The two agreements relate to the construction of the wind farm located in Minnesota, which will have an installed capacity of 200 MW, requiring a total equity investment of approximately 305 million USD.
Under the terms of the equity partnership agreement, EFS Prairie Rose, a GE Capital subsidiary, will invest approx. 156 million USD for a 51% stake in the project whereas Enel Green Power North America will contribute approx. 149 million USD for a 49% stake. Enel Green Power North America’s stake can increase by an additional 26% in 2012 and 2013.
Enel Green Power North America and EFS Prairie Rose signed a capital contribution agreement of approx. 190 million USD with a syndicate led by J.P. Morgan.
Enel Green Power S.p.A. (“EGP”) has announces the closing of an equity partnership agreement between its US subsidiary, Enel Green Power North America, Inc. (“EGP NA”), and EFS Prairie Rose, LLC (“EFS Prairie Rose”), a GE Capital subsidiary, for the construction of the Prairie Rose wind farm in northern Rock County, Minnesota.
The project, which requires a total equity investment of approximately 305 million US dollars, will have a total installed capacity of 200 MW and is supported by a long term power purchase agreement (PPA).
Under the terms of the equity partnership agreement, EFS Prairie Rose will invest approximately 156 million US dollars for a 51% stake in the project whereas EGP NA will contribute approximately 149 million US dollars for a 49% stake and serve as project manager. EGP NA has an option to purchase from EFS Prairie Rose up to an additional 26% ownership stake in the project on specific dates in 2012 and 2013.
The equity partnership agreement is supported by a Parent Company guarantee of EGP.
In addition, EGP NA and EFS Prairie Rose signed a capital contribution agreement with a syndicate led by J. P. Morgan, including Wells Fargo Wind Holdings LLC and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, whereby the syndicate commits to a tax equity contribution of approximately 190 million US dollars for the Prairie Rose Wind project. The syndicate members will release funds at the commercial operation date expected in the fourth quarter of 2012, subject to fulfillment of requirements outlined in the capital contribution agreement, and upon funding will become partners in the project with limited voting rights. The syndicate members’ equity interest will allow them to obtain a percentage of the tax and financial benefits attributed to the project.
The Prairie Rose Wind project is the first project to be developed by Geronimo Wind Energy under a strategic partnership agreement signed between EGP NA and Geronimo in 2009. The Prairie Rose Wind project will generate enough power to avoid the emission of approximately 650,000 tons of CO2 per year according to US Environmental Protection Agency methodology. The wind farm will help Minnesota meet its target of generating 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
EGP provided a Parent Company guarantee, not extended to the return of the investment, for EGP NA’s obligations under the capital contribution agreement with the J. P. Morgan led syndicate.