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AES Stockholders Approve Acquisition by Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT-Led Consortium

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ARLINGTON, Va., June 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The AES Corporation (the “Company” or “AES”) (NYSE: AES) today announced that its stockholders voted to approve the Company’s previously announced acquisition by Global Infrastructure Partners (“GIP”), a part of BlackRock, and the EQT Infrastructure VI fund (“EQT”), along with co-underwriters California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) and Qatar Investment Authority (“QIA”) (collectively “the Consortium”), at the Company’s Meeting of Stockholders held earlier today.

As previously announced, under the terms of the merger agreement the Consortium will acquire all outstanding common shares of AES for $15.00 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of approximately $10.7 billion and an enterprise value of approximately $33.4 billion, including the assumption of existing debt1.

“We are grateful for the strong support from our stockholders,” said Holly Koeppel, Lead Independent Director of AES’ Board of Directors. “Today’s vote reinforces our conviction that this transaction meaningfully enhances value while positioning AES for its next phase of growth. With the deep sector expertise of the Consortium, AES will have greater flexibility to invest in the critical energy solutions our customers and communities depend on. We look forward to working with the Consortium to complete the transaction, advance our shared mission, and create long-term value for all stakeholders.”

“Our team has built a differentiated platform spanning regulated utilities, clean energy solutions and critical energy infrastructure, creating a strong foundation for sustained growth,” said Andrés Gluski, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AES. “With today’s approval by stockholders, we are focused on executing the remaining steps towards completing the transaction and partnering with the Consortium to expand our capacity to deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.”

Based on the preliminary vote count from today’s special meeting of stockholders, approximately 97.92% of AES stockholders votes were cast in favor of the proposed transaction, representing approximately 67.17% of all outstanding shares. The final voting results will be reported in a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The transaction is expected to close in late 2026 or early 2027, and remains subject to the receipt of applicable federal, state and foreign regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

About AES

The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 global energy company accelerating the future of energy. Together with our many stakeholders, we’re improving lives by delivering the greener, smarter energy solutions the world needs. Our diverse workforce is committed to continuous innovation and operational excellence, while partnering with our customers on their strategic energy transitions and continuing to meet their energy needs today.

About Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a Part of BlackRock

Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock, is a leading infrastructure investor that specializes in investing in, owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors.

GIP’s scaled platform has over $206 billion in assets under management. We believe that our focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with our deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables us to be responsible stewards of our clients’ capital and create positive economic impact for communities.

About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 269 billion in total assets under management (EUR 142 billion in fee-generating assets under management) as of 31 March 2026, within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

About CalPERS

CalPERS is the largest defined benefit public pension fund in the U.S., with a net position of $597.7 billion in its Public Employees’ Retirement Fund as of March 31, 2026. The portfolio invests in stocks, bonds, real estate, infrastructure, private equity, inflation-linked assets and other public and private investment vehicles, with a goal to generate total returns on a long-term basis while managing risk. Headquartered in Sacramento, California, CalPERS serves nearly 2.4 million members, providing retirement benefits to state, school, and public employees, along with health benefit services to 1.5 million members.

About QIA

QIA is the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. QIA was founded in 2005 to invest and manage the state reserve funds. QIA is among the largest and most active sovereign wealth funds globally. QIA invests across a wide range of asset classes and regions as well as in partnership with leading institutions around the world to build a global and diversified investment portfolio with a long-term perspective that can deliver sustainable returns and contribute to the prosperity of the State of Qatar.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those related to future earnings, growth and financial and operating performance. Forward-looking statements are not intended to be a guarantee of future results but instead constitute AES’ current expectations based on reasonable assumptions.  Estimates and projections regarding, among other things, the expected date of closing of the transaction and the potential benefits thereof, its business and industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by AES, all of which are subject to change.  Forecasted financial information is based on certain material assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, our expectations regarding accurate projections of future interest rates, commodity price and foreign currency pricing, continued normal levels of operating performance and electricity volume at our distribution companies and operational performance at our generation businesses consistent with historical levels, as well as the execution of PPAs, conversion of our backlog and growth investments at normalized investment levels, and rates of return consistent with prior experience.

Actual results could differ materially from those projected in our forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Important factors that could affect actual results are discussed in AES’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including, but not limited to, the risks discussed under Item 1A: “Risk Factors” and Item 7: “Management’s Discussion & Analysis” in AES’ 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Readers are encouraged to read AES’ filings to learn more about the risk factors associated with AES’ business. AES undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except where required by law.

Any Stockholder who desires a copy of the Company’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 2, 2026 with the SEC may obtain a copy (excluding the exhibits thereto) without charge by addressing a request to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, The AES Corporation, 4300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Exhibits also may be requested, but a charge equal to the reproduction cost thereof will be made. A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K may be obtained by visiting the Company’s website at www.aes.com.

Contacts

AES Investor Contact:
Max Trask 571-217-3249, max.trask@aes.com

AES Media Contact:
Amy Ackerman 703-682-6399, amy.ackerman@aes.com

GIP Contact:
Mustafa Riffat, 917-747-4156, mustafa.riffat@blackrock.com

EQT Contact:
Mathilde Milch, 917-510-6626, mathilde.milch@eqtpartners.com

Press Release
Investor Contact: Max Trask 571-217-3249, max.trask@aes.com
Media Contact: Amy Ackerman 703-682-6399, amy.ackerman@aes.com

1Enterprise value based on proportional net debt of $22,724 million and a share count of 712 million, as of December 31, 2025. Consolidated net debt was $27,561 million as of December 31, 2025.

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SOURCE The AES Corporation

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Sharing opportunities — A New Landscape of Asia-Pacific Development

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BEIJING, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China.org.cn on Asia-Pacific community:

Combining a bionic eagle-claw gripper with a drone for disaster relief — that is the project Nathapol’s team from Thailand took to the finals of the Lancang-Mekong Countries Science and Technology Innovation Competition.

They spent a year refining and testing it, again and again. Although his team did not ultimately win, when they sat down with other young people from the Lancang-Mekong countries for in-depth exchanges, Nathapol also got a close-up look at innovative projects from other countries, ranging from biomedicine and modern agriculture to information technology. These young people’s ideas, nurtured by events like this, gradually grow into opportunities that could benefit people across the region.

Changes brought by technological progress are playing out in the everyday rhythm of the production line in the smart factory in Thailand. Through cooperation between Chinese and Thai companies, the factory is equipped with full 5G coverage; procedures that once required repeated manual inspection can now be handled by AI-powered visual inspection; and high temperature or the highly repetitive operations can be completed by robotic arms remotely controlled from a mobile phone. Here, technology isn’t simply replacing people on the production line — it has reduced danger and repetitive work.

At Chancay Port in Peru, a member of APEC, such opportunities are reaching even further. A cargo ship sailing out of Chancay Port, loaded with local fresh fruit such as blueberries and avocados, can now reach Shanghai in just 23 days, about 10 days faster than before. For the farmers and exporters, a new port, a new route and shorter shipping times can translate into a larger market, bigger profits, and tangible improvements in their lives.

Inside the port, the changes are equally concrete. Automated quay cranes and yard cranes, self-driving container trucks, and digital twin technology have made Chancay Port’s operations smarter. A new generation of young Peruvians who work at the port, in turn, are learning and honing skills for the “behind the screen era.”

Similar changes are taking place in other countries in the Asia-Pacific.

In Naoero, at nine o’clock in the morning, workers harvest fresh lettuce in a container-based “vegetable factory” built with China’s assistance; an hour and 20 minutes later, a local housewife drops a bag of the produce into her shopping cart. In Naoero, where fresh vegetables have long relied on air-freighted imports, China’s soilless cultivation technology has ultimately taken shape as bags of freshly picked vegetables on kitchen tables, at more affordable prices.

From a young innovator and his project to a smart factory, a port and a shipping route, and to the application of technologies and their coexistence with people, such stories offer a glimpse into the ever-closer ties among Asia-Pacific countries.

In recent years, China has continued to widen market access, advance the development of pilot free trade zones, and further facilitate trade and investment through regional frameworks such as RCEP and the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0. Platforms such as the China International Import Expo, the China International Supply Chain Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo have likewise opened up more opportunities for global business owners to bring their products to China and connect with potential partners.

China is hosting APEC 2026 under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together,” with “openness,” “innovation,” and “cooperation” identified as the priorities. Ever-extending connections forged deeper links between markets and people’s lives, enabling more development opportunities to thrive and be shared in this Asia-Pacific community.

China Mosaic
http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm
Sharing opportunities — A New Landscape of Asia-Pacific Development
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2026-09/04/content_118679249.shtml

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SOURCE China.org.cn

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TÜV Rheinland Presents LCA Certificate to Aputure Studio Light

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SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On August 21, TÜV Rheinland Greater China, the international independent testing, inspection and certification organization presented Shenzhen Aputure Imaging Technology Co., Ltd. (“Aputure”) with a life cycle assessment (LCA) certificate for its STORM CS32 studio light at the 2026 Aputure Fan Night.

The certification reflects Aputure’s commitment to environmental responsibility and provides a scientific basis for identifying the stages of a product’s life cycle with the greatest environmental impact, enabling targeted improvements that will guide future product optimization and sustainability management.

Gao Chao, Deputy Director of Aputure’s product center, and Li Qiang, Vice General Manager of Sales at TÜV Rheinland Greater China Electrical, attended the certificate presentation ceremony.

The project moved beyond the conventional approach of evaluating a single production stage. Instead, it applied a “cradle-to-grave” perspective, systematically assessing the studio light across its entire life cycle from raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution and transportation, through product use, to end-of-life disposal. The assessment pinpointed the key factors and stages where environmental impact is greatest, providing data to support eco-design, process improvement and supply chain optimization.

“Sustainability has become a core imperative for business development,” Gao said. “Receiving this LCA certificate marks an important milestone in our efforts to integrate green principles across the entire research, development and manufacturing of our products. While refining technical performance, we continue to identify opportunities to reduce environmental impact throughout the product life cycle. Going forward, Aputure will advance eco-design, drive continuous innovation and support the industry’s transition toward a green, low-carbon future.”

“The global transition toward green, low-carbon development is accelerating, and sustainability has shifted from an option to a must for enterprises,” Li said. “LCA helps companies understand the composition of their products’ environmental footprint and identify where improvements can be made, moving from isolated green initiatives to systematic capability building. This certification not only recognizes Aputure’s achievements to date. It also marks a new starting point for building full life cycle environmental management capabilities. TÜV Rheinland is honored to have been part of this project, and we look forward to deepening our cooperation to help the professional film and television lighting industry move toward higher-quality, more sustainable growth.”

As a leading global technology service provider, TÜV Rheinland operates specialized laboratories and a global technical network covering safety, electromagnetic compatibility, performance verification and market access for electrical and electronic products. It offers one-stop solutions for photographic equipment, film and television lighting and related products, including testing, certification and assessment spanning product development, testing and certification, and post-market evaluation, helping Chinese lighting products reach global markets.

About Aputure
Shenzhen Aputure Innovation Technology Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shenzhen, is a high-tech enterprise specializing in imaging equipment. It integrates R&D, production, and global sales. The company has over 1,000 employees worldwide.

As of June 30, 2026, Aputure held 1,253 valid patents, including 171 invention patents. Aputure has subsidiaries and offices in the United States, the Netherlands, Singapore, India, Brazil, and other locations. It serves over 2 million users globally, with a sales network covering more than 175 countries.

The company owns four self-developed software and hardware product brands: Aputure, Amaran, DEITY, and the Sidus Link intelligent control system. Aputure products can be found in professional film and television crews, content creation studios, and professional live-streaming rooms worldwide, making Aputure one of the fastest-growing professional imaging equipment companies globally.

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SOURCE TUV Rheinland Greater China

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EaseUS Software Reveals Windows Storage Insights Report 2026 H1 Based on 3.8 Million Global Samples

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EaseUS Study Finds Windows Storage Is Shifting from “Bigger Capacity” to “Smarter Space Management” as SSDs Become System Drive Mainstream

NEW YORK, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —  EaseUS Software released the Windows Storage Trends and Insights 2026 H1 report, analyzing storage configurations and usage patterns based on 3.8 million Windows user samples. The study was conducted between February and July 2026, and found that Windows storage is shifting from simply expanding disk capacity to optimizing space allocation and proactively managing risk.

To answer the question of “How do worldwide storage structures look alike?”, EaseUS Lab, with its EaseUS Partition Master R&D and Tech Support teams, examined 6,575,391 internal physical disk drives and identified some key changes in Windows storage structure: SSDs have become the dominant storage medium, accounting for 63.03% of samples and 79.73% of system drives. This transition also indicates a new era focused on disk performance and intelligent space management, outweighing raw disk capacity.

Core Findings: Windows Storage Evolution in Progress

According to this storage report, EaseUS Lab identifies 5 critical storage trends that are reshaping the worldwide Windows storage structure:

1. SSDs Have Become the Mainstream Storage Medium in Windows Devices

SSD drives have become the primary choice for system installations. Over 79.73% of Windows system drives use SSD technology, as users prioritize performance and reliability for operating systems and applications. Meanwhile, HDDs continue to play important roles in high-capacity data storage scenarios.

2. Multi-Drive Configurations Are Expanding in Windows Storage

Over 44.85% of sampled devices are configured with two or more internal disk drives, and about 28.94% of Windows sample devices are two-disk-drive setups. This architecture reflects growing user sophistication in storage allocation: Windows devices are evolving from single-drive to multi-drive configurations, separating systems from data storage to optimize both performance and capacity utilization.

3. The Average Windows Disk Drive Capacity Is Smaller Than 1TB

Despite global storage growth, 83.37% of individual internal sample drives remain smaller than 1TB, with no significant shift toward ultra-high-capacity disks. Over 57.10% of sampled disk drives are staying in the 250GB – 1TB range. This illustrates that major Windows users are not rapidly shifting to ultra-large disk drives. In contrast, mid-range storage remains mainstream for meeting users’ daily demands.

4. C Drive Space Pressure Emerges On Smaller Disks

This storage trends research also uncovered a significant factor: although total storage increases, about 78.35% of C drives remain under 500GB. Among 17.01% of sampled disks, over 641,955 Windows devices are experiencing “C drive full”, “Low Disk Space”, or “C drive turning red” issues with critical low-space conditions of less than 10% free capacity left.  

Also, devices with C drives under 120GB face the highest risk of Low Disk Space, with 31.91% experiencing space pressure issues.

5. Regional Capacity Variations Highlight Diverse Needs

Windows storage preferences also vary significantly by region. European users favor larger disks (500GB-1TB) (29.88%), while North American and Asian users more commonly choose mid-range configurations (250GB-500GB) (28.32% and 32.54%, respectively). These differences may also reveal regional preferences in storage strategies among manufacturers and IT business owners.

Industry Implications: Focusing on Storage Strategy and Disk Lifecycle Management

According to this report, a foresight provided by EaseUS Lab, which says that “the storage industry is shifting from simply relying on storage capacity to a new stage: focusing on storage roles, disk space efficiency, and disk management capabilities.

The report outlines some strategic suggestions for different industrial players:

SSD Manufacturers: Focus on the 120GB – 500GB system drive segment; in this range, SSD upgrade opportunities remain substantial.HDD Manufacturers: Emphasize the value of secondary storage, archiving, and high-capacity data scenarios.PC OEMs: Consider proper system partition space configurations to align advertised capacity with actual usable space.Disk Health & Management Providers: Turn to proactive management and evolve from reactive cleanup tools to practical risk detection and lifecycle management strategies.

Actionable Suggestions for Actual Users

This storage report also provides C drive capacity-based management suggestions and tips for Windows users to apply:

120GB or Smaller C Drives (High Risk): Prioritize proper space allocation – these users should migrate large files to secondary drives and consider SSD upgrades for sustainable solutions.

250GB – 500GB C Drives (Mainstream): Monitor C drive space regularly, separate system and personal data, and leverage multi-drive configurations for optimal organization.

500GB or Larger C Drives (Large Capacity): Emphasize efficient space allocation, flexible partition planning, and long-term disk health monitoring instead of pursuing capacity to eliminate management needs.

How EaseUS Lab Conducted This Storage Insights Report

The Windows Storage Trends and Insights 2026 H1 report was created from 3.8M anonymized telemetry data collected by EaseUS Lab from February 2026 to July 2026. Here is how EaseUS Lab deals with the sample data:

All sensitive information was processed and removed before analysis.The sample data encompasses diverse global Windows users across consumer and enterprise segments.The insights data reflects sample subsets rather than complete global market statistics.

This report covers global regional preferences, brand distribution analysis, and expert recommendations, available at: https://www.easeus.com/whitepapers/windows-storage-trends-2026-h1.html.

About EaseUS Software

EaseUS, founded in 2004, is a leading software provider, offering data recovery, disk management, data backup services, and multimedia solutions to its global users. Trusted by millions of users across more than 160 countries and regions, EaseUS commits to delivering reliable, innovative, and user-friendly solutions to help individual and business users worldwide manage and protect their digital lives with ease. For more information, please visit: https://www.easeus.com.

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SOURCE EaseUS Software

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