Commencement of Formal Sale Process
Summary by AI BETAClose X
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION
THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FALLING UNDER RULE 2.4 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE") AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE CODE AND THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT ANY FIRM OFFER WILL BE MADE, NOR AS TO THE TERMS ON WHICH ANY OFFER WILL BE MADE
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 July 2026
NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited ("NESF" or the "Company")
Commencement of Formal Sale Process
NESF announced on 11 March 2026 the results of a strategic review, on 3 June 2026 the Company's updated NAV as at 31 March 2026 and on 22 June 2026 the Company's Full Year Results & Annual Report.
Notwithstanding the performance of its underlying portfolio of assets, NESF continues to have a challenging experience as a listed company, including a share price discount to its reported NAV that has persisted for several years and impacted its ability to raise new equity capital to fund its future growth. The board of NESF (the "Board") also believes that it is challenged by the increased focus on shorter-term investment horizons by some parts of the public equity markets compared to the longer-term nature of its investments.
Since the announcement of the strategic review the Board has continued to engage with major stakeholders to understand their views on the Company's future strategic options. Having evaluated this feedback and numerous alternatives to maximise value for shareholders, the Board believes that it would be in shareholders' interest to investigate the sale of NESF and has therefore decided to commence a "Formal Sale Process" of the Company (as referred to in Note 2 on Rule 2.6 of the Takeover Code (the "Code")) (the "Formal Sale Process").
NextEnergy Capital IM Ltd, NESF's investment manager, fully supports the Board's decision.
The Board is not in any active discussions with any potential offeror and is not considered to be in receipt of an approach from any potential offeror as at the date of this announcement.
The Takeover Panel has agreed that any discussions with third parties in relation to an offer for the Company may take place within the context of a "Formal Sale Process" (as referred to in Note 2 on Rule 2.6 of the Takeover Code).
Formal Sale Process
As part of the Formal Sale Process, the Board invites expressions of interest from bona fide parties regarding a potential transaction for the entire issued ordinary share capital of the Company. The Formal Sale Process is being managed by the Board, which is being advised by Rothschild & Co. Parties interested in participating in the Formal Sale Process or otherwise engaging with the Company should contact Rothschild & Co, using the contact details below.
The Company intends to conduct a process focused on those parties which understand and value the full potential of the Company.
Parties interested in participating in the Formal Sale Process will be required to enter into a non-disclosure and standstill agreement with the Company on terms satisfactory to the Board and on the same terms, in all material respects, as other interested parties before being permitted to participate in the Formal Sale Process. The Company intends to provide interested parties with certain information on its business, following which interested parties would be invited to submit their proposals to the Board. NESF will update the market in due course regarding timings for the Formal Sale Process.
The Takeover Panel has granted a dispensation from the requirements of Rules 2.4(a), 2.4(b) and 2.6(a) of the Takeover Code such that any interested party participating in the Formal Sale Process will not be required to be publicly identified as a result of this announcement and will not be subject to the 28 day deadline referred to in Rule 2.6(a) of the Takeover Code for so long as it is participating in the Formal Sale Process. Interested parties should note Rule 21.2 of the Takeover Code, which prohibits any form of inducement fee or other offer-related arrangement, and that the Company, although it may do so in the future, has not at this stage requested any dispensation from this prohibition under Note 2 of Rule 21.2.
The Board reserves the right to alter any aspect of the process as outlined above or to terminate the process at any time and in such cases will make an announcement as appropriate. The Board also reserves the right to reject any approach or terminate discussions with any interested party at any time.
Shareholders are advised that this announcement does not represent a firm intention by any party to make an offer under Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code and there can be no certainty that any offers will be made as a result of the Formal Sale Process, that any sale will be concluded, nor as to the terms on which any offer may be made. Shareholders are advised to take no action at this time.
As a consequence of this announcement, an 'offer period' has now commenced in respect of the Company in accordance with the Takeover Code, and the attention of shareholders is drawn to the disclosure requirements of Rule 8 of the Takeover Code, which are summarised below in "Disclosure Requirements of the Takeover Code".
The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of NESF is Tony Quinlan, Chairman of NESF.
Further announcements will be made as appropriate.
Enquiries
|
Rothschild & Co |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7280 5000 |
Inside Information
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by NESF to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) no. 596/2014 (as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018). On the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
Notice related to financial adviser
N.M. Rothschild & Sons Limited ("Rothschild & Co"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for NESF and for no one else in connection with the subject matter of this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than NESF for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in connection with the subject matter of this announcement.
Disclosure requirements of the Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4). Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.
Rule 26.1 disclosure
In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Code, a copy of this announcement will be available (subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in restricted jurisdictions) at www.nextenergysolarfund.com by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the business day following the date of this announcement. The content of the website referred to in this announcement is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.
Rule 2.9 information
In accordance with Rule 2.9 of the Code, NESF confirms that as at the close of business on 13 July 2026 its issued share capital consisted of (i) 575,200,043 ordinary shares of no par value (excluding ordinary shares held in treasury); and (ii) 200,000,000 preference shares of no par value which are non-voting and carry the right to convert into ordinary shares from 1 April 2036. The International Securities Identification Number for NESF's ordinary shares is GG00BJ0JVY01. NESF's LEI is 213800ZPHCBDDSQH5447.
Additional Information
This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to this announcement or otherwise. Any offer, if made, will be made solely by certain offer documentation which will contain the full terms and conditions of any offer, including details of how it may be accepted. The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom and the availability of any offer to shareholders of NESF who are not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of relevant jurisdictions. Therefore, any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or shareholders of NESF who are not resident in the United Kingdom will need to inform themselves about, and observe any applicable requirements.
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