including the Strübbel project, up to 380 kV.
• Nordex GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Aquila Clean Energy secured the supply and installation of up to 45 N163/5.X steel tower turbines (108m high, 5.X MW capacity each) from Nordex Group for a cluster of 8 wind projects with a total capacity of 265 MW in the provinces of Granada and Almería, Spain. These projects will supply renewable energy to over 192,000 homes annually and avoid 189,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
• Øyfjellet Wind Park Community (Norway)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Aquila Clean Energy supported the restoration of Helgelandstrappa — Norway's longest staircase with around 3,000 steps — near its Øyfjellet wind park. The restoration was carried out by Nepalese Sherpas known for mountain trail construction.
• INTILIONcoreTechnology or Integration · 14 December 2023INTILION supplied the battery storage system for the Ammerland II co-location project in Lower Saxony, Germany (3.2 MW / 6.9 MWh BESS co-located with an 8.2 MWp solar park). Aquila Clean Energy was responsible for development, design, and construction of the entire project.
• Trina SolarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2023Aquila Clean Energy signed a framework agreement with Trina Solar for the supply of 800 MW of photovoltaic modules for projects in Southern Europe (2023–2024 delivery). The agreement opens potential for expanded collaboration including BESS by Trina Storage, TrinaPro solar trackers by Trina Tracker, and extension to additional markets, potentially forming a long-term strategic partnership.
• GREFA (Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2023Aquila Clean Energy and GREFA signed a collaborative agreement for an 'Iberian Harrier Conservation Campaign in the Sagra Madrileña-Toledana'. This follows a prior agreement in which Aquila sponsored two imperial eagles fitted with geolocation systems for monitoring and conservation.
• Nippon Koei Energy Europe (NKEE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2023Aquila Clean Energy and NKEE co-developed and co-own the 25 MW / 100 MWh Kairos BESS in Ruien, Belgium — one of the largest BESS units connected to the Belgian HV grid and one of the first four-hour duration BESS units in the EU. NKEE delivered the project via a full-wrap EPC with support from SPIE and Wärtsilä.
• University of Lisbon (Faculty of Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Aquila Clean Energy signed a partnership with the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon to conduct a detailed study on the impacts of its solar PV plant in Cercal on local biodiversity and soil quality. The study supports the development of an agrivoltaic concept in partnership with the University of Évora.
• University of ÉvoraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Aquila Clean Energy is developing an agrivoltaic concept combining agricultural practices with solar electricity production at its Cercal site via an R&D partnership agreement with the University of Évora, in conjunction with the University of Lisbon study.
• Local authorities in Tabernas, SpainminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Aquila Clean Energy collaborates with local Spanish authorities to support the restoration of the Castillo de Tabernas (11th-century fortress ruins) near its La Cabrita solar PV park in the Tabernas Desert.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Enel Green Power: Global renewable IPP and subsidiary of Enel Group, operating utility-scale solar, wind, and storage across Europe and globally. Directly comparable as a European multi-technology renewable IPP with a similar mix of solar, onshore wind, and BESS, though at much larger scale.
• EDP Renováveis (EDPR): Major Iberian-rooted renewable IPP and one of the largest wind/solar developers globally. Comparable as a multi-technology European IPP with heavy Iberian concentration and exposure to BESS growth, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Iberdrola Renovables: Renewable arm of Iberdrola, one of the world's largest utility-scale renewable developers with strong Spanish and European presence. Comparable as a multi-technology (solar, wind, BESS) IPP competing in many of the same Iberian and European markets as Aquila.
• RWE Renewables: Renewable energy division of RWE, operating utility-scale wind, solar, and BESS across Europe. Comparable as a large multi-technology European renewable developer with strong project pipeline and storage ambitions.
• Statkraft: Norwegian state-owned renewable IPP and Europe's largest generator of renewable energy. Comparable as a European multi-technology IPP with wind, hydro, solar, and BESS exposure across Nordic and broader European markets.
• Acciona Energía: Spanish-listed pure-play renewable IPP with significant wind and solar generation across Iberia and international markets. Comparable as a multi-technology European IPP with Iberian concentration and growing BESS activities.
• Vattenfall: Swedish state-owned utility with growing European renewable generation portfolio across wind, solar, and BESS. Comparable as a multi-technology European IPP competing in Northern European and German markets where Aquila has significant presence.

Direct peers

• Encavis: German-based solar and wind IPP acquiring and operating utility-scale renewable assets across Europe. Closely comparable mid-cap European IPP with similar geographic spread and operational asset management model, though less focused on BESS and greenfield development.
• BayWa r.e. European developer, service provider, and IPP for solar, wind, and BESS projects across Europe. Comparable as a mid-sized European multi-technology renewable developer with project development, EPC services, and asset operations.
• Sonnedix: Global solar IPP with significant European footprint, formerly led by Aquila's current COO. Closely comparable as a European-headquartered solar-focused IPP with similar operational model and scale, providing a near-direct precedent for Aquila's growth trajectory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aquila-capital
• Xx.com/aquilacapital

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aquila Clean Energy