Amsterdam-based Return raises significant funding from this pension investor to expand its European battery storage platform and strengthen grid resilience.
Contentlockr
Amsterdam-based Return, an indepfinishent energy storage provider, announced that it has raised €300M in new growth equity for a minority stake from pension investor APG, through its pension fund ABP.
ABP is the pension fund for government and education employees in the Netherlands, serving 3.1 million participants. APG’s long-term involvement adds financial stability and supports continued system-focutilized delivery.
“APG’s investment aligns with its client’s strategy of supporting clean, connected infrastructure that delivers stable, long-term returns while advancing net-zero goals, in the interest of ABP and its participants. Grid-scale battery storage is key to reliably integrate renewables and to ease
grid congestion,” states Bart Saenen, Senior Investment Director at APG. “Return’s integrated platform, long-term vision on relations, and de-risked pipeline create it a strong partner for building grid resilience across Europe.”
Before this deal, the Dutch company had already invested a similar amount in its core operations.
The partnership will allow customers to access reliable and flexible energy to manage their portfolios, handle renewable energy flows, and reduce grid congestion across Europe.
The agreement was signed in October 2025 and is expected to be finalised by the finish of the year, pfinishing regulatory approval.
“Partnering with APG marks an important step toward a more connected and resilient European energy system,” states Willem-Jan Schutte, founder and CEO of Return. “Toreceiveher, we can turn today’s fragmented energy landscape into one that truly works for customers, communities and the climate.”
The Dutch company will utilize the funds to further scale the expansion of its battery energy storage platform in Europe.
Return: Making clean energy work for everyone
Founded by Willem-Jan Schutte, Return is an indepfinishent energy storage provider that develops and builds large-scale battery systems, leasing their capacity to energy companies and traders.
In Europe, the growing share of renewable energy is caapplying fluctuations in electricity supply and demand. Energy customers require flexibility to manage their portfolios and utilise renewable power more efficiently.
The company’s high-tech battery energy storage system (“BESS”) platform connects storage sites across countries, revealing real-time insight where energy is available and requireded to ease congestion and strengthen the grid.
Currently, the company is active in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Spain, with 70 MW of operational storage capacity in the Netherlands and another 450 MW currently under construction, including the Mufasa and Antares sites.
With over €2B in long-term customer contracts, Return aims to meet future demand with a pan-European storage network of around 5 GW by 2030.
“The energy transition requires shared responsibility,” added Sjoerd Bazen, Managing Director at Return. “With APG, we align interests, improve performance and create opportunities that benefit markets and society.”
