CASE STUDY: “EOLO” · DEBT ADVISORY · RENEWABLES

PPA, Mezzanine and Senior Debt of 74 MW Greenfield on-shore Wind Portfolio

Agere was appointed as exclusive financial advisor to GREENALIA SA. (“Greenalia”) for the project financing of a greenfield wind portfolio in Spain. The aggregate equity disbursement for the portfolio lays over 38M€, while the subsequent project finance debt exceeds 84M€

TRANSACTION RATIONALE

• Greenalia (ticker “GRN” BM) was awarded in May 2017 auction for 133 MW of wind assets in Spain with zero-floor subsidy, which meant the project was fully exposed to merchant power prices.

PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS

• Greenalia approached the financing of the projects in different phases, adapted to the development stage of each project.
• Several closings within the portfolio, the first took place in August 2019, the second will be in Dec.2020 and, the next one in April 2021.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The transaction highlights Agere’s capability to structure complex transactions involving PPA and non-recourse senior and mezzanine project finance debt.
• After 6-months closing, a PPA and a fully underwriting debt solution, the lender unexpectedly changed its debt-sizing criteria. Leverage was too low for our client. Agere was uniquely able to rapidly secure, within two months, a solution with another lender, Sabadell.
• An innovative two-tranches debt solution was designed: Tranche A a fully merchant and, Tranche B, disbursement optionally if a PPA structure were closed.
• In addition, a sub-holdCo mezzanine is being closed by the end of 2020, while maximising the leverage for Greenalia.
• Playing a main role in assisting our client and Sabadell in the syndication of the loan: Liberbank, Bankinter, EBN Banco de Negocios, Banco CooperativoEspañol S.A.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Definition of the financing strategy, reaching consensus with Greenalia and, the continuous review of the PPA structuring strategy.
• Conducted a highly competitive bidding process with different PPA off-takers, mezzanine lenders and over 6 banks invited, including EIB.
• Prepared and presented Greenalia to the wider lenders community a proposed valuation, scenario analysis, funding schedule, transaction structure and process.
• Assumed primary point of contact for all interested parties, ensuring timely information flow and due diligence management.
• Assisted in the drafting, negotiation and finalization of final term sheets, PPA agreements and financial agreements.
• Reviewed extensive project materials and permits, and coordination with legal, technical and market lenders’ advisors.

TRANSACTION OVERVIEW

Type: PPA and Debt Advisory

Transaction Value: €84m+

Sector: Wind

Location: Spain

Deal Close: August 2019

Advisor: 

Client:

PPA off-taker: Pending

Lenders: