Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), on behalf of the funds Copenhagen Infrastructure II (CI-II) and Copenhagen Infrastructure III (CI-III) is to divest a 25% stake in the Taiwanese 595MW Changfang and Xidao (CFXD) offshore wind farm.
Global Power Synergy Public Company (GPSC) will acquire the stake through its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Renewable Synergy Company Limited.
CI-II and CI-III will continue as joint majority owners in the project and lead the construction phase towards commercial operations in 2024.
GPSC operates as a subsidiary and innovative power flagship of PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), the largest energy company in Thailand.
By partnering with GPSC, CFXD also contributes to the New Southbound Policy of Taiwan by enhancing the cooperation between Taiwan and Thailand within the area of renewable energy.
Located 13-15 km off the coast of Changhua County in Taiwan, the CFXD wind farm reached financial close in February 2020.
Construction of the offshore wind park with a high share of local Taiwanese content is progressing as planned towards commercial operations date in Q1 of 2024.
CFXD is financed through a combination of equity and senior loans from a consortium of 25 international and Taiwanese banks and financial institutions as well as 6 export credit agencies.
CIP acquired the CFXD project in 2017.
The project obtained grid allocation in 2018 and entered into a 20-year PPA with the state-owned Taiwan Power Company in 2019. Local Taiwanese suppliers and partners include Century Iron & Steel Industrial Company Limited, TECO, Hung Hua Construction and CTCI.
GPSC will, through GRSC, enter into the project as a co-owner alongside CI-II and CI-III, as well as the local Taiwanese shareholders, which hold a minority stake in the project.
CIP will continue to lead the project through its construction phase.
Once operational, the offshore wind farm will deliver clean, renewable power to over 600,000 households per year in Taiwan.
CIP Partner Michael Hannibal said: “We welcome GPSC as co-investor and partner in CFXD.
“The transaction underpins the significant potential of offshore wind in Taiwan and in other Asian countries and recognizes CIP’s value add to the project during the development phase and initial construction phase.”
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, filing for Foreign Investment Approval and filings with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan R.O.C.
Following closing of the transaction, CI-II and CI-III will remain controlling shareholders and operators of the CFXD offshore wind farm.
FIH Partners acted as exclusive financial advisor and White & Case acted as legal advisor to CIP on the transaction.