AMP Capital has launched a new Infrastructure Debt Asia Pacific strategy to help investors from around the world capitalise on emerging growth opportunities in the region, as demand for basic infrastructure in developing economies continues to increase.

The strategy will target infrastructure mezzanine debt opportunities in both developed and developing countries in Asia Pacific. A new dedicated team based in Singapore and Sydney will leverage the experience and relationships built over the last 20 years through AMP Capital’s successful Infrastructure Debt Fund series to source attractive investment opportunities in sectors including energy, transportation, utilities, and digital infrastructure across Asia Pacific for its global investor base.

AMP Capital’s Global Head of Infrastructure Debt, Patrick Trears, commented:

“I am delighted to announce the launch of this new and exciting addition to our global infrastructure debt portfolio. The new capability to be headed up by an experienced Partner in our business, Simon La Greca, reflects both the growing interest in the asset class by investors across the world who continue to seek out stable, yield-focused opportunities in increasingly volatile market conditions, and the tremendous growth in infrastructure investment across Asia.”

AMP Capital’s Head of Infrastructure Debt Asia, Simon La Greca, said:

“Infrastructure Debt Asia will build on AMP Capital’s historic focus and provide mezzanine debt, typically used to bridge the gap between senior debt and equity funding, to both infrastructure construction projects and established businesses.

“The strategy will capitalise on our strong global relationships with infrastructure equity sponsors who are also increasingly active in the region. We recognise there is currently a funding gap for infrastructure projects in Asia, and that’s why we are making the region a key strategic priority. AMP Capital already has a strong track record in infrastructure debt across North America and Europe – the Asia strategy will form the third pillar of our global infrastructure debt business,” said Mr La Greca.

AMP Capital has already completed deals in Asia Pacific including a A$210 million (US$145 million) mezzanine debt investment with Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners to support the acquisition of one of Taiwan’s leading offshore wind farm developers, Swancor Renewable Energy Co., Ltd. The investment supports the construction of a new 376-megawatt offshore wind farm called Formosa II.

The new Infrastructure Debt Asia strategy is announced following last year’s record US$6.2 billion (A$9.6 billion) fundraise for AMP Capital’s fourth infrastructure debt strategy. Since 2001, AMP Capital’s Infrastructure debt team has invested more than US$8.8 billion in 80 assets globally.