A large array of blue solar panels on a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky.

Investing in the Energy of Tomorrow

Aerial view of a commercial solar power installation featuring solar panels on the roof and white modular structures on the ground, with a clear sky and some electrical equipment.

The second wave of electrification

We’re in the middle of a fundamental shift in energy production.

In 1886, the Netherlands' first power plant opened, igniting the Second Industrial Revolution. Electricity transformed industries and households, creating unprecedented economic progress.

Now we are in the second wave of electrification.

Renewable sources, primarily solar and wind, now dominate new capacity additions. Transportation shifting from petrol to electric, industrial processes converting to electrical power, and heating and cooling transitioning away from gas.

This transformation is driving strong growth in electricity demand.

However, unlike traditional base-load generation, renewable production is intermittent and weather-dependent, creating grid instability and increased need for stabilisation services.

We aim to be a driving force behind the Dutch efforts to improve reliability of renewable power generation, to solve these issues and to ensure availability of sufficient energy for the grid all day every day.

Our Portfolio

1886 Capital targets a portfolio of 500+ MW of solar parks with 1,000+ MWh of co-located battery storage. This scale delivers material impact—providing the Dutch grid with flexible capacity equivalent to a mid-sized conventional power plant, while:

  • Delivering stable, risk-adjusted returns from multiple revenue streams.

  • Contributing tangibly to Dutch energy security and decarbonization targets.

  • Maximizing utilization of existing grid infrastructure.

We combine deep energy market expertise with institutional asset management capabilities, managing the move towards the essential combination of co-located BESS and ground-mounted solar parks for our own portfolio and institutional owners.

The energy transition requires capital, continuous innovation and hands on management. 1886 Capital delivers all three.

Areas of focus

Acquiring operational Solar Parks

Aerial view of a solar panel farm with rows of solar panels installed on a dirt lot, adjacent to green fields and brown farmland.

The solar market in The Netherlands is highly fragmented and would benefit from consolidation and economies of scale. We are creating a 500 MW+ solar park portfolio to fully capture these economies of scale.

We invest in existing solar parks and portfolios in The Netherlands with a size of 10 - 50 MWp with potential for adding co-located BESS (preferably RtB).

If you are looking to divest your operational solar park, please get in touch!

Funding Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

A large solar farm with numerous white solar containers and panels, adjacent to an array of solar panels on farmland near a body of water.

We focus on co-located BESS to make the performance of our target 500 MW+ solar park portfolio more robust and less dependent on spot energy prices.

We also invest in behind-the-meter solutions, starting at 2 MWh+, in order for industrial clients to be able to focus on and invest in their core business.

We arrange bank financing and provide equity financing for industrial clients, taking care of the complete funding of your on-site battery solution.

Managing solar production and storage assets

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The rapid change of the market landscape requires more and more hands-on operational asset management.

We provide asset management for financial institutions and other asset owners that seek professional financial, legal, and operational management of assets in their portfolio.

We are focussed on risk reduction and value maximising strategies, using the same principles for your portfolio as well as our fully owned portfolio.

Contact us

Our Founders

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Gijs Halm

Co-Founder

Bringing 20 years of experience in corporate finance, investment banking, and real assets. Gijs started his career in real estate investment banking at Van Lanschot Kempen, quickly working his way up to Managing Director of the real estate team. In this period he focussed on linking global capital to European real estate clients.

Looking for a more entrepreneurial role Gijs hereafter focused on real estate development, joining an ambitious team and working on financing and developing leading Dutch residential, office and mixed-use development.

A man in a light blue shirt and dark jeans standing outdoors in front of a red brick building with a brick wall and a cloudy sky in the background.

Bringing over 25 years of international experience in investment banking, M&A, and corporate finance with a focus on renewables.

A former Managing Director at Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Banking and current Non-Executive Board Member at fintech scale-up Figopara, he combines deep financial expertise with a global, entrepreneurial perspective shaped across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.

Co-Founder

Maarten de Zeeuw

Contact Us

Interested in working together? Get in Touch!