By Modupe Gbadeyanka
American Capital Energy & Infrastructure (ACEI) has announced the sale of its energy investments, which it invested in over a three year period.
ACEI explained that the deal is expected to generate a compounded annual return of 18.1 percent and a 1.32x multiple on invested capital, after the payment of near-term deferrals which are expected to be realized.
The investments had a weighted average hold period of less than 16 months and will yield aggregate proceeds of $108.6 million.
ACEI’s exited portfolio consisted of interests in Azura Power Holdings Ltd, BMR Energy LLC, the Taiba Ndiaye Wind Project and PT Arkora Hydro.
ACEI’s stake in Azura, the majority shareholder of the Azura-Edo IPP, a 1,500 MW power station complex in construction in Edo State, was sold to Actis, the global growth markets investor.
In addition, Actis’ portfolio company, Lekela Power, acquired ACEI’s co-development rights and sole rights to invest in the 158 MW Taiba Ndiaye Wind Project in Senegal.
ACEI sold its investment in BMR, which operates a 36 MW wind generation project in Jamaica, to an affiliate of the Virgin Group.
PT Arkora Hydro, a developer and operator of an 84 MW portfolio of 10 mini-hydro projects across Indonesia, was sold to investors affiliated with the majority owners.
CEO and co-founder of ACEI, Mr Paul Hanrahan, explained that, “The sale of the four projects ACEI invested in the last three years validates the market thesis that the emerging markets have tremendous potential.
“Even though we had to exit these investments much earlier than planned, the returns were very strong.
“It has always been our goal to support areas of our world that are in dire need of infrastructure investments.
“We also wanted to demonstrate that these investments not only help the local economy, but can also be secure and lucrative investments for investors.
“I believe our results prove this model to be true and I am immensely proud of what ACEI has achieved.”
Adedapo Adesanya