Nuveen Takes Majority Stake in Ally Energy Solutions to Accelerate U.S. Decarbonization

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  • Nuveen’s Private Equity Impact team acquires majority stake in Ally Energy Solutions, its sixth deal under Climate Inclusion Fund II.
  • Ally has delivered more than 1,000 C&I energy projects, avoiding 578,000 tons of CO₂ and saving clients $276 million.
  • The deal reflects rising demand for distributed energy and electrification as U.S. industry and data centers scale.

New Capital for Expanding Energy Transition Services

Nuveen has acquired a majority interest in Ally Energy Solutions, a U.S. provider of turnkey power and efficiency upgrades for commercial and industrial customers. The deal, executed through Nuveen’s Private Equity Impact team, is the sixth investment from its Climate Inclusion Fund II and advances the firm’s dual mandate of climate action and inclusive growth.

Nuveen’s climate inclusion strategy targets companies that can both accelerate decarbonization and widen access to low-carbon solutions. For investors, the firm frames the approach as a blend of financial return and measurable impact, citing the growing market for distributed clean energy resources and grid-relevant efficiency gains.

Ally’s Role in the Industrial Energy Transition

Founded in 2014, Ally Energy Solutions specializes in complex, multi-site projects for Fortune 500 and large industrial clients. Its services include distributed generation, power factor correction, backup power systems, infrastructure upgrades, and energy efficiency retrofits.

The company has executed more than 1,000 projects nationwide, delivering reductions in peak grid demand of 60 MW and generating $55 million in cash credits alongside substantial customer savings. To date, the firm estimates its work has avoided nearly 578,000 tons of carbon emissions.

Nuveen’s investment will accelerate our next phase of growth and impact,” said incoming Chief Executive Officer Brian Walterbach.Our national implementation capability has positioned Ally as a preferred long-term partner for clients seeking scalable energy upgrades that cut costs and emissions.”

Walterbach, who previously led operations and sales, succeeds co-founder Shane Mathis, who will remain with the company as Chief Strategic Officer.

Investor Lens: Scaling Demand for Clean Power

For Nuveen, the acquisition reflects structural demand shifts across U.S. industry. Electrification, data centers, and advanced manufacturing are fueling demand for resilient electrical infrastructure.

Ally’s impressive results and growth to-date align well with our goal of providing clean, resilient power to mission-critical C&I end users,” said Ted Maa, Managing Director of Private Equity Impact at Nuveen. We’re thrilled to partner with management in this next phase of growth.”

Ted Maa, Managing Director of Private Equity Impact at Nuveen

The deal also deepens Nuveen’s track record in deploying capital toward measurable outcomes. As of June 30, 2025, the firm reports $24.1 billion in direct impact holdings across asset classes, spanning climate, housing, and community development.

RELATED ARTICLE: Nuveen Strengthens Impact Investing with Appointment of Ted Maa

Strategic Significance for C&I Energy Users

The acquisition comes at a time when U.S. industrials face escalating energy costs, reliability risks, and regulatory pressure to decarbonize. Ally’s integrated model positions it as a strategic partner for corporations balancing ESG commitments with operational resilience.

For investors, the deal highlights the growth potential in specialized energy services that can deliver both emissions reduction and cost savings. It also reflects the broader trend of private equity funds using climate-focused vehicles to expand market access while maintaining commercial performance.

Broader Market Context

Nuveen’s Climate Inclusion Fund II focuses on businesses that address both climate change and inequality, recognizing that energy modernization can either widen or close access gaps. By backing Ally, Nuveen is betting on the scalability of distributed power solutions that can reach diverse customer segments beyond traditional utility-scale models.

Advisors on the transaction included Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for Nuveen, and FMI Capital Advisors with Dentons US LLP for Ally.

Global Implications

The transaction resonates beyond the U.S. market. Industrial decarbonization is a critical bottleneck in achieving global net zero goals, with heavy demand sectors accounting for more than 40% of global energy use. The scaling of service providers like Ally illustrates how private capital is being directed into infrastructure-adjacent businesses capable of delivering immediate emissions reductions at scale.

For executives and investors tracking the sector, the deal reflects where opportunity and necessity converge: capital is flowing into firms that can manage the twin challenges of resilience and emissions, while serving clients under pressure to meet tightening ESG and regulatory benchmarks.

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