Globeleq Reaches Financial Close on South African Renewable Projects

LONDON, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Globeleq Generation Limited (Globeleq), the emerging markets power company, has reached financial close for its three renewable energy projects in South Africa - the 138 megawatt (MW) Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm on the Eastern Cape; the 50 MW photovoltaic (PV) solar farm in De Aar and the 50 MW PV solar farm in Droogfontein, both in the Northern Cape.  Construction is expected to commence shortly and all projects should be fully operational by mid 2014. 

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"This is truly a significant milestone for the South African energy market and we commend the dedicated work of all those involved to reach this stage," Mikael Karlsson, Globeleq's CEO commented. "Globeleq and its consortium partners are looking forward to building sustainable and cleaner sources of electricity for the country and to contributing to the continued growth of the sector.  These projects will bring environmental, social and economic benefits for the nation as a whole."

The three projects are part of the Government of South Africa's ground breaking Renewable Energy IPP procurement program and are among the very first large scale renewable power plants to be built in the country. Globeleq is the strategic equity partner in a consortium comprised of Mainstream Renewable Power, Thebe Investment Corporation, local engineering firms Enzani Technologies and Usizo Engineering and local community trusts.  Old Mutual IDEAS Fund is an additional consortium member in the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm. The projects were originally developed by a joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power and Genesis Eco-Energy.

Eddie O'Connor, Chief Executive of Mainstream Renewable Power said: "Mainstream Renewable Power is delighted to have achieved this significant milestone. The South African government has shown tremendous vision and foresight in creating this new and sustainable industry for South Africa, firmly placing it on the world map for renewable energy generation. Mainstream is fully committed to bringing significant socio-economic benefits to the project areas and clean, free-fuel energy to South Africa."

The projects are financed on a limited recourse basis by a syndicate of lenders lead by ABSA and Barclays. The senior lenders include the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and local institutional investors.  Equity will be invested by Globeleq and its consortium partners. DBSA is backing the Black Empowerment shareholders of the projects and the community trusts.

During construction, the projects are expected to generate hundreds of jobs and, once operational, the project revenues will benefit the local community through socio-economic and enterprise development programmes.  Each year the projects will produce 635 GWh of electricity, enough to supply up to 48,000 households, and will displace approximately 628 thousand tons of carbon emissions. The two 50MW solar projects will be constructed by Siemens under a lump-sum turnkey EPC contract. The Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm will be constructed by Siemens and a South African consortium of Murray & Roberts and Conco.  Construction will be jointly managed across all three projects by Mainstream and Globeleq.

Globeleq Generation Limited: Globeleq is an experienced operating power company, actively developing energy solutions for the emerging markets of Africa and the Americas. The company develops economically sustainable projects that support the continued development of the electric power sector in these regions. Globeleq is solely owned by Actis, the pan-emerging markets private equity firm. For more information go to www.globeleq.com

Mainstream Renewable Power: Mainstream Renewable Power was established to develop wind and solar projects both onshore and offshore globally.  The company is developing over 15,000 MW of projects across seven countries on four continents.  As Europe's leading independent offshore wind developer, the Company is developing over 7.5GW of offshore wind projects in England, Scotland and Germany.  Mainstream employs over 140 staff.  www.mainstreamrp.com

Genesis Eco-Energy: Genesis Eco-Energy is one of South Africa's pioneering renewable energy companies providing project development, management and operations services across a range of renewable energy technologies.    www.genesis-eco.com

SOURCE Globeleq