Acquisition Interest - Beatrice Offshore Windfarm

RNS Number : 7800L

Renewables Infrastructure Grp (The)

15 January 2021

 

15 January 2021

The Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited

("TRIG" or "the Company", a London-listed investment company advised by InfraRed Capital Partners ("InfraRed") as Investment Manager and RES ("Renewable Energy Systems") as Operations Manager)

Acquisition of interest in Beatrice offshore wind farm in the UK

The Board of TRIG is pleased to announce that the Company has exchanged contracts to acquire an equity interest of 17.5% in Beatrice offshore wind farm ("the Project") from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners ("CIP"). Beatrice is a 588MW offshore wind farm developed by SSE plc using Siemens turbines, has an established track record since operations commenced in 2018 and benefits from a Contract-for-Difference ("CfD") subsidy. Following completion of the transaction, Beatrice will represent approximately 12% of TRIG's investment portfolio.

The wind farm is located approximately 13km off the north east coast of Scotland and comprises 84 Siemens 7MW turbines which utilise direct drive technology. The Project has a 15-year maintenance agreement in place with Siemens. The Project's CfD subsidy fixes the price received for all power generated until 2034, with indexation to inflation. Debt financing on the Project is fixed rate and fully amortising within the subsidy period.

The investment, which is subject to regulatory and lender consents which are expected to be received in the coming weeks, will be financed from a drawdown of the Group's recently renewed revolving credit facility.  TRIG's co-shareholders will be SSE plc (40%), funds managed by Equitix Investment Management Limited (who are also acquiring a 17.5% stake from CIP and is partnered with TRIG on the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm), and Red Rock Power Limited (25%). 

As has recently been highlighted by the UK Government, offshore wind projects have a significant role to play in the decarbonisation of the UK economy. As well as ongoing economic benefit through the provision of local jobs (with up to 90 roles at the operational base for the Project in Wick, Scotland), the Project provides enough clean energy to power the equivalent of more than 450,000 homes.  

Richard Crawford, of InfraRed Capital Partners, said:

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to invest in this high-quality project developed by SSE, who are a leading generator of renewable electricity in the UK. As investment Manager, InfraRed seeks attractive opportunities for TRIG that increase the robustness of the portfolio, helping to deliver sustainable returns to shareholders from a diversified portfolio of renewables infrastructure. This major acquisition represents a continuation of this investment strategy and will be the Company's third investment in a UK offshore wind farm and its 5^th in the offshore wind sector."

Enquiries

InfraRed Capital Partners Limited  [phone]
Richard Crawford
Phil George

Maitland/AMO  [phone]
James Isola

Zara de Belder

Notes

The Company

The Renewables Infrastructure Group ("TRIG" or the "Company") is a leading London-listed renewable energy infrastructure investment company. The Company seeks to provide shareholders with an attractive long-term, income-based return with a positive correlation to inflation by focusing on strong cash generation across a diversified portfolio of predominantly operating projects. TRIG is targeting an aggregate dividend of 6.76 pence per Ordinary Share for the year to 31 December 2020.

TRIG is invested in a portfolio of over 70 wind, solar and battery storage projects with aggregate net generating capacity of over 1.7GW. TRIG is seeking further suitable investment opportunities which fit its stated Investment Policy.

Further details can be found on TRIG's website at www.trig-ltd.com .

Investment Manager

TRIG's Investment Manager is InfraRed Capital Partners Limited ("InfraRed") which has successfully invested in over 200 infrastructure projects since 1997. InfraRed is a leading international investment manager focused on infrastructure and real estate. It operates worldwide from offices in London, Hong Kong, New York, Seoul, Sydney and Mexico City. With over 190 professionals it manages in excess of USD 12 billion of equity capital in multiple private and listed funds, primarily for institutional investors across the globe. InfraRed is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The infrastructure investment team at InfraRed consists of over 85 investment professionals, all with an infrastructure investment background and a broad range of relevant skills, including private equity, structured finance, construction, renewable energy and facilities management.

InfraRed implements best-in-class practices to underpin asset management and investment decisions, promotes ethical behaviour and has established community engagement initiatives to support good causes in the wider community. InfraRed is a signatory of the Principles of Responsible Investment.

Further details can be found on InfraRed's website at www.ircp.com .

Operations Manager

TRIG's Operations Manager is RES (" Renewable Energy Systems"), the world's largest independent renewable energy company.

RES has been at the forefront of wind energy development for over 38 years, with the expertise to develop, engineer, construct, finance and operate projects around the globe. RES has developed or constructed onshore and offshore wind, solar, energy storage and transmission projects totalling more than 17GW in capacity. RES supports over 6.3GW of operational assets worldwide for a large client base. Headquartered in Hertfordshire, UK, RES is active in 10 countries and has over 2,000 employees engaged in renewables globally.

RES is an expert at optimising energy yields, with a strong focus on safety and sustainability. Further details can be found on the website at www.res-group.com .

 

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