ABU DHABI, 10th October, 2013 (WAM) -- Masdar Energy U.K., a wholly owned subsidiary of Masdar, Abu Dhabi?s renewable energy company, today announced the completion of a 12 year limited-recourse project financing of up to GBP 266 million for its stake in phase one of the London Array. The landmark financing is the first time that a limited-recourse structure has been completed for an un-incorporated joint venture within the renewable energy industry.
Inaugurated on 4th July, 2013, the 630-megawatt London Array is the world?s largest offshore wind farm. The project is a 2.2 billion Euro un-incorporated joint venture between shareholders DONG Energy, E.ON and Masdar Energy UK. "Reaching financial close on a project of this scale and complexity marks another milestone in Masdar?s dedication to breaking new ground within the renewable energy sector," said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. "The London Array is delivering half a million U.K. homes with clean energy and further reinforcing the U.A.E.?s position as a responsible and diversified energy supplier.""While the London Array financing is a great success, it is critical to the future of the renewable energy industry that we see a deepening level of engagement from the financial sector," said Dr. Al Jaber. "We need increased collaboration between institutional investors and the renewable energy industry to drive down cost and accelerate adoption." The project financing includes five international lenders, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., KFW-IPEX Bank, Siemens Bank GMBH, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and the UK Green Investment Bank PLC.Masdar and its shareholder Mubadala were advised by Norton Rose Fulbright and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.. Advisors to the lenders included Allen & Overy and SgurrEnergy.
The London Array, located in the outer Thames Estuary, started generating power in October 2012. The 175th and final turbine was brought online in March 2013 and the wind farm is now supplying around 500,000 U.K. homes with electricity each year. More than 75 organisations and 6,700 individuals helped or were involved in delivering the London Array.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
