A six person energy investment team was hired by the Carlyle Group to take advantage of the forecasted increase in demand for energy and equivalents in the next few years.

The private equity group is getting new personnel after its more than a decade collaboration with Riverstone Holdings came to an end in 2011. The two private equity firms' successful run as partners saw them launch six energy related funds as well as focus on buyouts within the energy and power industries.

The energy investment team would be based in London under the leadership of Marcel van Poecke. He was the CEO of now bankrupt refiner Petroplus during the time Carlyle owned the company between 2005 and 2007. 

The team plans to raise a fund of about US$1.5 billion according to an anonymous source familiar with the matter. The source also confirmed that there have already been commitment signed with investors.

In a statement, Carlyle said, "Industry experts forecast global energy demand to grow dramatically over the next decade. Energy production and infrastructure is expected to grow dramatically in Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia to meet this demand. This environment will increase the need for capital investment globally."