GCP Infrastructure Investments
Limited
("GCP Infra" or the "Company")
LEI:
213800W64MNATSIV5Z47
Onshore Wind Disposal and Capital
Allocation Policy Update
30 January
2025
Onshore Wind
Disposal
GCP Infra is pleased to announce it has
disposed of its interest in two operational onshore wind farms,
Pates Hill Wind Farm and Milton Keynes Wind Farm, with total
generating capacity of 28MW (the "Projects"). The Projects are
located in Cumbria and Milton Keynes, each with installed capacity
of 14MW, powered by seven Vestas V80 2.0MW turbines. The Projects
benefit from Renewable Obligation (RO) subsidy support and have
been operational since 2010. The Projects have been acquired
by OnPath Energy, a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset
Management.
The disposal proceeds are made up of a day one
consideration and a deferred element, the payment of which is
linked to milestones. Without factoring in any deferred amounts,
the realised IRR of the Company's investment is 9.7%. Including
deferred amounts (and including the expected time of receipt of
such amounts) increases the IRR to 10.3%.
The disposal proceeds (including deferred
amounts) represent c. 88% of the valuation included in the net
asset value at 30 September 2024. Day one cash proceeds of c. £16.5
million have been generated, with a further c. £1.3 million of
deferred proceeds, and c. £1.0 million of tax benefits
released.
Proceeds from the disposal will be used in line
with the Company's published capital allocation policy and are
expected to contribute to the Company's commitment to return at
least £50 million to shareholders by way of share buy
backs.
Capital
Allocation Policy Update
The Board of Directors of the Company
reconfirmed its commitment to the Capital Allocation Policy in its
2024 Annual Report and Accounts. Continuing to prioritise a
material reduction in leverage, as well as reducing equity-like
exposures and exposures in certain sectors, whilst also
facilitating the return of £50 million of capital to
shareholders.
This disposal represents further progress in
facilitating the Company's execution on its capital allocation
policy, decreasing equity exposure to merchant electricity prices
and providing cash resources to support the share buyback
programme. The Board and Gravis Capital Management Limited continue
to focus on additional opportunities for refinancings or disposals
within the portfolio in order to achieve the targets, set out in
the capital allocation policy.
Andrew Didham, Chair of GCP Infra
commented:
"This
disposal reinforces the Company's commitment to its capital
allocation policy and illustrates the attractive risk-adjusted
returns the Company has been able to achieve for shareholders. The
disposal is in line with the stated objectives of the capital
allocation policy and the Board remain focused on the continued
recycling of capital from the Company's assets as has been set out
in such policy."
For further information, please
contact:
Gravis Capital Management Limited
Philip Kent
Max Gilbert
Cameron Gardner
|
+44 (0)20
3405 8500
|
RBC
Capital Markets
Matthew Coakes
Elizabeth Evans
|
+44 (0)20
7653 4000
|
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited
Edward Gibson-Watt
Jonathan Wilkes-Green
|
+44 (0)20
7710 7600
|
Burson Buchanan Limited
Helen Tarbet
Henry Wilson
Samuel Adams
|
+44 (0)20
7466 5000
|
Notes to the Editor
About GCP Infra
GCP Infra is a closed-ended
investment company and FTSE-250 constituent, its shares are traded
on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company's
objective is to provide shareholders with regular, sustained,
long-term distributions and to preserve capital over the long term
by generating exposure to UK infrastructure debt and related and/or
similar assets.
The Company primarily targets
investments in infrastructure projects with long term, public
sector-backed, availability-based revenues. Where possible,
investments are structured to benefit from partial inflation
protection. GCP Infra is advised by Gravis Capital Management
Limited.
GCP Infra has been
awarded with the London Stock
Exchange's Green Economy Mark in recognition of its contribution to
positive environmental outcomes.