Increasing interest in sustainable investments, expansions on the European and Australian markets and an increase in the number of real estate projects have resulted in a pre-tax profit of EUR 19,5 million for Obton Group

Sustainability was a hot topic in 2018, and no less so for the Danish investment company Obton Group, where the interest was tangible. The investment company specialising in alternative investments has just released its 2018 financial statements, and again this year, the company has presented a two-digit million EURO surplus – in large part thanks to the increasing focus on sustainable investments, says CEO Anders Marcus.

‘We have seen a significant increase in the interest in sustainable investments in recent years. Both individuals and companies have come to realise that sustainable investments are good for the climate and, as far as companies are concerned, for their brand’, Marcus explains.

Over 500 global solar projects
Currently, Obton – one of two subsidiaries in the Obton Group – has over 500 global solar PV projects, with more on the way.

‘In 2018, we expanded activities both on the European and the Australian markets. Australia is one of the countries where solar energy comprises an ever greater share of the energy production and where we can see that the market will remain interesting for many years to come. Therefore, in 2018 we established a joint venture with an Australian partner with a view to expanding our Australian portfolio over the coming years’, explains Anders Marcus, adding:

‘We also have high expectations of the Netherlands. Here, we were one of the first players in the market, and in 2018 we expanded the number of solar parks to become among the largest in the country today. Another country we are watching closely is Ireland, where we have also entered into a joint venture. The Irish today are in the position that the Dutch were some years ago, and therefore we have a unique opportunity to be first movers here, too’, explains Anders Marcus.

Growing number of properties
At Obton Group’s other subsidiary too, Koncenton, 2018 was an entirely satisfactory year, says Anders Marcus. For both Obton and Koncenton, 2018 has been a year for a strategic shift. Where both investment firms used to primarily focus on the purchase of finished projects, today the companies are often involved from the start of the building process.

‘Both in the global market for solar energy and in the real estate market in Denmark, we are seeing a growing number of players, which increases competition for the attractive projects. That is why in 2018 we assumed, and will assume going forward, the role of project developer. Engagement further down in the value chain will help increase our competitive ability while allowing us to offer our investors more robust projects with a solid return’, says Anders Marcus.

2018 was also the year in which Obton Group rounded a milestone in its number of employees. In the autumn of 2018, the Group celebrated employee number 100, and another 20 have joined the Groups since then.

 ‘Both at Obton and Koncenton, we have a very big pipeline of projects and are experiencing in both companies particular interest in our products. Therefore, we anticipate that in 2019 we will again be able to generate record earnings’, says Marcus.