Latest news with #HawaiiGas
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jason Zibarras' Argo Infrastructure Partners Long-Term Approach to Sustainable & Responsible Investing
Jason Zibarras, Managing Partner and Founder of Argo Infrastructure Partners By CorpGov Editorial Staff As investors and policymakers increasingly emphasize sustainability, infrastructure managers are being pressed to demonstrate that their portfolios not only support environmental goals but also deliver consistent returns. Argo Infrastructure Partners, a long-term investor in essential infrastructure, has been integrating sustainability into its responsible investment strategy from day one. Argo's Hawaii Gas assets, its Smoky Mountain hydroelectric facilities, and its investment in Ice Energy, thermal energy storage, highlight a distinctive approach to managing the transition to a lower-carbon economy. We spoke with Jason Zibarras, Managing Partner and Founder of Argo Infrastructure Partners, to discuss how the firm views responsible infrastructure investing, and what some of its portfolio companies are doing to lead in sustainability while serving essential customer needs. CorpGov: Argo owns Hawaii Gas, the only government-franchised, full-service gas company manufacturing and distributing gas in the state. How does this fit into your sustainable investment approach? Jason Zibarras: Hawaii Gas is a good example of what sustainable infrastructure looks like in practice and the journey that it is on. Argo seeks to invest in well-managed utilities that are moving us toward a sustainable future, and Hawaii Gas is working to decarbonize its fuel supply, aligning with the State of Hawaii's 100% renewable/net zero energy goals. CorpGov: What does that mean in practice? Jason Zibarras: Well today, that includes blending renewable natural gas and hydrogen into its system and exploring carbon-negative fuel options. The company is deeply embedded in the state's energy system, serving over 70,000 customers across six islands. In the future that could include blending higher amounts of green hydrogen into the gas supply system. From our perspective, investing in essential infrastructure doesn't mean choosing between reliability and sustainability, it's about reinforcing both. CorpGov: There is talk about hydrogen use, are there many gas utilities that do this Jason Zibarras: We believe that with a ~12% current hydrogen content, Hawai'i gas is the market leader, in terms of gas utility network operator, when it comes to measuring actual hydrogen content in the gas supplied to users. CorpGov: Hydroelectric assets are often seen as legacy renewables. What was the strategic rationale behind acquiring a stake in Brookfield's U.S. hydro portfolio? Jason Zibarras: Hydroelectric generation is one of the most dependable forms of renewable/zero carbon energy, and reliability is critical as more intermittent sources like wind and solar are increasingly incorporated into the power grid. The portfolio we acquired consists of 378 MW of capacity across key U.S. regions, and these low-emission assets have been powering communities for decades. For us, it's about owning infrastructure that contributes to decarbonization while meeting the energy demand of the electric grid and ultimately users. Hydropower continues to play a major role in energy security and climate resilience. CorpGov: How does Argo ensure its sustainability goals are embedded beyond asset acquisition, such as in the actual stewardship of these portfolio companies? Jason Zibarras: Purchasing a high-quality infrastructure asset is just the beginning. We develop a comprehensive plan to manage the life of each asset so that its environmental impact is minimized and its useful life is extended for as long as economically feasible. Our team engages with a company's Board or executive management team to establish the strategic goals, provide operational guidance and help monitor, focus, and improve business performance. CorpGov: Does Argo view sustainability as a value driver or a risk management strategy? Jason Zibarras: It's both. Sustainability considerations are fundamental to infrastructure investment performance. Energy transition policies, climate adaptation and stakeholder expectations are three examples of potential risks that are also central to the long-term viability of an asset. Beyond risk, we also see an upside. Assets like Hawaii Gas and our Smoky Mountain hydro assets are increasingly valuable as demand for carbon-light assets continues to grow. The assets' ability to operate in an environmentally conscious and reliable way makes them essential, which in turn helps deliver investment returns. CorpGov: As more renewables are integrated into the grid, flexibility and storage are becoming more critical. How does Argo view technologies like thermal storage or other non-traditional grid solutions? Jason Zibarras: We see grid flexibility as a key component of the energy transition. Innovation is needed to support this transition. For example, one of our portfolio companies, Ice Energy, created a line of products to store energy by freezing and storing ice during cooler, off-peak hours. Ice Energy helps utilities balance the increasing acute demand imbalance by providing distributed grid-scale virtual power plant solutions for permanent load shifting, peak to off-peak, which helps utilities meet their resource adequacy requirements and ultimately saves consumers and businesses money, while improving their carbon footprint. Utilities are able to use this capacity to reduce their resource adequacy requirements. Technologies like this are key and increasingly part of the solution. CorpGov: Are there other technologies that you think are important or becoming more critical? Jason Zibarras: There are a lot of solutions and approaches that are developing and maturing, whether it's hydropower solutions or thermal energy storage, we're focused on infrastructure that improves the efficiency and resilience of the electrical grid overall. Meeting demand with renewable resources requires thinking differently about time-shifting energy use. That's very much aligned with our view that infrastructure must evolve alongside existing technologies. CorpGov: Some are only now starting to integrate sustainability practices. How long has Argo been pursuing this path? Jason Zibarras: From day one. Our firm was built around the idea that essential infrastructure needs to be managed responsibly, including environmentally and financially. That's not a recent pivot for us; it's been embedded in our practices since inception because it creates value for our investors as well as satisfies sustainability concerns. Whether it's reducing emissions, supporting grid stability, or investing in local workforce and community development, we believe infrastructure can be a force for good. That's the approach we've taken, and we think it's the right one for this moment and for the long term. CorpGov: How does Argo's investment in Corning Gas and Electric align with the firm's responsible infrastructure investing strategy? Jason Zibarras: Argo's strategy is to invest in high-quality infrastructure businesses and assets that provide essential services to their communities and achieve sustainable investment returns over their long operational lives. To this end, Argo's investment allowed Corning to focus on safety and accelerate its growth opportunities, such as the leak-prone pipe replacement program approved by the respective utility commissions, or the expansion of service to previously unserved or underserved areas. Population growth also bolsters the business. We are constantly looking for opportunities to invest and grow by strengthening and broadening the footprint of the businesses. READ MORE LA CorpGov Forum Sept 4: Featuring Sports, Entertainment, IPOs, VCs, Activism & Asia Register for our weekly newsletter Contact: CorpGov Editor@ Click to follow us on LinkedIn The post Jason Zibarras' Argo Infrastructure Partners Long-Term Approach to Sustainable & Responsible Investing appeared first on CorpGov. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Argo to buy UGI's gas storage and supply assets in Hawaii
Argo Infrastructure Partners (Argo), through its wholly owned subsidiary Isle Gas under AMF Hawaii Investment Holdings, has agreed to acquire key gas storage and delivery assets in Hawaii from UGI's subsidiary AmeriGas Propane. The acquisition includes approximately 750,000 gallons (gal) of propane storage capacity distributed across multiple sites, along with a fleet of delivery vehicles. These assets currently serve thousands of residential and commercial customers across four major Hawaiian islands: Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Kauaʻi. Following the transaction, Isle Gas will be serviced by Hawaiʻi Gas, which already supplies propane to nearly 34,000 non-utility customers statewide. Both Hawaiʻi Gas and Isle Gas are owned by funds managed by Argo, positioning the company to expand its role in Hawaii's critical energy infrastructure. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 (Q4 FY25), pending customary closing conditions. Argo Infrastructure Partners managing partner and founder Jason Zibarras said: 'Our continuing focus is on investing in and growing infrastructure assets that provide essential services to their communities. The addition of these assets will complement our existing Hawaiʻi operations supporting a more resilient and energy-efficient future." Hawaiʻi Gas, founded in 1904, is the only government-franchised, full-service gas company engaged in the manufacture and distribution of gas in Hawaii. The company's non-utility operations include distribution of liquefied petroleum gas to tank and bottled gas customers throughout the state. Argo managing director Hugh Au added: 'As we have done across our managed portfolio of infrastructure assets, Argo will support Isle Gas with access to capital and operational expertise. With this investment, Argo continues to invest in the energy needs of the Hawaiian Islands, building on and supporting Hawaiʻi Gas' strong track record of reliability, resiliency and safety.' "Argo to buy UGI's gas storage and supply assets in Hawaii" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii launches pilot project to harness hydrogen energy
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii Gas is partnering with Canadian energy tech company Ayrton Energy on a new pilot project aimed at advancing hydrogen as a clean fuel for the islands. Earthquake off Kau Coast bears no tsunami threat The project is set to launch in early 2026 and will test Ayrton's proprietary liquid organic hydrogen carrier (e-LOHC™) technology, a system designed to store and transport hydrogen safely and efficiently at room temperature. The goal is to explore whether this new method could make hydrogen a more practical and scalable energy solution for Hawaii.'Hydrogen has long been recognized as a zero-carbon fuel, but storing and transporting it has been a major hurdle,' said Nicolas Rodier, executive director of clean energy and innovation at Hawaii Gas. 'This pilot project with Ayrton Energy will help us bring scalable hydrogen projects to life and continue decarbonizing our fuel supply in a safe and cost-effective way.' 'Hydrogen's potential as a global energy solution depends on overcoming critical storage and transportation challenges,' said Natasha Kostenuk, CEO of Calgary-based Ayrton Energy. 'This project will show how our technology can make hydrogen accessible where it's needed most.' Hawaii Gas already blends up to 15% hydrogen into its synthetic natural gas on Oahu which is more than any other utility in the United States. In 2024, the company announced plans to build the state's first green hydrogen facility in partnership with Eurus Energy America, as part of its broader push toward renewable energy. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The upcoming pilot will be based at Hawaii Gas' Synthetic Natural Gas Plant on Oahu. Officials say it could pave the way for wider use of hydrogen across the state, helping meet Hawaii's ambitious climate goals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
