Photovoltaic plants
Partnership in solar energy
Bern (ots)
BKW is selling 100% of the shares in Swiss Solar Invest AG - a company founded with a view to implementing photovoltaic plants - to UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland, a limited partnership for collective investments. For its part, Swiss Solar Invest AG is acquiring from BKW a portfolio of photovoltaic plants with a collective installed capacity of up to 4.67 MW. At the same time, BKW will enter into a long-term collaboration with Fontavis AG to develop, implement, operate and finance renewable energies and infrastructure facilities in Switzerland.
Swiss Solar Invest AG specialises in the generation of power from solar energy. Following the acquisition, the company will have a portfolio of 23 photovoltaic plants of varying sizes, situated in four cantons but with the main focus on the canton of Bern. The total installed capacity is 4.67 MW, generating around 4.6 GWh of electricity per year. All plants have been built over the past few years by BKW as general contractor, and will continue to be operated by BKW on the basis of a long-term operating and maintenance agreement. UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland intends to use the Swiss Solar Invest AG platform to further expand the portfolio of solar power plants, both by acquiring existing plants and by building new ones. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
In future BKW and Fontavis AG - which acts as plant engineering consultant to UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland - will foster close collaboration. To this end they have signed a framework agreement under which BKW contributes its expertise in the development, implementation and operation of power plants, while Fontavis contributes its financing and investment know-how.
"This investment now brings our existing infrastructure portfolio to five companies, which we will continue to expand in the electricity, heating and mobility market over the next few years on behalf of our institutional clients (Swiss pension funds and insurance companies)," says Stefano Tritella, CEO of UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland AG. "In BKW we have a highly skilled general contractor and operator for the plants, offering consulting and other services specifically designed for this purpose."
BKW CEO Dr Suzanne Thoma commented, "BKW wants to be a full-service energy partner for private individuals, small and large businesses as well as for municipalities and other cantons. We plan to build up a partnership with Fontavis that enables private investors to participate in energy-related projects. At the same time we aim to consolidate our leading position in the area of complementary power plants and energy efficiency."
"We are delighted that this transaction and the partnership with BKW has established a reliable investment partner that allows us to generate win-win situations for the energy industry as well as institutional investors," emphasised Thomas Schmid, CEO, and Beat Huber, CIO of Fontavis AG.
Information on the companies
BKW Inc.
The BKW Group is one of Switzerland's leading energy companies. The company employs more than 3,000 staff and covers the entire energy supply value chain, from electricity production and transport to trading and sales. BKW delivers comprehensive services that play an important role in ensuring a cost-effective, needs-appropriate and reliable energy infrastructure, and develops competitive new business models. www.bkw.ch
UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland AG Headquartered in Zurich and Basel, UBS is a leading global financial institution providing wealth management, investment banking and asset management services to high net value clients around the world. In Switzerland UBS is a leading provider of financial services for private and corporate clients. UBS employs approximately 60,000 people around the world.
As general partner, Basel-based UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland AG is the sole fully liable member of UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland, a limited partnership for collective capital investments set up as an investment solution for institutional investors in Switzerland. Since its launch in 2013, 30 pension funds and insurers have been contributing capital of around CHF 350 million to this investment solution, signalling their commitment to unlisted companies and projects for energy production (including biomass, hydroelectricity and solar thermal power and photovoltaics), energy efficiency and the power supply infrastructure (electricity and heating networks). www.ubs.com/ceis
Fontavis AG
Fontavis AG is an independent investment advisor and asset manager domiciled in Baar, specialising in unlisted capital investments in clean energy and infrastructure in Switzerland. As the investment adviser to UBS Clean Energy Infrastructure Switzerland, Fontavis AG is responsible for identifying, analysing and managing investments. Investments are made in unlisted companies and facilities that generate power from renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency or provide energy infrastructure. Swiss companies are provided with capital, expertise and commitment to steer the businesses to new levels of excellence. Fontavis has already invested in various production plants and networks and established itself as a reliable investment partner. Interested energy suppliers and project owners can apply at www.fontavis.ch.
Further information
BKW AG
Antonio Sommavilla Head of Media Communications Tel. +41 (0)58 477 51 07
UBS Media Relations
Tel. +41 44 234 85 00
FONTAVIS AG
Christoph Gisler Partner Tel: +41 (0)41 545 41 00
Contact:
BKW AG
Antonio Sommavilla
Head of Media Communications
Tel. +41 (0)58 477 51 07