Wednesday, October 4, 2017

First Gen, new partners craft strategic growth trajectory for EDC



Published October 3, 2017, 10:01 PM By Myrna M. Velasco

With the deal finally closed on their investment tie-up, Lopez firm Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and parent First Gen Corporation are cementing next the growth trajectory via capacity expansions that they will undertake with newly minted partner Philippine Renewable Energy Holdings Corporation (PREHC).
The new EDC shareholders under PREHC are investment funds managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) and Arran Investment Pte. Ltd., affiliate of GIC Pte Ltd. They acquired 31.7 percent of the company’s common shareholdings for a transaction worth $1.3 billion.
Following the shares divestment, First Gen qualified that it remains the biggest equity holder, hence, it will still control the day-to-day operations of the company.
In a statement to the media, EDC’s parent company has noted that the “strategic partnership will bring together First Gen’s significant experience in the power, utilities and energy sectors in the Philippines, with PREHC’s extensive global infrastructure expertise, to support the long-term growth of EDC.”
EDC is generally into renewable energy developments, and the company has indicated the investment areas where it would continually pursue opportunities, such as in geothermal, wind and solar power installations.
First Gen’s continuing development pursuit in the gas industry could also be an added investment play for the Lopez group’s new investment fund-partners.
As noted by First Gen and EDC Chairman Federico R. Lopez, “we believe MIRA and GIC are the right partners for this juncture in our corporate history.”
He stressed that “they’re long-term and astute capital, they have complementary perspectives and they’re willing to help us push the frontiers of innovation as we build EDC into a platform that’s well-positioned for a dynamically changing energy landscape.”

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