OTPP and PSP-backed Cubico acquires British solar parks

Cubico Sustainable Investments has acquired ten U.K. operational solar projects totaling 65 megawatts from British Solar Renewables. Financing of eight of the parks was arranged in a facility with National Australia Bank. The other parks are expected to enter the facility shortly, taking total debt for the acquired assets to £60 million. With the deal, Cubico’s portfolio now comprises 29 wind, solar and water infrastructure assets located in eight countries. Cubico was launched in May 2015 with the backing of Canada’s Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) and PSP Investments in partnership with Banco Santander SA.

PRESS RELEASE

Cubico Sustainable Investments completes acquisition and financing of UK Solar Parks from British Solar Renewables

Cubico Sustainable Investments (“Cubico”), a global leader in renewable energy and water investment, has announced that it has acquired ten UK operational solar projects totalling 65MW from the UK’s largest fully integrated solar developer, British Solar Renewables (“BSR”). As a result of this acquisition, Cubico’s portfolio now comprises 29 assets located across eight countries, with a total gross capacity of 1,900 MW installed across a breadth of technologies (wind, solar and water infrastructure).

David Swindin, Head of EMEA at Cubico said: “This acquisition adds to our growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the UK, which is now our second largest market globally. The transaction with BSR was completed swiftly and we now look forward to enjoying a close relationship with the company”.

The acquired portfolio of solar parks is principally located in the South West of England and includes Scotland’s largest solar park in County Angus. The parks were designed, built and connected to the grid by BSR’s EPC and ICP arms.

BSR will remain actively involved with the solar parks as the operations and maintenance provider, part of a long-term relationship between the two companies established by the deal.

Cubico has also closed the financing of eight of the solar parks under a portfolio financing facility with National Australia Bank, the further two parks are expected to enter the facility shortly, taking the total debt to £60m on the total acquired BSR portfolio.

David Peill, Commercial Director at BSR, said: “We are delighted to have completed the successful sale of this portfolio of solar assets to Cubico, and look forward to continuing to build our relationship with such a capable purchaser and financier of renewable energy assets. The sale of these completed projects enables us to recycle our capital and focus on developing out our 1.2 ROC pipeline of projects using our in-house EPC and ICP teams”.

BSR specialises in the construction of large-scale solar parks and has a strong track record of delivery. The 12 months to 31st March 2016 saw the development and construction of 189MW, including the UK’s largest private wire solar connection, which now brings BSR’s total installed PV capacity to more than 530MW.

Media contacts
For Cubico Sustainable Investments:
Cubico Communications
+44 (0)203 805 3939
Ben Backwell / Emerson Clarke
+44 (0)203 727 1000
Cubico@fticonsulting.com
For BSR:
Beverley Rodbard-Hedderwick
+44 (0)145 822 4900

About Cubico
Founded in May 2015, Cubico Sustainable Investments is a major player in the renewable energy sector. Cubico’s global portfolio in eight countries is worth an estimated US$ 2 billion, with an installed gross capacity
of 1.9 GW. The company has a presence in different geographic locations, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, and Uruguay. Cubico is headquartered in London and has offices
in São Paulo (Brazil), Milan (Italy) and in the Federal District of Mexico.
www.cubicoinvest.com

About BSR
British Solar Renewables (BSR) is a clean tech company at the forefront of the innovation in generation, storage, movement and supply of energy that’s transforming the sector globally. As the UK’s leading integrated
solar developer, we have constructed over 530 MW since the company’s launch in 2010.
www.britishrenewables.com

Photo courtesy of British Solar Renewables