EXCELSIOR, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Excelsior Energy Capital (“Excelsior”), a leading independent North American renewable energy investor, announced today that its North American Renewable Energy Fund (the “Fund”) has executed definitive agreements for the acquisition of 90.1% of Invenergy’s sponsor equity interests in the combined 109 MW Prairie Breeze II and Prairie Breeze III projects (the “Projects”), located in Antelope and Boone Counties, Nebraska. The transaction is expected to close in December 2019 upon certain closing conditions having been met.
The Projects benefit from an over 3-year operating track record having begun operations in late 2015, and early 2016, respectively. The Projects also have 25-year power purchase agreements with Lincoln Electric Systems (Moody’s: AA) and City of Grand Island (Moody’s: AA-), with remaining contract terms of more than 21 years. Bank of America Merrill Lynch is the tax equity investor in the Projects and as of the signing the Projects have no debt in place. The Projects also benefit from proven General Electric (“GE”) wind turbine technology, utilizing the GE 1x Hybrid class turbine.
Invenergy will remain as a non-controlling part-owner in the Projects and Invenergy Services will continue to provide Operations & Maintenance and Asset Management for the Projects through a long-term contract. Invenergy developed and operates several other projects in the surrounding area and its Invenergy Services business operates and maintains one of the largest fleets of GE turbines in the United States.
Chris Moakley, Managing Partner of Excelsior, said: “Excelsior is pleased to announce this agreement to acquire the Prairie Breeze II & III wind projects from Invenergy. This acquisition aligns well with Excelsior’s strategy to acquire high-quality renewable power projects with stable, long-term contracted cash flows from experienced partners like Invenergy.” Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe served as legal counsel for Excelsior on the acquisition, led by Partner, Kristin Seeger.
About Excelsior Energy Capital
Excelsior Energy Capital is a pure-play renewable energy infrastructure fund focused on long-term investments in wind and solar power plants in North America. The Excelsior Team brings over 70 years of combined experience and a comprehensive set of strategic, financial, legal and operational expertise; making Excelsior Energy Capital a valuable partner for developers and operators, and a trusted manager for investors. For more information, visit http://www.excelsiorcapital.com.
About Invenergy
Invenergy drives innovation in energy. Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, own, and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation and storage facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Invenergy's home office is located in Chicago and it has regional development offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Europe.
Invenergy and its affiliated companies have developed more than 24,000 megawatts of projects that are in operation, construction or contracted, including wind, solar, natural gas-fueled power generation and energy storage projects. For more information, please visit www.invenergyllc.com.
