> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # πŸŒ† Infra Futures #11 - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/infra-futures-11/ - Published: 2024-10-07T11:30:58.000Z - Updated: 2024-10-07T11:30:57.000Z - Description: HolonIQ's Infra Newsletter covers the latest developments in energy infrastructure, transport infrastructure, and buildings and highlights the week's top infrastructure deals. - Author: QS - Tags: Green Skills **Happy Monday πŸ‘‹** The United Kingdom achieved a significant milestone in EV adoption this week, [surpassing 70,000 public charging stations](https://forecourttrader.co.uk/latest-news/uk-hits-70000-public-ev-chargepoints-milestone/696279.article?ref=newsletters.qs.com). This marks a substantial increase from April 2022, when the country had 60,000 public chargers. Meanwhile, in the United States, the second quarter of 2024 saw [continued growth in public EV charging infrastructure](https://chargedevs.com/newswire/j-d-power-satisfaction-with-public-ev-charging-infrastructure-improved-since-2023/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), building on the positive momentum from the first quarter. Previously, a report by JD Power highlighted a critical issue hindering the transition to electric mobility: a lack of proper maintenance for public EV charging stations. This deficiency was identified as a significant barrier to widespread EV adoption. This week also witnessed [approximately $9B in investments into upgrading rail infrastructure](https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2024/10/01/contracts-awarded-for-logan-and-gold-coast-faster-rail/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) across Australia and Europe. BlackRock [completed its acquisition of Global Infrastructure Partners](https://www.rechargenews.com/wind/blackrock-seals-12bn-deal-to-buy-global-infrastructure-partners/2-1-1718699?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for over $12B recording one of the largest acquisitions in this space. ## πŸ—οΈEnergy Infrastructure **πŸ”Œ UK Hits Major Milestone with 70,000 Public EV Chargers.** The number of public EV charging devices in the UK [surpassed 70,000](https://forecourttrader.co.uk/latest-news/uk-hits-70000-public-ev-chargepoints-milestone/696279.article?ref=newsletters.qs.com), a milestone reached just five months after recording 60,000 public chargers in April 2022. **πŸ”‹ Public EV Charging Infrastructure Improves in the US.** Consumer intelligence firm J.D. Power found that the [public EV charging infrastructure in the US](https://chargedevs.com/newswire/j-d-power-satisfaction-with-public-ev-charging-infrastructure-improved-since-2023/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) improved in the second quarter of 2024, continuing the positive trend from the first quarter. **⚑ US Funds Major Transmission Line Projects.** The US Department of Energy selected four transmission line projects for $1.5B in funding to add nearly [1,000 miles of transmission lines and 7,100 MW](https://www.enr.com/articles/59379-feds-pick-four-transmission-line-projects-for-15b-in-funding?ref=newsletters.qs.com) of capacity across six states. ## 🚘Transport Infrastructure **🚈 Major Contracts Awarded for Rail Infrastructure Project.** The Australian government awarded two of three major contracts for the [$5.8B Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project](https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2024/10/01/contracts-awarded-for-logan-and-gold-coast-faster-rail/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), which aims to improve rail infrastructure in the region. **🚧 EU Invests $2.7B to Enhance Transport Infrastructure.** The European Commission has announced the opening of the [2024 Connecting Europe Facility with a $2.7B budget ](https://www.constructionbriefing.com/news/-2.5-billion-call-to-boost-resilience-and-safety-across-the-eu-transport-network/8039456.article?ref=newsletters.qs.com)to improve resilience and safety across the EU's transport network. **🚈 Billion-Dollar Tender for Rail Baltica Project.** A new tender worth up to $1B has been offered for the Rail Baltica project, a [major European transport infrastructure initiative involving Estonia](https://www.constructionbriefing.com/news/new-tender-worth-up-to-us-1-billion-offered-on-rail-baltica/8039487.article?ref=newsletters.qs.com). ## πŸ›οΈ Buildings **πŸ”₯ UK Government Boosts Heat Pump Grant Scheme Budget.** The UK government increased the annual budget for the heat pump grant scheme by Β£50 million. Ed Miliband has granted Ofgem permission to over-allocate up to Β£50 million of Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants in this financial year. **πŸͺ¨ Carbon-neutral granite concrete used in a NYC skyscraper.** A new type of carbon-neutral concrete made from [granite instead of limestone](https://newatlas.com/environment/carbon-neutral-granite-concrete-nyc-skyscraper/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) has been used for the first time in a skyscraper under construction in Manhattan, New York City. ## 🏫Social Infrastructure **πŸ—οΈ China's local governments slow infrastructure bond issuance.** Faced with falling revenues, Chinese local governments are issuing [debt to finance infrastructure projects](https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/China-debt-crunch/China-s-local-governments-rein-in-infrastructure-bonds-on-budget-fears?ref=newsletters.qs.com) at the slowest pace in three years. ## **πŸ’°** Infra Deals **πŸ—οΈ BlackRock Acquires Global Infrastructure Partners for Over $12 Billion.** BlackRock [completed the acquisition of Global Infrastructure Partners](https://www.rechargenews.com/wind/blackrock-seals-12bn-deal-to-buy-global-infrastructure-partners/2-1-1718699?ref=newsletters.qs.com), a major infrastructure investment firm, in a deal valued at over $12B. **⚑ Scala Data Centers Secures $550M Funding.** Scala Data Centers, a data center company, [raised $550M](https://latamlist.com/scala-data-centers-raises-550m-from-coatue-and-imco/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in funding from Coatue Tactical Solutions and Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO). **🏠 Japanese firm acquires majority stake in Australian homebuilder.** Sumitomo Forestry, a Japanese company acquired a [majority stake in Metricon](https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/japans-sumitomo-forestry-buys-majority-stake-in-australias-largest-housebuilder/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), Australia's largest homebuilder, for $79M. **⚑ Submer raises $55.5M to make datacenters greener.** Submer, a company that provides greener datacenters [raised $55.5M in a growth funding](https://www.finsmes.com/2024/10/submer-raises-55-5m-in-series-c-funding-at-500m-valuation.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) round to address the increasing energy and water consumption of datacenters. **🏠 SEI Group Expands with Acquisitions of Pro Foam Insulators and Accu-coat Spray Products.** SEI Group LLC, a leading installer of insulation and specialty building products [acquired](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sei-group-acquires-pro-foam-insulators-ltd-and-accu-coat-spray-products-llc-302263167.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) Pro Foam Insulators, Ltd. and Accu-coat Spray Products, LLC. --- **Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!** Have some feedback or suggestions? Let us know at hello@holoniq.com [ ](https://newsletters.qs.com/psychedelic-mental-health-treatments-south-asia-health-tech-100-2/)