DIF Invests in Sustainability and Energy Solutions; Acquires Bernhard

DIF Capital Partners announced an agreement to acquire Bernhard, LLC the largest privately-owned Energy-as-a-Service solutions company in the United States, from an affiliate of Bernhard Capital Partners.

Bernhard has provided solutions to its customers' energy and infrastructure needs for more than 100 years and shifted its focus in 2014 to becoming a leading Energy-as-a-Service provider.

As part of this business model, Bernhard enters into long-term turnkey EaaS concession contracts to upgrade, retrofit and service large existing building energy facilities in order to achieve substantial energy savings. Clients are currently predominantly higher education and healthcare institutions.

"Bernhard delivers distributed energy through its unique EaaS model which provides clients access to fully integrated and efficient energy solutions, thereby significantly reducing the carbon footprint of their buildings and utility systems. Bernhard's approach fits perfectly with DIF's Public-Private Partnership expertise and ambition to invest in clean energy infrastructure solutions around the globe," said Gijs Voskuyl, Partner and Head of Investments for DIF Infrastructure VI.

"As Bernhard continues pushing to new heights in the EaaS market, we are excited to join forces with DIF Capital Partners given its extensive experience with Public-Private Partnerships, district energy, Energy-as-a-Service projects, and a shared commitment to efficiency, ESG and sustainability," said Ed Tinsley, Bernhard CEO.

With DIF's acquisition of Bernhard, the company will continue the acceleration of its market leading core EaaS business to healthcare and higher education facilities while expanding those services to other markets and geographies.