Natural Power advises Octopus on 149MW portfolio deal

Leading renewable energy and infrastructure consultancy, Natural Power, has advised funds managed by Octopus Investments (“Octopus”) on the acquisition of a 149MW portfolio of four UK-based onshore wind projects.

Giles Dearden, Natural Power’s Director of Due Diligence, said: “We’re delighted to have acted as technical advisors for Octopus in the acquisition of this wind farm portfolio.”

Chris Gaydon, a director on Octopus’ Energy Investments team, said: “We were very pleased with the speed and professionalism of Natural Power’s support throughout this transaction.”

The acquired portfolio includes Blue Energy’s flagship Beinneun Project (109MW) as well as the Cour (21MW), Grange (12.3MW) and Hillhead of Auquhirie (6.9MW) wind farms. All of the projects in the portfolio are supported by the Renewables Obligation Scheme and will provide enough renewable energy to power around 125,000 households.

Blue Energy will continue to manage all of the assets and the acquisition will see the existing external debt retained in all four projects.

Octopus is a major investor in UK renewable energy, with over £2.5 billion AUM in generating assets in solar and onshore wind as well as other technologies such as gas-fired reserve power, biomass and landfill gas. In addition to investing in energy optimisation technologies, it is also a market-disruptive energy supplier through Octopus Energy as it looks to build the country’s next generation energy company. Its aim is to bring together energy generation, distribution and supply capabilities to provide greener, cheaper energy to consumers, and more stable, predictable returns to investors.

Octopus was also advised by CMS (legal) and PwC (financial and tax diligence).