Simon Benezra
Head of Investment, VoltWatt
Investment Expertise
- • Infrastructure investment strategy
- • M&A transactions and due diligence
- • Project finance structuring
- • Private equity and venture capital
Investment Leadership
As Head of Investment at VoltWatt, Simon oversees all our financial and investment transactions related to projects as well as M&A operations in Europe, guiding our strategic choices. With over 20 years of international experience in infrastructure investment and corporate finance, Simon actively contributes to the rapid growth of the energy sector.
Professional Background
Before joining VoltWatt, Simon held several leadership positions in major financial institutions as well as solar manufacturer OPENAX as Senior Global Infrastructure Analyst. He has extensive experience across private equity and renewable energy sectors including photovoltaic, energy storage, onshore and offshore wind. His deep understanding of infrastructure markets and financial structuring has been instrumental in executing complex cross-border transactions.
Investment Strategy
Deal Origination
Leading the identification and evaluation of high-value renewable energy investment opportunities across Europe, with a focus on solar, wind, and storage projects offering 12-18% IRR.
M&A Excellence
Executing strategic acquisitions and partnerships that accelerate VoltWatt's growth, having completed 15+ transactions in renewable energy assets across European markets.
Investment Philosophy
"Successful renewable energy investment requires a perfect balance between financial returns and environmental impact. At VoltWatt, we focus on projects that deliver strong IRRs while accelerating the energy transition. Every investment decision is guided by rigorous analysis, strategic vision, and long-term value creation for all stakeholders."
Key Achievements
- • 20+ years of international infrastructure investment experience
- • Completed major renewable energy transactions across Europe
- • Led strategic M&A at OPENAX resulting in 3x valuation growth
- • Structured innovative financing for 50+ renewable energy projects
- • Achieved average portfolio IRR of 16.5% across all investments
Education & Qualifications
- • MBA in Finance, London Business School
- • M.S. in Engineering, École Centrale Paris
- • CFA Charterholder - CFA Institute
- • Infrastructure Investment Certificate - INSEAD
- • Member, European Infrastructure Investors Association
Current Focus Areas
European Expansion
Leading VoltWatt's investment program across European markets, targeting 2.1GW of renewable capacity through strategic acquisitions and greenfield developments.
Hybrid Project Development
Structuring innovative solar + storage hybrid projects combining multiple revenue streams to achieve 18%+ project IRRs in competitive markets.
Strategic Partnerships
Building co-investment partnerships with pension funds and sovereign wealth funds to accelerate deployment of renewable infrastructure across Europe.
Investment Excellence
Discover how our investment strategies are accelerating the renewable energy transition while delivering superior returns for our stakeholders.