Neoen (ISIN: FR0011675362, Ticker: NEOEN), one of the world’s leading producers of exclusively renewable energy, announces it has completed the financing of a 1.5 GW portfolio of diversified renewable energy assets, raising over AU$ 1.1 billion of debt with maturity of 5 years and 7 years. The deal is one of the largest for a renewable energy portfolio in Australia. It covers a significant portion of Neoen’s high-quality, diversified portfolio of Australian solar, wind and battery storage assets. The debt raised allows the refinancing of approx. AU$700 million of single asset-level debt with the remainder dedicated to the financing of new assets, the first of which is Collie Battery Stage 1 (219 MW / 877 MWh) in Western Australia.
The transaction was well received as a result of the portfolio’s high levels of contracted revenue and its asset mix of three different technologies across five states. The financing package provides Neoen with further flexibility to grow the platform in the future. Debt is being provided by a group of 11 major Australian and international lenders including ANZ, Bank of China, Clean Energy Finance Corporation, CBA, China Construction Bank Corporation, The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, ING, Mizuho, MUFG Bank, Societe Generale and Westpac.
The portfolio of operating assets incorporates 3 solar farms (Numurkah Solar Farm in Victoria, Western Downs Green Power Hub in Queensland and Coleambally Solar Farm in New South Wales) and 4 wind farms (Bulgana Green Power Hub in Victoria and Hornsdale Wind Farms 1, 2 and 3 in South Australia).
The first new asset financed though this packaged debt is Collie Battery Stage 1, Neoen’s first major project in Western Australia and its first 4-hour long duration battery globally. It has a 197 MW / 4-hour capacity services contract with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Construction of Collie Battery is underway and on track for completion in Q4 2024.
Neoen is the largest renewable energy company in Australia with 3.75 GW of assets currently under construction or in operation. With an extensive development pipeline, Neoen’s ambition is to reach 10 GW in operation or under construction by 2030 in Australia, with a multibillion-dollar forward investment plan. Its target is to have highly competitive assets in each of its three technologies (solar, wind and battery storage) in every state, and to leverage this multi-technology portfolio to help accelerate Australia’s energy transition.
Louis de Sambucy, Neoen Australia’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to announce this landmark financing of a portfolio of Neoen assets, and we sincerely thank all our lenders for their trust and commitment. This transaction demonstrates the unique combined value of our portfolio and strengthens our business model of long-term owner and operator. It provides a solid foundation for achieving our ambition of 10 GW in Australia by 2030.”
Xavier Barbaro, Neoen’s Chairman and CEO, concluded: “I would like to congratulate the Neoen Australia team on completing this major portfolio financing, which is the largest one in Neoen’s 15 year history. It demonstrates Neoen’s unparallelled ability to create value, thanks to its maturing and diversified asset portfolio, and thus provide a catalyst for our future growth in Australia and around the world”.
