Aug 5 - Private equity firm Quantum Capital Group will

buy U.S. independent power producer Cogentrix Energy for about

$3 billion from funds managed by Carlyle Group ( CG ), the

companies said on Monday.

Cogentrix, which was bought by Carlyle from Goldman Sachs in

2012, operates more than 70 gas, coal, solar and other renewable

assets.

"Electricity demand is rapidly increasing thanks to

explosive growth in data centers and AI, the reshoring of

manufacturing, and the electrification-of-everything... Now more

than ever, we need reliable and efficient power infrastructure,"

Wil VanLoh, founder and CEO of Quantum, said in a statement.

The deal is expected to close between the fourth quarter of

2024 and the first quarter of 2025.