Rio Energy Closes Financing For Serra Da Babilonia Wind Farm

| Sustainable Infrastructure
RIO ENERGY CLOSES FINANCING FOR SERRA DA BABILONIA WIND FARM WITH THE NATIONAL BANK FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (BNDES) IN BRAZIL

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 27th March, 2017: Rio Energy, a leading developer, owner and operator of renewable energy projects in Brazil, formed by leading energy-focused global private equity firm Denham Capital, has signed financing agreements with the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) in Brazil, in the amount of R$ 848 million (~US$270), for the construction of eight wind farms in the Serra da Babilônia Complex.

Located in the municipalities of Morro do Chapéu and Várzea Nova, in the northeastern state of Bahia, the project is expected to start commercial operations in November 2018 and will consist of 95 Wobben E‐92 wind turbines, which together total 223 MW of installed capacity. It is estimated that Serra de Babilonia will generate approximately 1,400 direct jobs as well as indirect jobs in the supply chain, construction and operation phases.  The financing will also support the construction of road accesses, a substation, and a transmission line as well as provide for the possibility of issuance of infrastructure debentures

Marcos Meireles, CEO and co-founder of Rio Energy, noted, “We are very pleased to be working together with BNDES on this important infrastructure project. The Serra da Babilônia complex will bring Rio Energy close to 500 MW in operation, a result that strengthens Brazilian wind power generation and creates social and economic development opportunities for the region.”

Scott Mackin, Partner and Co-President of Denham Capital, added, “Rio Energy is a testament to our strategy of backing the best teams that can deliver low cost power generation in high growth economies.  We are further delighted to have shared this co-investment opportunity with our existing limited partners, bringing total co-investment commitments to more than $170 million.”

In addition to Serra de Babilonia’s 223 MW now under construction, Rio Energy has two operating wind complexes, Eólicas Caetité (54 MW) in Bahia and Eólicas Itarema (207 MW) in Ceará, as well as a 2 GW portfolio of projects in the pipeline.

About Denham Capital

Denham Capital is an energy and resources private equity firm with more than $8.5 billion in invested and committed funds in the power, oil and gas, and mining industries.   Denham has backed the successful development of numerous power projects across the globe, from wind and solar in South Africa, Italy, Brazil, Uruguay and Australia to thermal generation in the Philippines and Africa.  Denham’s projects have won Reuters Project Finance International Power Asia-Pacific Deal of the Year and Africa Deal of the Year, Euromoney Project Finance Magazine APAC Power Deal of the Year and European Solar Deal of the Year. For more information about Denham Capital, visit www.denhamcapital.com.

About Rio Energy

Formed by Denham Capital in 2012, Rio Energy is committed to a sustainable future through the development, construction and operation of renewable energy generation projects with the highest quality standards, creating social and economic value for local communities and stakeholders. For more information, visit www.rioenergyllc.com.