GLIL Infrastructure & Arcus Secure Cutting‑Edge Smart Meter Assets

GLIL & Arcus Are Plugging the UK Into the Future—One Smart Meter at a Time

GLIL Infrastructure (GLIL) and Arcus Infrastructure Partners (Arcus) just made a big move in the UK energy scene, snapping up Smart Meter Assets 1 Ltd (SMA) from BUUK Infrastructure.

Why SMA Matters

Size that matters: 5th biggest meter‑asset provider in the UK, with ~1.6 million meters already installed.
Growth plan: Targeting a roll‑out of more than 2 million smart meters across the country.
Customer skyline: The likes of OVO Energy and Utility Warehouse own the bulk of SMA’s contracts, plus most other domestic energy suppliers—about 90 % coverage right now.
Future prospects: More deals on the horizon mean higher cash flows and a more diversified client base, while strengthening ties with OVO and Utility Warehouse.

Meet the New Board Member

Katya Romashkan, GLIL’s Portfolio Manager, will now sit on SMA’s board. She said, “Smart meters are the backbone of a greener future. We’re excited to work with SMA and Arcus to deliver stable, inflation‑linked returns for our members.”

Arcus’s Take

Stefano Brugnolo, the Arcus partner in charge of the acquisition, added, “After watching Europe’s smart‑metering boom since 2015, we’re thrilled to add SMA as our second big investment in the sector. Their portfolio fits perfectly with Horizon’s opportunities and they’re leading the charge in the UK’s evolving energy landscape.”

GLIL’s Investment Track Record

Systematic diversification: From Anglian Water and Clyde Windfarm to Rock Rail’s trains and a portfolio of PPP assets.
Renewable push: Biomass and anaerobic digestion energies keep the green train going.
Key recent moves: November 2020, a 30 % stake in Agility Trains East (ATE) that owns 65 brand‑new intercity trains on the East Coast Mainline.
Partnerships: This month, GLIL became the infrastructure investment partner for the government‑established workplace pension provider Nest.

All in all, this deal is GLIL’s tenth major investment, bringing the total fund’s value to a solid £2.5 bn with backing from the Local Pensions Partnership and Northern LGPS.