3i Infrastructure has signed an agreement to invest approximately EUR69m, subject to completion adjustments, in Valorem. Headquartered in Bègles, France, Valorem is a leading independent renewable energy development and operating company.
3i Infrastructure will acquire a 28.5% interest in Valorem and provide further capital to the company through a subordinated debt instrument with the remaining equity being retained by the existing management team led by its founder Jean-Yves Grandidier, and minority shareholders.
Valorem is one of the largest wind developers in France, having developed over 480MW of capacity over the last 10 years. Valorem benefits from a critical mass of operating assets and a strong pipeline of further projects at a well advanced development stage. Its operating assets generate predictable long term cash flows. The current Valorem portfolio has a stable production track record and is spread over the whole of France.
The French wind sector is attractive as it continues to benefit from significant growth, the French national plan forecasting total capacity of 19 GW in 2020 and 26 GW in 2023.
Completion of the transaction is expected by early September.
Valorem was founded in 1994 and is based in Bègles. Valorem is an independent renewable energy operator which develops renewable energy projects for its own account and on behalf of third parties. Its services include technical assistance and development, engineering, construction and operation and maintenance. The company predominantly develops onshore wind farms, as well as photovoltaic systems in France and internationally.
3IN : 3i Infrastructure makes investment in renewable energy company