The Berenberg Green Energy Junior Debt Fund II finances the acquisition of the 50 MW solar park purchased by Amarenco from Hanwha Energy. The fund is providing the Amarenco Group with junior debt for the construction and operational phases of the plant with a term of five years. The private bank Berenberg acts as investment advisor to the fund.
The Las Naranjillas project is located in Carmona, Seville with an area of 137 hectares covered by 121,800 photovoltaic modules. The plant will produce enough energy to meet the electricity demand of around 14,000 homes. In addition, 51,977 tonnes of CO2 will be saved from emission into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the consumption of 10,192 vehicles. Spain and Portugal have some of the best irradiation levels in Europe and the projects can operate without State subsidy. 180 jobs were created during construction of the photovoltaic plant.
The acquisition of “Las Naranjillas” is the first investment of the Amarenco Group in the Spanish photovoltaic market and part of a photovoltaic business plan that foresees investments in both Spain and Portugal. John Mullins, Executive Chairman of Amarenco Group stated: “Las Naranjillas sets up the first milestone on our relationship with Berenberg and we look forward to finance deals such as this with Berenberg in the future. Iberia is now a key market focus for Amarenco going forward and we expect this market to be a significant part of the balance sheet going forward.”
Torsten Heidemann, Head of Infrastructure & Energy of Berenberg said, “We are pleased to be able to support the Amarenco Group in this first joint project, which marks the beginning of the
business relationship between our companies. With the Berenberg Green Energy Junior Debt Funds, we offer investors the opportunity to participate in the financing of wind and solar parks
in the late-stage development, construction and operational phases. In total, we have already financed more than 100 wind and solar projects in Europe as well as in Japan, Australia and the US in the last couple oy years.”
Ignacio Hernando, Chief Investment Officer of Amarenco Spain stated: “Amarenco has now an important presence in Spain and intends to acquire more meaningful projects in Spain in the next five years. We welcome Berenberg as an ideal structuring partner going forward.”