Sembcorp Industries to Acquire 658MW of Operational Wind and Solar Assets in China
Sembcorp Industries, through its wholly owned subsidiary Sembcorp Energy (Shanghai) Holding Co. Ltd, signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire a 98% interest in a portfolio of operational wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) assets from CGN Capital Partners Infrastructure Fund III and its affiliates for a consideration (net of external debt financing) of approximately RMB 3.3 billion (approximately S$700 million). CGN Capital Partners Infrastructure Fund III is an unlisted private equity infrastructure fund focused on renewable energy infrastructure assets in China.
The portfolio of wind and solar assets with a total gross installed capacity of 658MW will provide Sembcorp with a scalable renewable platform to drive further growth in China. Located in energy demand centres Hebei, Henan and Shandong provinces, the assets are contracted and are eligible for fixed feed-in tariffs under the China renewable energy policy.
“The acquisition of this renewables growth platform in China is an important step towards our target to have 10GW of gross installed renewables capacity by 2025. We are focused on the execution of our growth strategy across our markets to achieve our brown to green transformation,” Wong Kim Yin, Group President & CEO, Sembcorp Industries said.
Alex Tan, CEO China, Sembcorp Industries added “China is the world’s largest renewables market, and a priority growth market for Sembcorp. With this acquisition, our renewables portfolio in China will double in gross capacity from 725MW to 1,400MW of wind and solar assets. This scalable platform will boost our growth in China and support the building of our operational and technical capabilities.”
The consideration for the transaction was determined on a willing-buyer willing-seller basis, considering the operational quality, financials and cashflow generation of the assets via customary valuation techniques. The final consideration would be adjusted based on the audited financials at completion of the transaction. Sembcorp’s investment will be funded through a mix of internal cash resources and external borrowings. Completion of the acquisition is expected in the first half of 2022 and is subject to conditions precedent including regulatory approvals.
This acquisition is in the ordinary course of business of Sembcorp Industries and is not expected to have a material impact on the earnings per share and net asset value per share of Sembcorp Industries for the financial year ending December 31, 2021.
