Ayala to Invest in PHINMA Energy
[January 9, 2019 ] —— AC Energy, Ayala’s energy platform, and PHINMA yesterday inked a mutually strategic agreement in relation to AC Energy’s investment in PHINMA Energy Corporation (“PHEN”).
AC Energy will acquire PHINMA’s combined 51.48% stake in PHEN via a secondary share sale for approximately P3.42bn. This is based on the valuation date of December 31, 2018 and is subject to adjustments. Closing of the Transaction is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, such as regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Philippine Competition Commission, and compliance with applicable tender offer requirements.
AC Energy will also subscribe to approximately 2.632bn PHEN primary shares at par value.
AC Energy and PHEN started a partnership in 2011 for the development, construction and operations of a 244 MW net capacity coal power plant in Calaca, Batangas under South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp.
“PHINMA was one of our early partners when Ayala was new to the power sector. This partnership has prospered over the last eight years and we welcome the opportunity to now integrate PHINMA Energy into AC Energy’s platform as we grow our presence in the power generation sector,” said Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation.
PHINMA President and CEO Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr., said, “PHINMA and Ayala have always enjoyed a strong partnership, making this agreement a welcome culmination of our joint initiatives in the energy sector, as we believe AC Energy is best-positioned to grow the business and take it to the next level. This strategic move likewise allows PHINMA to focus on our rapidly expanding investments and operations in the education and construction materials sectors.”
“This transaction is an important step for AC Energy to achieve 5 GW of Renewables by 2025. The PHINMA Energy platform has significant operating and developmental renewable energy assets, and its large diesel capacity will complement the scaling-up of our renewable projects”, said AC Energy President and CEO Eric Francia.
AC Energy, based on its equity interest in power generation businesses, owns approximately 1.7 GW of generation capacity in operations and under construction. In 2018, AC Energy generated 2,800 GWH of energy, of which 48% was from renewable sources.
PHINMA Energy has an attributable generation capacity of 472 MW and is the third largest stand-alone Retail Electricity Supplier, serving 378 MW of customer demand.
ING acted as exclusive financial advisor for PHINMA in this transaction.
