Aquila Energy Announces Strategic Partnership with CenterNode to Strengthen Its Renewable Energy EPC Platform

CenterNode's Strategic Investment Strengthens Aquila's Financial Position and Bonding Capacity to Serve the Growing Distributed Generation and Small Utility-Scale Market

VISTA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aquila Energy, LLC ("Aquila"), a renewable energy infrastructure company specializing in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solutions, today announced the closing of a strategic investment by CenterNode, an alternative energy investment platform with more than $800 million in institutional capital commitments.

CenterNode's investment reflects its confidence in Aquila's leadership team, disciplined operating approach, and proven ability to execute complex solar and battery energy storage projects. The partnership enhances Aquila's financial strength and bonding capacity while providing the strategic resources needed to support the company's next phase of growth.

Aquila is focused on a large and growing segment of the renewable energy market: distributed generation and small utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects that require institutional-quality execution but are increasingly underserved as many larger EPC firms move toward the industry's biggest projects. Aquila and CenterNode see a significant opportunity to fill that gap.

By combining Aquila's experienced team, technical capabilities, and customer-focused approach with CenterNode's strategic capital and infrastructure investment expertise, the partnership creates a stronger EPC platform for high-quality projects that may be too complex for smaller contractors but are no longer a priority for the industry's largest providers.

The investment will allow Aquila to continue building the systems, people, and capabilities required to deliver consistent execution across engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, safety, quality, and project controls. Customers will benefit from greater financial strength, expanded bonding capacity, and the same responsive, accountable approach that has defined Aquila since its founding.

Aquila will remain focused on disciplined growth and trusted customer relationships while expanding its ability to support projects from early-stage engineering and value optimization through procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.

"Today marks a defining milestone in Aquila's history," said Brian Barker, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aquila Energy. "We're incredibly proud of what our team has built and the confidence CenterNode has placed in our people and our approach. There is a growing need for an EPC partner that can bring institutional-quality execution, financial strength, and accountability to distributed generation and small utility-scale projects. With CenterNode as our partner, we can invest in our people, technology, and operating capabilities while staying agile and close to our customers. Together, we are building the premier EPC platform for this important and underserved segment of the renewable energy market."

Seth Zeleznik, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CenterNode Group, said:

"Renewable energy deployment is growing rapidly, particularly across distributed generation and small utility-scale projects, even as many businesses and capital providers are moving toward the largest projects in the market. That shift has created a meaningful service gap for high-quality projects that still require institutional-grade execution. Brian and the Aquila team have built a differentiated business with the technical expertise, operating discipline, and customer focus to serve that market. We are excited to provide the capital and strategic support needed to help Aquila grow while preserving the culture and responsiveness that have driven its success."

Together, Aquila and CenterNode intend to build a leading EPC platform dedicated to delivering high-quality renewable energy projects in the distributed generation and small utility-scale market. The partnership will support disciplined growth, stronger execution capabilities, and long-term value for customers, employees, and stakeholders.

About Aquila Energy

Aquila Energy is a renewable energy infrastructure company specializing in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solutions for distributed generation and small utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects. From early-stage engineering and value optimization through procurement, construction, commissioning, and project closeout, Aquila delivers integrated EPC solutions designed to maximize project value, reduce execution risk, and bring critical energy infrastructure online safely, efficiently, and reliably.

For more information, visit www.aquilaenergy.com.

About CenterNode

CenterNode Group ("CenterNode") is Forest Road's dedicated alternative energy investment platform, providing flexible, structured capital solutions to projects, developers, and operating companies across the power and infrastructure ecosystem. CenterNode operates as a relying adviser under Forest Road Asset Management LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.

For more information, visit www.thecenternode.com.