Renewable energy has moved from the margins of European policy to the centre of its economic architecture. The European Green Deal and the “Fit for 55” legislative package have embedded into law the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. Energy security concerns, amplified by geopolitical instability and wholesale price volatility, have reinforced the strategic case for domestic generation and electrification. The pace of deployment reflects this shift: Europe added more than 56 gigawatts of new solar capacity in 2023 alone, confirming that renewables have matured into a mainstream infrastructure asset class capable of absorbing significant institutional capital.
It was in this context that Giuseppe La Loggia joined EOS Investment Management Group in December 2018 as Senior Partner, assuming responsibility for leading the Clean Energy Infrastructure division. Based in London, where EOS IM operates its FCA-authorised investment management platform, he was tasked with repositioning the firm’s sustainable infrastructure strategy towards large-scale, unsubsidised renewable energy assets. The focus was on Southern Europe, primarily Italy and Spain, markets that combine strong resource fundamentals with evolving regulatory frameworks and growing demand for privately financed energy transition projects.
The launch and scaling of the EOS Renewable Infrastructure Fund II provided the institutional foundation for this strategy. Structured as a Luxembourg RAIF, the fund closed at approximately €293 million, exceeding its original €250 million target and attracting a diversified investor base spanning pension funds, banks, insurers, and family offices. Its distinguishing feature was a greenfield, grid-parity orientation: rather than relying solely on legacy feed-in tariffs, the fund targeted utility-scale solar projects capable of operating on merchant economics or under private power purchase agreements. Execution depended on rigorous site selection, permitting discipline, construction oversight, and careful capital structuring to ensure bankability.
By 2021 and 2022, this strategy translated into tangible projects. In Lazio, EOS IM, together with Capital Dynamics, acquired the rights to develop one of the largest unsubsidised solar clusters in central Italy, comprising three photovoltaic sites with a combined capacity of approximately 87 megawatts. The programme advanced into construction with long-term green financing from leading European banks, supported by SACE’s Green Guarantee scheme. The transaction demonstrated that unsubsidised Italian solar projects could attract institutional-grade debt with extended tenors, marking an important milestone in the evolution of grid-parity infrastructure finance in the country.
Parallel expansion took place in Sardinia and other southern regions. In 2023, EOS IM completed the acquisition of a 42-megawatt unsubsidised photovoltaic plant in Sardinia, one of the island’s larger grid-parity solar assets. Designed to generate more than 80 gigawatt-hours annually, sufficient to power tens of thousands of households, the project was structured with provisions for future battery storage integration, reflecting a forward-looking approach to grid stability and operational optimisation. By that stage, the Fund’s Italian portfolio included a combination of operational plants, construction-stage assets, and advanced development projects, creating a scalable cluster model rather than isolated installations.
Further acquisitions in Lazio deepened EOS IM’s footprint, expanding the pipeline of permitted and late-stage development projects and reinforcing its presence in central Italy. The emphasis was not solely on capacity growth, but on assembling geographically coherent portfolios that could benefit from shared infrastructure, streamlined permitting management, and coordinated construction oversight. Financing structures ranged from project-level green loans to cross-border facilities at the holding level, illustrating how private equity capital, commercial bank debt, and public credit support mechanisms could be integrated to lower the cost of capital and enhance resilience.
It was on this established base that EOS IM agreed to acquire a 294-megawatt Italian solar portfolio from Lightsource bp, comprising projects that are permitted or in advanced stages of development. Market commentary described the transaction as one of the more significant renewable deals completed in Italy at the time. The acquisition materially expanded the platform’s construction-ready capacity. It underscored its ability to convert the development pipeline into bankable, scalable assets.
Concurrently, EOS IM entered the Spanish market by integrating operating photovoltaic plants under long-term power purchase agreements. This move introduced geographic diversification and complemented merchant exposure in Italy with contracted revenue streams, strengthening the overall portfolio’s risk profile. The deliberate combination of development upside, stabilised assets, and diversified revenue mechanisms reflected a mature infrastructure investment philosophy.
Throughout this period, financial structuring remained central to execution. Green loans, project finance facilities, and institutional capital structures were employed not as ancillary features but as core strategic tools. Environmental and social considerations were incorporated into investment criteria, particularly in agricultural regions where land use and community impact required careful engagement. Portfolio construction, therefore, operated at the intersection of regulatory compliance, carbon-reduction objectives, and risk-adjusted return thresholds.
Since 2018, EOS IM’s Sustainable Infrastructure Investment strategy under La Loggia’s leadership has mirrored the broader transformation of European renewable infrastructure finance. What was once viewed solely as policy-dependent has evolved into a sector defined by disciplined underwriting, sophisticated investment strategy, project contract structuring, portfolio strategies, and increasingly sophisticated capital structures. The platform’s growth illustrates how private capital can align with national decarbonisation agendas while delivering institutional-grade returns. In tracing this phase of his career, La Loggia’s professional trajectory reflects not only the expansion of a firm but also the consolidation of renewable energy at the heart of Europe’s economic and financial strategy.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. The information presented is based on publicly available sources and is not intended to constitute professional, financial, legal, or investment advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek professional guidance where appropriate.
