Pembina and KKR agree to merge Western Canadian processing assets

KKR

Combines three complementary platforms to create a premier western Canadian processing entity   

  • New joint venture to be operated, managed and majority owned by Pembina 

CALGARY, ALBERTAMarch 1, 2022 – Pembina Pipeline Corporation (“Pembina”) (TSX: PPL; NYSE: PBA) and KKR today announced the signing of definitive agreements to combine their respective western Canadian natural gas processing assets into a single, new joint venture entity (“Newco”), which will be owned 60 percent by Pembina and 40 percent by KKR’s global infrastructure funds. The transaction brings together three complementary platforms to create a premier western Canadian processing entity with the ability to serve customers throughout the Montney and Duvernay trends from north central Alberta to northeast British Columbia.

Included in the transaction are Pembina’s wholly owned field-based natural gas processing assets, Veresen Midstream which is jointly owned by Pembina and funds managed by KKR, and Energy Transfer Canada (“ETC”) which is jointly owned by Energy Transfer and funds managed by KKR. Newco has entered into an agreement to acquire Energy Transfer’s interest in ETC, which is expected to be completed concurrently with the closing of the other transactions. Collectively, the ascribed value of these transactions totals approximately C$11.4 billion, excluding the value of assets under construction.

The transaction establishes meaningful alignment between Pembina and KKR and positions the joint venture to realize significant efficiencies and economies of scale. Newco will be managed and operated by Pembina, and will be led by Chris Rousch, current President and CEO of Veresen Midstream.

“We have developed a great, trusted relationship with Scott Burrows, Jaret Sprott and the industry-leading team at Pembina and we are thrilled to be deepening that partnership with today’s strategic combination,” said Brandon Freiman, Partner and Head of North American Infrastructure at KKR. “Importantly, we share Pembina’s views on the positive and essential role that Canadian natural gas plays within the global energy transition and we are pleased to combine these assets to create a stronger platform to meet that opportunity.”

With the support of Pembina and KKR, Newco will integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations into its governance structure and long-term business strategy. Newco assets will be included in Pembina’s target of achieving a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 2030, against a 2019 baseline. Pembina’s policies and management systems related to environmental protection; health and safety; diversity, equity and inclusion; cybersecurity; Indigenous and community relations; and other ESG matters will be extended to include Newco’s assets not currently managed by Pembina.

“Pembina has enjoyed a strong relationship with KKR as a partner in Veresen Midstream over the past four years. The formation of this new joint venture is a natural extension of our relationship,” said Scott Burrows, Pembina’s President and CEO. “We are extremely pleased to be creating this exciting new company with KKR to drive real synergies and deliver a wider suite of commercial opportunities.”

Paul Workman, Director at KKR, added, “The industrial logic of combining these three complementary businesses in a fully-aligned partnership is compelling. We believe that a well-capitalized, customer-oriented private partnership between KKR and one of Canada’s leading infrastructure companies is incredibly well positioned to create value for our investors, customers and the communities in which we operate.”

Completion of the transactions is subject to approval under the Competition Act (Canada) and other customary closing conditions. Closing is expected to occur late in the second quarter or third quarter of 2022. Newco’s permanent name is expected to be announced prior to closing.

RBC Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is acting as legal advisor to Pembina. TD Securities is acting as financial advisor and Torys LLP is acting as legal advisor to KKR.

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About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

 

Media Contact

Cara Major or Miles Radcliffe-Trenner

(212) 750-8300

media@kkr.com

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DIF Capital Partners acquires 80% stake in French waste-to-energy project Dombasle Énergie

DIF

DIF Capital Partners (“DIF”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of an 80% stake in Dombasle Énergie, a French greenfield waste-to-energy project, located in Dombasle-sur-Meurthe in the North-East of France. The investment is made through DIF Infrastructure VI, alongside Solvay (10%) and Veolia (10%).

The project comprises the replacement of three coal-fired boilers with a new boiler room equipped with two furnaces running on 350,000 tonnes per year of refuse-derived fuel (“RDF”) produced from various types of nonhazardous waste that cannot be recycled.

The EUR 225 million capex project is scheduled to become operational before the end of 2024 and will directly and indirectly employ over 1,000 people. The project will combust 344kt per annum and has a capacity of 181 MW thermal power and 17.5 MW electrical power from a steam turbine, which will be reused for the industrial process. As the first project of its kind in France, Dombasle Énergie will (i) cut the site’s carbon footprint by about 50% (240,000 tonnes of CO2 reduction) per year and (ii) create a new outlet for waste (primarily from the Grand Est and neighbouring regions) that was initially non-recyclable and which will now be transformed into green energy.

Gijs Voskuyl, Partner and head of DIF’s core infra investment strategies: “With increasing pressure on landfill capacity and concerted community efforts to reduce landfill levels, waste-to-energy represents a significant opportunity for the generation of affordable green power across the globe. We are delighted to partner with Solvay as well as Veolia in this ambitious project which will significantly reduce Solvay’s carbon footprint as well as reuse 350,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste, of which otherwise the majority would have been landfilled. Renewable energy investments are an essential part of DIF’s investment mandate, evidencing the company’s desire to positively contribute to a more sustainable future”.

The project secured long term non-recourse debt financing from Credit Agricole Leasing & Factoring’s subsidiary Unifergie and Bpifrance. Dombasle Énergie also benefited from the support of the Grand Est region and French environmental authority ADEME, as well as other private partners.

Advisors on the transaction included De Pardieu Brocas Maffei (legal) and H3P (financial) for the sponsors. The lenders were advised by Herbert Smith Freehills (legal), SETEC (technical) and Marsh (insurance). Other advisors included Sigée Finance (model audit), Willkie Farr & Gallagher (tax audit) and ESTER (hedging).

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent investment manager, with more than €9.8 billion in assets under management across nine closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in infrastructure companies and assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • Traditional DIF funds, of which DIF Infrastructure VI is the latest vintage, target, equity investments with long-term contracted or regulated income streams including public-private partnerships, concessions, utilities, and (renewable) energy projects.
  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized economic infrastructure assets in the telecom, energy transition, and transportation sectors.

DIF Capital Partners has a team of over 180 professionals, based in ten offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, New York, Paris, Santiago, Sydney, and Toronto. For more information please visit www.dif.eu.

More information:

Jorda Zuurendonk, Marketing & Communication Manager

j.zuurendonk@dif.eu

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Ratos company Aibel receives extension of Equinor frame agreement

Ratos

Equinor has decided to exercise a contract option for maintenance and modifications services on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). Aibel estimates that the value of the extension is approx. NOK 5.5 billion. Aibel will work on continuous improvements, digitalization of processes, and contribute to a sustainable development of the NCS.

Aibel’s frame agreements with Equinor for maintenance and modifications comprise work on ten offshore installations and five onshore facilities, and the agreements constitute a major part of Aibel’s activities. The current agreements expire at the end of February 2023, and the new extension prolongs the agreement until February 2026.

“As owners, we are proud of Aibel and thankful to Equinor for the award. It means securing jobs and it is a message of strength for Aibel’s future operations,” says Christian Johansson Gebauer, member of the board of Aibel and President Business Area Construction & Services at Ratos.

Going forward, Aibel and Equinor will continue to work on several common objectives within HSE, efficiency improvements, new technologies and implementation of digital tools. In addition, there will be a strong focus on low-carbon deliveries and ensuring safe, smart and cost-effective deliveries.

“The frame agreement is very important for Aibel. Maintenance and modifications contract provides significant activity, not at least in North of Norway, and we are very pleased to have continued our long-term relationship with Equinor. The agreement offers interesting tasks and good predictability for the approximately 1,000 employees who regularly work on M&M services from our offices, yard and on off- and onshore installations,” says Aibel President and CEO, Mads Andersen.

About Aibel
Aibel is a full-range supplier of innovative and sustainable solutions. The company builds and maintains critical infrastructure for energy companies and is one of the largest suppliers on the Norwegian continental shelf. Aibel holds a leading position within electrification of offshore oil and gas installations and onshore processing plants and is a significant supplier to the European offshore wind industry. More than 4,300 skilled employees work close to the customers at the company’s offices in Norway, Thailand and Singapore. In addition, Aibel owns two modern yards in Haugesund, Norway, and in Laem Chabang, Thailand, with significant prefabrication and construction capacity.

For further information:
Christian Johansson Gebauer, Board member in Aibel and President Business Area Construction & Services, Ratos, +46 8 700 17 00
Mads Andersen, President and CEO, Aibel, +47 982 96 501
Josefine Uppling,VP Communication, Ratos, +46 76 114 54 21

About Ratos
Ratos is a business group consisting of 13 companies divided into three business areas: Construction & Services, Consumer and Industry. In total 2020, the companies have approximately SEK 36 billion in sales. Our business concept is to develop companies headquartered in the Nordics that are or can become market leaders. We enable independent companies to excel by being part of something larger. People, leadership, culture and values are key focus areas for Ratos. Everything we do is based on Ratos’s core values: Simplicity, Speed in Execution and It’s All About People.

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Blackstone Launches Sustainable Resources Credit Platform

Blackstone

Firm Intends to be a Global Leader in Providing Sustainable Finance Solutions for Companies Driving the Energy Transition

Blackstone Sees Opportunity to Invest an Estimated $100 Billion in Energy Transition and Climate Change Solutions Over the Next Decade Across its Businesses

NEW YORK – January 21, 2022 – Blackstone today announced the launch of Blackstone Credit’s Sustainable Resources Platform focused on investing in and lending to renewable energy companies and those supporting the energy transition. Blackstone Credit is one of the world’s largest providers of private credit in the energy transition marketplace. This initiative brings together Blackstone Credit’s scale and expertise in these areas with the firm’s ESG and Portfolio Operations capabilities to deliver value by providing new solutions and sources of capital to companies driving the broader energy transition. The Sustainable Resources Credit Platform complements the firm’s existing private equity, energy and infrastructure strategies that are investing in companies that support the energy transition and climate change solutions.

Governments and companies around the world are committing to decarbonization at an accelerated pace and over 90% of global emissions are covered by government net zero commitments (i). An estimated $100 trillion will be required through 2050 to decarbonize the global economy (ii).

As one of the world’s largest sources of private capital, Blackstone has a decade-long history of investing in renewable energy and climate change solutions. Since 2019, Blackstone has committed over $15 billion in investments that the firm believes are consistent with the broader energy transition. Blackstone anticipates that its capital deployment in this space will continue to grow. Across its businesses, Blackstone sees an opportunity to invest an estimated $100 billion in energy transition and climate change solutions projects over the next decade.

Blackstone Credit’s Sustainable Resources Platform is a dedicated credit platform that seeks to address the growing challenges, investment needs and expertise required by this historic transition. It is led by Robert Horn, who has been with Blackstone Credit since its founding, and has been named Global Head of the Sustainable Resources Group for Blackstone Credit. Simon Hayden has joined the firm from EIG, and he is a Senior Managing Director for Blackstone Credit in London and leads the Sustainable Resources activities in Europe.

The Sustainable Resources Platform includes more than 30 investment professionals across North America and Europe, supported by the portfolio operations teams at Blackstone. The Platform will also leverage the firm’s considerable ESG expertise, bringing ESG professionals into the investment process. Newly hired Global Head of ESG for Blackstone, Jean Rogers, the founder of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and Rita Mangalick, Head of ESG for Blackstone Credit, will advise investment teams, oversee ESG diligence and support other initiatives for the platform.

The Platform will invest across the credit spectrum in investment grade credit, non-investment grade credit, preferred and convertible securities. It will focus on a broad range of sectors, including residential solar and home efficiency; renewable electricity generation and storage; products, services, technologies and natural resources that enable the energy transition; decarbonized transportation; sustainability linked loans; green financings that fund environmental projects; and other energy infrastructure investments.

Jon Gray, President and COO of Blackstone, said: “The launch of this platform demonstrates our conviction in the investment opportunities presented by the energy transition. Companies globally are shifting to meet this demand. We believe private capital is essential to supporting decarbonization goals and our scale allows us to play a major role.”

Dwight Scott, Global Head of Blackstone Credit, said: “Blackstone Credit’s unmatched scale is being unleashed to support companies that are driving the energy transition. We are excited to launch this dedicated financing platform to build on the over $15 billion that Blackstone has committed since 2019 in investments that we believe are consistent with the broader energy transition.”

Robert Horn, Global Head of the Sustainable Resources Group for Blackstone Credit, said: “We believe large scale and flexible capital are essential to funding decarbonization. We look forward to providing efficient capital and Blackstone’s expertise to companies across a range of sectors that we believe are driving this important transition.”

Simon Hayden, Senior Managing Director, Blackstone Credit, said: “I am delighted to join the world class team at Blackstone Credit and drive its European activities in sustainable resources.”

Blackstone more broadly has been an active participant in the market with numerous recent debt and equity investments across its businesses, including:

  • Committed approximately $3 billion in Invenergy Renewables, the largest developer of renewable energy projects in North America.
  • Financed over 350 MW of solar across 18 states through an investment in Altus Power, a solar power company that provides clean electricity and energy storage to commercial and residential customers across the United States.
  • Invested in ClearGen, a company that provides flexible capital for microgrids and other energy transition solutions for commercial and industrial customers.
  • Invested in Transmission Developers Inc. (TDI) to develop the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), an underground electric transmission line spanning approximately 339 miles between Canada and New York City. The project will deliver 1,250 MW of clean power to New York City, which is still reliant on fossil fuels for approximately 85 percent of its electricity consumption.

In January 2021, Blackstone announced its Emissions Reduction Program to reduce carbon emissions by 15% in aggregate over three years for all new assets where the firm controls energy usage. To accomplish this goal, Blackstone has developed what it believes is a robust decarbonization program designed to increase value by reducing energy use and carbon emissions at scale in a way that is measurable and tangible. Blackstone is also developing a carbon accounting system and a capability to track and report on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reductions. This will allow the firm to measure its impact and provide its investors with critical data to help them to meet their own climate targets and financial goals.

Forward Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, our operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “opportunity,” “indicator,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “scheduled,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe these factors include but are not limited to the impact of the novel coronavirus, as well as those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in our periodic filings. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

About Blackstone
Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative investment firm. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $731 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

Contact
Kate Holderness
Kate.holderness@blackstone.com
646-482-8774

[i] Source: Climate Action Tracker
[ii] Source: IRENA World Energy Transitions Outlook, published March 2021.

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A2A and Ardian sign two binding agreements for wind and photovoltaic portfolios

Ardian

21 JANUARY 2022 INFRASTRUCTURE ITALY, MILAN

The parties sign two agreements for an investment of 452 million euros for a total capacity of 352 MW.

A2A and Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today signed a binding agreement under which A2A will acquire from Ardian funds participations in 3New&Partners, Daunia Calvello and Daunia Serracapriola, companies comprising a portfolio of wind farms in Italy with a total capacity of 335 MW (195 MW pro-rata with respect to Ardian’s stakes), for an Equity Value of 265 million euros.

The two parties have also signed a second binding agreement for a further portfolio, 4new, owned by a fund managed by Ardian and consisting of wind farms and photovoltaic plants for a total of 157 MW, of which 117 MW are located in Italy and the remaining 40 MW in Spain: the acquisition by A2A provides for a total Equity Value of 187 million euro.

“With these plants A2A consolidates its position as the second largest operator in renewables and its presence in Italy, increasing its activities in Sardinia, Puglia, Lazio and Campania. The operation enables the Group to record significant growth in wind power and boost photovoltaics. Today’s agreement and the transactions concluded in the last 12 months allow us to anticipate by two years the objectives of increasing the generation of green energy as set out in our Business Plan. In order to achieve independence from foreign markets in the supply of gas we need to accelerate the development of renewables, a key factor in the ecological transition. Our objective is to continue to invest in this sector and contribute to the sustainable development of the country.” RENATO MAZZONCINI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF A2A

“We are very proud of what we achieved, during the last 15 years, with the development of our Italian platforms having today half a gigawatt of assets. Ardian has been a pioneering investor in the renewable field in Italy, supporting growth and energy transition. We are happy that these transaction fit in the A2A transition plan towards renewables. We remain firmly committed to sustainable investments in green energy and we are continuously looking to renew, diversify and develop our renewable energy portfolio worldwide.” MATHIAS BURGHARDT, MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND HEAD OF ARDIAN INFRASTRUCTURE

The wind farms covered by the agreements between A2A and Ardian are located in Sardinia, Puglia, Campania and the Spanish region of Catalonia, while the photovoltaic plants are located in Puglia, Lazio and the Spanish region of Andalusia.

The completion of both transactions is subject to the fulfilment of customary conditions precedent and is expected indicatively by the end of June 2022.

Ardian Infrastructure was assisted by L&B Partners (M&A), L&B Avvocati Associati (Legal) and EOS (Technical Advisor).
A2A was assisted by Citi (M&A), Cleary Gottlieb (Legal), Studio Rinnovabili (Technical Advisor) and KPMG (Accounting and Tax Advisor).

 

ABOUT A2A

A2A is the Life Company that deals with energy, water and the environment, elements fundamental to life, thanks to the circular use of natural resources. It provides the areas and communities in which it operates with expertise and advanced technologies to improve people’s quality of life and contribute to the sustainable growth of the country. Listed on the Italian Stock Exchange, with over 12,000 employees, A2A is a leader in Italy in the environmental sector, from sorted waste collection to integrated waste management and material and energy recovery. The second largest energy producer in Italy by its installed capacity, A2A also manages the sale and distribution of electricity and gas, the integrated water cycle, district heating, electric mobility, public lighting, energy efficiency interventions and solutions for the development of Smart Cities. The results for the 2020 financial year report a Gross Operating Margin (EBITDA) of € 1.2 billion and Net Profit of € 364 million and investments totalling € 738 million, up 18% on 2019.

 

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house with $120 billion assets under management across Europe, the Americas and Asia. The company, which is majority-owned by its employees, is driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and focused on generating for its investors superior performance globally. Through its commitment to shared outcomes for all stakeholders, Ardian’s activities fuel individual, corporate and economic growth around the world. Holding close its core values of excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship, Ardian maintains a truly global network, with more than 800 employees in 15 offices across Europe (Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich), the Americas (New York, San Francisco and Santiago) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul). The company manages funds on behalf of approximately 1,200 clients across five pillars of investment expertise: Funds of Funds, Direct Funds, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Private Debt.

PRESS CONTACTS

A2A

GIUSEPPE MARIANO

ufficiostampa@a2a.eu+39-02 7720.4583

INVESTOR RELATIONS

ir@a2a.eu+39-02 7720.3974

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HENT signs major collaboration contract with FREYR for new battery factories in Norway

Ratos

The Norwegian construction company HENT AS, which is 73% owned by Ratos, has signed a major collaboration contract with FREYR Battery Norway AS. The contract pertains to the construction of new factories to manufacture batteries that will reduce carbon emissions from the rapidly expanding global market for electric mobility.

FREYR is planning to build factories to produce up to 43 GWh of battery cell capacity by 2025 and up to 83 GWh in annual capacity by 2028. The first factories will be established in the Mo i Rana Industrial Park in Norway.

The first stage in the development is the construction of a 13,000-square-metre customer qualification plant. Stage two of the establishment process in Mo i Rana is to construct the first gigafactory (GF) of approximately 100,000 square metres, which following a gradual increase in production lines will have a total annual production capacity of 11.9 GWh.

“As HENT’s owner, we are pleased with this development. HENT is going from strength to strength, and is securing significant collaboration contracts. The company is known for its collaborative model and expertise in complex projects, which is obviously attractive when landmarks are to be built or new ground broken. Further proof of this is the commission to be part of constructing the battery factories,” says Christian Johansson Gebauer, Chairman of the Board of HENT and President Business Area, Construction and Services, Ratos.

FREYR and HENT have entered into a collaboration contract for the first coordination phase. The contract will extend until the final investment decision has been taken for the gigafactory. The intention is to then to proceed with an agreement between the parties to also collaborate in the second phase.

About HENT AS
HENT is a leading construction company that mainly works with new construction of public and commercial real estate. HENT focuses on project development, project management and purchasing. Its projects are carried out with their own project administration and in collaboration with a knowledgeable network of quality-assured subcontractors. They conduct projects throughout Norway and in selected segments in Sweden and Denmark.

About FREYR Battery Norway AS
FREYR is a pioneering manufacturer of clean battery solutions for a better planet. FREYR is driven by cost-efficient hydro and wind power and designs and manufactures high-density, cost-stable lithium ion batteries with a lower carbon footprint for the rapidly expanding global market for electric mobility, stationary energy storage and marine and aviation applications.

For further information, please contact:
Christian Johansson Gebauer
Chairman of the Board of HENT and President Business Area, Construction & Services, Ratos
+46 8 700 17 00

Josefine Uppling
VP Communications, Ratos
+46 76 114 54 21

About Ratos:
Ratos is a business group consisting of 13 companies divided into three business areas: Construction & Services, Consumer and Industry. In total 2020, the companies have approximately SEK 36 billion in sales. Our business concept is to develop companies headquartered in the Nordics that are or can become market leaders. We enable independent companies to excel by being part of something larger. People, leadership, culture and values are key focus areas for Ratos. Everything we do is based on Ratos’s core values: Simplicity, Speed in Execution and It’s All About People.

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Invenergy Announces Approximately $3 Billion Investment from Blackstone Infrastructure Partners to Accelerate Renewable Development Activities

Blackstone
  • Blackstone’s commitment is one of the largest renewable investments in North American history
  • Investment will provide significant capital to drive an accelerated build-out of Invenergy’s clean energy platform
  • Since 2019, Blackstone has committed nearly $13 billion in investments that Blackstone believes are consistent with the broader energy transition
  • CDPQ and Invenergy management remain majority owners of the company and Invenergy will continue as managing member

NEW YORK, NY, CHICAGO, IL, AND MONTRÉAL, QC – JANUARY 7, 2022 – Today, Blackstone Inc. (NYSE: BX) announced that funds managed by Blackstone Infrastructure Partners have entered into a definitive agreement with Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and Invenergy for an approximately $3 billion equity investment in Invenergy Renewables Holdings LLC (“Invenergy Renewables” or “the company”), the largest private renewable energy company in North America. Blackstone’s investment will provide capital to accelerate Invenergy’s renewables development activities. CDPQ and Invenergy management remain majority owners of the company and Invenergy will continue as managing member.

Invenergy Renewables is one of the largest and most well-respected renewable energy developers, with over 175 projects totaling nearly 25,000 megawatts developed across four continents, focused on long-lasting partnerships with utilities, financial institutions and commercial and industrial customers. The generation projects developed by the company power the equivalent of 8.5 million homes. Invenergy has received numerous industry recognitions, notably a #4 global rank for “Top Power Generators” based on renewables capacity by Energy Intelligence New Energy in 2020. The company’s developed projects have offset approximately 167 million tons of carbon dioxide, or approximately the annual emissions of the state of New York. Invenergy Renewables has a significant development and construction pipeline, and its affiliate Invenergy Transmission is solving power delivery challenges by advancing some of the world’s most innovative transmission infrastructure projects. The company is building both the largest wind and solar projects in the United States, that combined will deliver nearly 3 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy by 2023.

Commenting on the transaction, Sean Klimczak, Global Head of Infrastructure at Blackstone, said: “Blackstone is committed to investing behind the energy transition and Invenergy is the clear independent leader in the renewable energy sector. We look forward to a long-term partnership with the Invenergy and CDPQ teams and are excited to invest alongside them to support the accelerated build-out of Invenergy’s clean energy portfolio.”

Matthew Runkle, Senior Managing Director in the Infrastructure Group at Blackstone, added: “We are proud to have the opportunity to work with Michael Polsky and the world-class team at Invenergy. Invenergy has built an outstanding platform for delivering clean energy – which is essential to our future – and we are honored to be a part of their mission.”

Jim Murphy, President & Corporate Business Leader at Invenergy, said: “The Invenergy team is pleased to welcome Blackstone, a leader in the renewable investment space, as our partner. We greatly value our long-term relationship with CDPQ and are thrilled to continue to accelerate the clean energy transition with Blackstone’s additional investment and capabilities.”

Emmanuel Jaclot, Executive Vice President and Head of Infrastructure at CDPQ, added: “For nearly a decade, we have worked alongside Invenergy to build a key global player in the energy transition, in the United States and around the world. Michael Polsky, Jim Murphy and their team raise the bar when it comes to developing and operating sustainable energy solutions, making their company a true innovator and leader in its field. We are delighted to welcome our long-term partner Blackstone as a new investor, combining our global reach and resources to help position Invenergy for continued growth.”

The investment in Invenergy Renewables is the most recent example of a number of clean energy companies Blackstone is proud to support. Since 2019, Blackstone has committed nearly $13 billion in investments that Blackstone believes are consistent with the broader energy transition. Additionally in 2020, Blackstone announced a plan to reduce carbon emissions by 15% in aggregate within the first three years of ownership across all new investments where Blackstone has control over energy usage.

Lazard and CIBC served as M&A advisors to Blackstone and Kirkland & Ellis as legal advisor to Blackstone. Mayer Brown was legal advisor to CDPQ, and Sidley & Austin and White & Case represented the company and Invenergy.

About Blackstone
Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $731 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

Blackstone Infrastructure Partners
Blackstone Infrastructure Partners is an active investor across energy, transportation, digital infrastructure and water and waste infrastructure sectors. We seek to apply a long-term buy-and-hold strategy to large-scale infrastructure assets with a focus on delivering stable, long-term capital appreciation together with a predictable annual cash flow yield. Our approach to infrastructure investing is one that focuses on responsible stewardship and stakeholder engagement to create value for our investors and the communities we serve.

About CDPQ
At Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at June 30, 2021 CDPQ’s net assets total CAD 390 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

About Invenergy Renewables
We are innovators building a sustainable world. Invenergy Renewables and its affiliated companies develop, own, and operate large-scale sustainable energy generation and storage facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Invenergy’s home office is located in Chicago, and it has regional development offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Poland and Scotland. Invenergy has successfully developed more than 25,000 megawatts of projects that are in operation, construction or contracted, including wind, solar power generation facilities as well as transmission and advanced energy storage projects. For more information, please visit www.invenergy.com.

Contact
For Invenergy
Beth Conley
bconley@invenergy.com
312-429-2529

For Blackstone
Paula Chirhart
Paula.Chirhart@Blackstone.com
347-463-5453

For CDPQ
Conrad Harrington
Senior Director – International Media Relations
514-847-5493
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Apollo Funds Announce First Close of $816 Million Investment Supporting NextEra Energy Partners’ Acquisition of 50% Interest in 2.5 GW Renewable Energy Portfolio

Transaction Leverages Apollo’s Infrastructure Expertise, Flexible Capital and Institutional Relationships to Help Fuel the Clean Energy Transition

NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo (NYSE: APO) today announced that funds managed by its affiliates (the “Apollo Funds”) have made a first close on a $816 million in a convertible equity portfolio financing agreement with NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) in a 2.5 GW contracted renewable energy generation portfolio (the “Portfolio”). Participation in the investment by leading pensions and insurers underscores the attractiveness of the assets and a shared interest among Apollo and some of the world’s leading institutions to support the clean energy transition.

“In our view, this transaction has many hallmarks of how Apollo is helping to facilitate the clean energy transition, combining our infrastructure expertise, strong institutional relationships and a flexible, scaled capital base to commit in size and with speed to transactions of this nature,” said Geoff Strong, Apollo Partner and Co-Head of Infrastructure and Natural Resources.

Craig Farr, Apollo Partner and Head of Capital Solutions, said, “This transaction showcases our ability to bring bespoke, scaled investment opportunities to our institutional partners, while serving as a solutions partner to NextEra, helping them to redeploy capital into new, earlier stage renewable energy opportunities.”

The Portfolio consists of 13 utility-scale wind and solar assets, three of which include battery storage, that are geographically diversified across nine US states. The assets have in place long-term power purchase agreements with diversified, investment-grade counterparties. NextEra, one of the largest global renewable energy producers, will provide asset management and O&M services to the portfolio, aligning Apollo with a world-class operating partner.

Apollo, through its managed funds and accounts, has been one of the most active alternative investors in energy transition equity, debt and hybrid investments, ranging from renewable energy assets and infrastructure, including offshore and onshore wind, solar and storage, to carbon reduction technologies, to helping finance the transformation of traditional energy companies toward a cleaner future.

In the transaction, Allen & Overy LLP and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal counsel to the Apollo Funds.

About Apollo
Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. We seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade to private equity with a focus on three business strategies: yield, hybrid and opportunistic. Through our investment activity across our fully integrated platform, we serve the retirement income and financial return needs of our clients, and we offer innovative capital solutions to businesses. Our patient, creative, knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of September 30, 2021, Apollo had approximately $481 billion assets under management. To learn more, visit www.apollo.com.

Apollo Contact Information

For Investors:
Noah Gunn
Global Head of Investor Relations
(212) 822-0540
IR@apollo.com

For Media:
Joanna Rose
Global Head of Corporate Communications
(212) 822-0491
Communications@apollo.com


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Source: Apollo Global Management, Inc.

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Arcus announces an investment into Momentum Energy Group A/S, AEIF2’s eighth investment

Arcus

22 December 2021

London, United Kingdom (22 December 2021) – Arcus Infrastructure Partners (“Arcus”) is pleased to announce that Arcus European Infrastructure Fund 2 SCSp (“AEIF2” or the “Fund”) has completed an investment into Momentum Energy Group A/S (“Momentum” or the “Company”), an early mover in managing and optimising well located, late life, on-shore wind turbines. The Fund has acquired its stake in Momentum from the founder of the Company in a bilateral transaction and will own the majority of the business alongside the founder and key management.  

Today Momentum is a market leading, full scope provider covering all aspects of asset management of solar and wind projects during the entire value chain, and each phase of the asset’s technical and economic lifetime: Planning, Construction, Operational, Asset Life Extension, Repowering, Decommissioning and Sales & Sourcing of Projects. The Group operates ground and roof-based PV plants as well as offshore and onshore wind parks. These wide-ranging capabilities are backed up by the strong management team with almost 20 years’ experience, making Momentum among the pioneers within asset management of solar plants and wind turbines. 

Momentum owns a portfolio of 169 on-shore wind turbines with an installed capacity of c. 130MW. The portfolio has a capacity-weighted average age of 20 years and is being acquired in part due to its repowering and lifetime extension potential for up to c. 300MW. Furthermore, Momentum has a greenfield renewal energy development pipeline of c. 600MW across Denmark and Germany (predominantly on-shore wind and some solar), and the potential to repower an offshore/nearshore wind site in Sweden for up to 70MW. Momentum also manages a portfolio of c. 200 external asset management contracts under short-term rolling arrangements. 

Commenting on the acquisition, Ian Harding, Managing Partner and Head of Origination at Arcus said: “We are extremely pleased to announce our investment in Momentum. This marks our eighth investment for AEIF2 and the third investment in the energy sector. The investment in Momentum represents a strong fit with the Fund’s investment strategy of targeting mid-market, value-add infrastructure businesses in Europe with a strong ESG profile. Acquiring a renewable energy business adds another dimension to the fund portfolio and demonstrates Arcus’ ability to use our strong sector knowledge to identify and invest in high quality infrastructure businesses”. 

Stefano Brugnolo, Arcus Partner and Head of Energy Origination who led the transaction said: “The Origination Team has for more than two years been actively exploring potential investments in the European wind segment, an area that offers large opportunities to maximise the value of existing renewables capacity.  In early 2021, the Arcus Energy Origination team identified Momentum as an experienced operator with a unique mix of skills that makes it an ideal entry point for a value-add investment strategy. We secured a period of exclusivity and worked effectively to diligence the business and execute on a bilateral basis. We are delighted to be working with Kim and the senior management of Momentum on the future growth of the business to consolidate the fragmented market and undertake repowering, upgrade, lifetime extension and scale opportunities”. 

Kim Madsen, CEO of Momentum, commented: “We are delighted to get Arcus onboard as our new majority shareholder. Momentum has grown rapidly over the last few years, growing from 23 employees to +65 employees in just the last 18 months. To be able to continue this strong growth also in the years ahead, keeping Momentum as a key player in a more fragmented and mature renewable energy market, it was necessary to bring more international and financial resources onboard, if we are to release Momentums full potential. I am proud of my Team and on my own behalf, that Arcus decided to go all the way by investing a majority stake in Momentum, but also to team up with my colleagues and me, trusting that we are the right platform to grow from, to participate in forming a greener future for all of us”. 

22 December 2021  

 

Arcus Media Contacts: 

Debbie Johnston  E: debbie@sprengthomson.com 

T: +44 7532 183811 

Callum Spreng E: callum@sprengthomson.com    

T: +44 7803 970103 

   

About Momentum 

Established in 2005 by the CEO and founder Kim Madsen, Momentum rapidly developed to become a successful wind asset management services business. The unique business model and valuable niche expertise in the aging wind segment allowed for the development of a unique range of optimisation solutions. Today Momentum comprises three key verticals that complement each other, and is an integrated wind business with unique expertise and broad experience across development, investment, asset management and technical services.  

About Arcus 

Arcus Infrastructure Partners is an independent fund manager focused solely on long-term investments in European infrastructure. Arcus invests on behalf of institutional investors through discretionary funds and special co-investment vehicles and, through its subsidiaries, currently manages investments with an aggregate enterprise value in excess of EUR 19bn (as of 30 September 2021).  Arcus targets mid-market, value-add infrastructure investments, with a particular focus on businesses in the digital, transport and energy sectors. 

www.arcusip.com

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Audax Private Equity Completes the Sale of RelaDyne, Inc. to American Industrial Partners

Audax Group

Audax Private Equity (“Audax”) today announced that it has completed the sale of RelaDyne, Inc (“RelaDyne” or the “Company”) to American Industrial Partners (“AIP”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

RelaDyne is a leading provider of lubricants and distributor of less-than-truckload fuel, diesel exhaust fluid, chemicals, and other related products in the United States. RelaDyne is also an international provider of sustainability and reliability services to the commercial and industrial end-markets. The Company focuses on preventive maintenance, lowering total cost of ownership, decarbonization, and enhancing the sustainability and reliability of customers’ critical equipment and assets, and serves over 25,000 customers throughout the broad industrial, commercial, and automotive end-markets.

Don Bramley, Managing Director at Audax, said, “We are proud to have partnered with Larry and the rest of the RelaDyne team to help build the Company into a leading provider of lubricants and related services. Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, the Company significantly expanded its product portfolio, service capabilities, and geographic presence over the last five years. We are thankful to the team for all their efforts and wish them well.”

Larry Stoddard, Chief Executive Officer of RelaDyne, said, “This is another great step in the continued evolution and strategy for RelaDyne since our formation in 2010. We thank Audax for their leadership over the past five years and look forward to partnering with AIP.”

Baird served as lead M&A advisor and Stephens served as co-advisor to RelaDyne. Kirkland & Ellis served as legal advisor to RelaDyne and Audax Private Equity.

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