OMERS Infrastructure Acquires 49% Of FRV Australia Renewable Energy Platform

Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), a leading global developer of utility-scale renewable energy projects and part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, have announced the sale of a 49% interest in FRV Australia Group to OMERS Infrastructure (the “Transaction”).

Under the terms of the Transaction, OMERS Infrastructure will acquire a 49% interest in FRV’s Australian renewable energy platform, including 637 MWDC of six operational and under construction solar PV assets, located in strong parts of the National Electricity Market and whose energy and green products are contracted with high-quality counterparties, as well as a development pipeline comprising of ~2.7GWDC of solar PV projects and ~1.3GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems assets.

The Transaction represents an important milestone for FRV who has been active in Australia since 2010. It followed a fundraising process started earlier this year and it will allow the company to achieve ambitious further growth plans in the country. The partnership with a top-tier investor such as OMERS Infrastructure is a strong signal of confidence in the high value of FRV’s portfolio of projects and pipelines.

Daniel Sagi-Vela, CEO of FRV commented, “We are delighted to partner with OMERS, a leading global energy investor with proven experience in funding renewables development projects. FRV’s partnership with OMERS will allow us to combine our collective expertise to drive investment and grow our leading position in solar generation in Australia”. Carlo Frigerio, Managing Director of FRV Australia added: “This partnership will accelerate FRV’s consolidation as one of the renewable energy market leaders in the country and also the expansion of our footprint into new technologies”.

Fady Jameel, Deputy President, and Vice Chairman, Abdul Latif Jameel, reiterated, “We look forward to working in partnership with OMERS. Our partnership with OMERS across FRV’s Australian platform will support our continued investment in renewables and renewables-based technologies in Australia. We look forward to combining our skills to deliver on Australia’s renewable energy targets and fast-track the country’s renewable energy transition.

Christopher Curtain, Senior Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, OMERS Infrastructure commented, “In alignment with our long-term strategy, OMERS looks forward to partnering with FRV to develop a multi-technology renewables platform across Australia. We are committed to leveraging our extensive experience as a leading global infrastructure investor and working collaboratively with FRV and the FRV Australian management team to further grow the platform”.

OMERS Infrastructure’s global renewable energy holdings include Leeward Renewable Energy, a growth-oriented renewable energy company that owns and operates a portfolio of 22 renewable energy facilities across nine U.S. states, totaling more than 2 GW of installed capacity.

Leeward is actively developing new wind, solar, and energy storage projects in energy markets across the U.S. OMERS Infrastructure also owns an approximately 19.4% stake in Azure Power Global Limited, a leading independent renewable power producer located in India, with an asset base of ~2 GW of operational capacity and ~5 GW of capacity under construction or awarded.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals with financial close expected by year-end.

Credit Suisse and White & Case acted as exclusive financial and legal advisor to FRV, respectively, while ICA Partners and Herbert Smith Freehills acted as exclusive financial and legal advisor to OMERS Infrastructure, respectively.