Ormat Technologies partners with Northleaf Capital Partners to invest in Power Plants

Ormat Technologies, Inc. announced in early February that its wholly-owned subsidiary Ormat Nevada Inc. has entered into a binding agreement with infrastructure funds managed by Northleaf Capital Partners under which Ormat will contribute certain geothermal and recovered energy generation power plants into a newly established holding company subsidiary, and Northleaf will acquire an approximately 40% equity interest in the JV.

Ormat will raise approximately $175 million from the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015, subject to customary closing conditions.

The power plants that will be contributed to the JV as part of the transaction include Ormat’s Puna geothermal power plant in Hawaii, the Don A. Campbell geothermal power plant in Nevada, and nine power plant units across three recovered energy generation assets known as OREG 1, OREG 2, and OREG 3.

Ormat will continue to consolidate the JV and its assets, and will continue to provide day-to-day management control, operations and maintenance control over the projects.

Northleaf is a leading independent global private equity and infrastructure manager, with offices in Toronto, Canada, London, UK and Menlo Park, USA and more than $6 billion in commitments under management. Northleaf’s infrastructure program is focused on long-term investments in core assets in OECD member countries.

As part of the transaction the parties agreed that any future development of the assets will be undertaken within the JV.Isaac Angel, Ormat’s CEO, said:

“This milestone transaction represents a significant opportunity for Ormat to strengthen its balance sheet by monetizing operational assets at an attractive valuation. Our transaction process initially identified a number of global institutional and private equity infrastructure investors seeking long term stable investment opportunities. We are delighted to join forces with Northleaf, based on the strength of their substantial and meaningful interest in our geothermal and recovered energy plants. The valuation, which represents a premium to our current trading valuation, reinforces the value of our operational assets and underscores our experience and proven track record. By partnering with a proven and strong capital partner we are highlighting the potential for future transactions and additional growth opportunities together.”

“During this period of volatility in global energy markets and commodities pricing, we worked closely with our new investor to structure an arrangement related to our Puna geothermal power plant that provides Northleaf a stable energy rate. This arrangement mitigates Northleaf’s exposure to fluctuations in energy prices, while Ormat stands to benefit from the upside when prices improve.”

Northleaf Managing Director, Jamie Storrow, said:

“Direct investments in contracted geothermal assets in partnership with a world-leading company such as Ormat are consistent with Northleaf’s strategy and offer significant potential for stable, long-term returns. The partnership with Ormat is very appealing to us, given the company’s reputation as a leading geothermal manufacturer, operator and developer. We look forward to maintaining a productive and long-term relationship with Ormat.”