Investment in a Renewable Power Facility in the US
16 July 2021
SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust plc
("SEEIT" or the "Company")
Investment in a Renewable Power Facility in the United States
SEEIT is pleased to announce that it has agreed to invest approximately $31 million in a large-scale green gas-to-grid project in Indiana, US. The investment involves the acquisition of an operating renewable power facility in Reynolds, and further investment in the expansion of the facility to enable the project to produce green gas. SEEIT's investment will be in the form of senior and subordinated debt.
The anaerobic digestion ("AD") facility has been operating since 2012. It currently converts cattle manure and food waste into 6 MW of renewable power and sells this power under an 8 year take-or-pay fixed price Power Purchase Agreement ("PPA") to NIPSCO, an investment grade public utility.
A portion of the investment will go towards increasing the capacity of the existing AD facility as well as installing a commercially proven gas upgrading facility to enable the project to inject green gas into the gas grid ("RNG"), which is to be sold under long-term offtake agreements. The existing plant will continue to operate during the expansion, providing an underlying cashflow until the expansion is completed in 2023.
The project is operated by Bio Town Ag, an experienced operator in the sector with a successful track record in developing, constructing and operating AD and RNG projects. The project is owned by Bio Town Biogas and First Farmers Bank & Trust and Opal Fuels (a Fortistar company) will be co-lenders in the transaction.
The investment in the facility will increase the supply of green gas within the gas grid, thus directly reducing greenhouse gas emissions arising from the existing supply and consumption of energy, in line with the Company's strategy and investment policy. The operational and planned investment in the facility will continue to help deliver cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy solutions to the end user.
The investment supports SEEIT's total returns target as well as its progressive dividend policy.
The acquisition will be funded from the Company's revolving credit facilities.
Commenting on the acquisition, Jonathan Maxwell, CEO of Sustainable Development Capital LLP, said: "We are very pleased to have added a green gas production facility in the US to our portfolio. This is a market that we have been watching closely for some time and this acquisition will further diversify SEEIT's portfolio by technology, counterparty, and project stage; as well as supporting SEEIT's dividend policy. We look forward to the opportunity to expand the facility and increase the supply of green gas within the gas grid, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing returns for our shareholders.''
For Further Information
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Sustainable Development Capital LLP Jonathan Maxwell Purvi Sapre Keith Driver
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T: +44 (0) 20 7287 7700
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Jefferies International Limited Tom Yeadon Gaudi le Roux
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T: +44 (0) 20 7029 8000
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TB Cardew Ed Orlebar Joe McGregor |
T: +44 (0) 20 7930 0777 M: +44 (0) 7738 724 630 |
About SEEIT
SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust plc is the first UK listed company of its kind to invest exclusively in the energy efficiency sector. Its projects are primarily located in the UK, Europe and North America and include, inter alia, a portfolio of cogeneration assets in Spain, a portfolio of commercial and industrial solar and storage projects in the United States, a regulated gas distribution network in Sweden and a district energy system providing essential and efficient utility services on one of the largest business parks in the United States.
The Company aims to deliver shareholders value through its investment in a diversified portfolio of energy efficiency projects which are driven by the opportunity to deliver lower cost, cleaner and more reliable energy solutions to end users of energy.
The Company is targeting an attractive total return for shareholders of 7-8 per cent. per annum (net of fees and expenses and by reference to the initial issue price of £1.00 per Ordinary Share), with a stable dividend income, capital preservation and the opportunity for capital growth. The Company is targeting a dividend of 5.62p per share in respect of the financial year to 31 March 2022. SEEIT's last published NAV was 102.5p per share as at 31 March 2021.
Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.
Further information can be found on the Company's website at www.seeitplc.com .
Investment Manager
SEEIT's investment manager is Sustainable Development Capital LLP ("SDCL"), an investment firm established in 2007, with a proven track record of investment in energy efficiency and decentralised generation projects in the UK, Continental Europe, North America and Asia.
SDCL is headquartered in London and also operates worldwide from offices in New York, Dublin, Madrid, Hong Kong and Singapore. SDCL is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Further information can be found on at www.sdclgroup.com .
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