Hamburg, 18 November 2024 – Aquila Capital, an asset manager specialising in sustainable real asset investments, has advised Avadis Anlagestiftung with its investment group Avadis Anlagestiftung Clean Energy Infrastruktur on an investment in Switzerland’s largest battery storage facility. The construction of the pioneering project in Bonaduz in the canton of Graubünden will start at the beginning of 2026. Avadis Anlagestiftung will be the owner of the facility, while the Swiss company 49Komma8 AG will oversee the development, construction and implementation of the project. In addition, Aquila Clean Energy EMEA, a sister company of Aquila Capital, will support the project in the development, construction and operation phases with its extensive expertise in the battery segment.
The plant is being constructed on a 5,500 sqm industrial site and is located close to a substation, which ensures a reliable connection to the national electricity grid. With an output of 50 to 60 megawatts (MW) and a capacity of 100 to 120 megawatt hours (MWh), the facility is set to store surplus energy and to supply energy back into the Swiss electricity grid during periods of high demand starting in 2027.
Markus Wandt, Chief Investment Officer at Aquila Capital, commented: “A Swiss foundation investing in a Swiss battery project is an excellent strategic partnership. It also complements the clean energy investment portfolio of pension funds. The planned project is of a considerable scale and is set to establish new standards for energy storage in Switzerland. This kind of battery storage system plays a key role in the energy transition, which is why Aquila Capital has significantly increased its investments in this segment. The consistently growing demand for storage solutions presents a significant market opportunity for investors. The investment was realised in particular thanks to the partnership with our sister company Aquila Clean Energy EMEA, which played a major role in implementing the project.”
The battery storage facility in Bonaduz will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050, which outlines the planned transition away from nuclear energy and the objective of climate neutrality. The storage facility provides a flexible reserve for integrating renewable energy sources into the electricity supply. Its high responsiveness and efficiency ensure grid stability even when generation and demand fluctuate.