3iN to fund acquisition of Alkane Energy

RNS Number : 6099G

3i Infrastructure PLC

05 March 2018

 

3i Infrastructure announces follow-on investment in Infinis and acquisition of Alkane Energy

5 March 2018

3i Infrastructure plc ("3i Infrastructure" or "the Company") today announces that it intends to increase its investment in Infinis by c. £125 million to fund Infinis's acquisition of Alkane Energy ("Alkane"), an independent power generator from both coal mine methane ("CMM") and Reserve Power operations and the largest generator from CMM in the UK. Completion is subject to third party approval.

Infinis is the largest generator of electricity from landfill gas in the UK, in which 3i Infrastructure invested in December 2016. The merger of Alkane with Infinis will create a business with significant scale, offer operational improvement opportunities and the potential to further elevate Alkane's generation performance and growth potential.

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, Alkane has approximately 40 employees. The company operates the largest portfolio of CMM sites in the UK, capturing methane from mothballed and closed coal mines and converting it into electricity. As at December 2017, Alkane had 160MW of installed generating capacity operating across 32 sites across the UK.

Alkane performs a vital environmental service, extracting methane from abandoned coal mines that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Further, by using the CMM to generate electricity, Alkane supplies distribution networks with a reliable source of baseload power.

Richard Laing, Chairman, 3i Infrastructure plc, commented:

"We are pleased with today's investment in Alkane. The investment offers an attractive return with a strong cash yield which will contribute to the Company's dividend. It further demonstrates the Investment Adviser's ability to originate bilateral transactions and to build the platform businesses in the Company's existing portfolio."  

Phil White, Managing Partner and Head of Infrastructure, 3i Investments plc, Investment Adviser to the Company, commented: 

"The combination of Alkane with Infinis is compelling, adding an attractive portfolio of generating assets with potential to grow over time, and diversifying Infinis's revenues."

-Ends-

For further information, contact:

Richard Laing	Chairman, 3i Infrastructure plc	[phone]
Thomas Fodor	Investor enquiries	[phone]
Kathryn van der Kroft	Media enquiries	[phone]

Notes to editors:

About 3i Infrastructure plc

3i Infrastructure plc is a Jersey-incorporated, closed-ended investment company, listed on the London Stock Exchange and regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. The Company is a long-term investor in infrastructure businesses and assets. The Company's market focus is on economic infrastructure and greenfield projects in developed economies, principally in Europe, investing in operating businesses and projects which generate long-term yield and capital growth.

3i Investments plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3i Group plc, is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and acts as Investment Adviser to 3i Infrastructure plc.

 

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