Alternus Clean Energy set to Acquire Over 80 MWp of Operating Solar PV across eight states in the U.S.

Rhea-AI Summary

Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALCE) plans to acquire over 80 MWp of operating solar PV projects across eight U.S. states. The portfolio includes 33 projects with long-term agreements, generating $6.7 million in revenue annually. The acquisition, valued at approximately $60 million, aims to triple the company's operational projects, enhancing financial performance and operational efficiencies. CEO Vincent Browne highlights the strategic shift towards the U.S. renewable market, following the successful Nasdaq listing. The transaction is subject to closing conditions.

Positive

• Acquisition of over 80 MWp of operating solar PV projects in the U.S.

• Portfolio includes 33 projects with significant long-term agreements

• Expected revenue of $6.7 million annually

• Valued at approximately $60 million

• Aims to triple operational projects to over 120 MWp

Negative

• Transaction subject to closing conditions, including debt restructuring

• Dependence on the successful completion of the acquisition

Insights

Energy Sector Analyst

Alternus Clean Energy's acquisition of an 80 MWp operating solar portfolio expands its footprint in the renewable energy sector, specifically in the U.S. market. The deal diversifies the company's geographical presence and enhances its financial stability through long-duration contracts with creditworthy counterparties. The transaction's immediate impact on EBITDA suggests operational efficiency and increased profitability. However, the reliance on project-level debt financing calls for scrutiny of the company's leverage and debt service capacity post-acquisition.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, the acquisition's expected yearly revenue of approximately $6.7 million and operating income of $5.1 million are significant. The transaction price of about $60 million, inclusive of project debt, indicates a potential EBITDA multiple that could be attractive if these assets can maintain their performance over the long-term contracts. Investors should monitor the restructuring and assumption of existing debt as it may affect the company's balance sheet and credit profile. The move aligns with Alternus's strategy to grow to 3GW of operating projects, signaling a bullish outlook on the part of management for renewable investments.

M&A (Merger and Acquisition) Analyst

Strategically, Alternus Clean Energy's move to acquire a diverse portfolio across multiple states signals a deliberate effort to consolidate its position in the U.S. renewable energy market. The shift from non-core assets in Europe to strategic acquisitions in the U.S. mirrors broader trends in the energy sector focusing on consolidation and scaling operations. The acquisition, nearly tripling operational projects to over 120 MWp, is likely to create operational synergies and cost efficiencies. However, the success of this M&A activity hinges on Alternus's ability to seamlessly integrate the new assets and effectively manage the increased scale of operations.

On completion will be immediately EBITDA accretive

FORT MILL, S.C., May 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alternus Clean Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALCE) (“Alternus” or the “Company”), a leading utility-scale transatlantic, clean energy independent power producer (IPP) today announced the signing of definitive agreements with a U.S. based fund to acquire over 80 MWp of operating portfolio spanning across the U.S.

The Portfolio consists of 33 projects, distributed across eight states, showcasing a geographical diversification within the U.S. The portfolio has significant long-term agreements (average remaining term of over 12 years) with 16 different counterparties. Notably, approximately 20% of these fall within the AAA and AA rating categories, such as Duke Energy, enhancing the financial stability and predictability of revenue streams. The Portfolio is expected to generate an average of $6.7 million of revenue and $5.1 million (before improvements) of operating income annually and represents an outstanding opportunity to acquire established assets generating reliable cash flows backed by long-duration contracts. The total consideration is approximately $60 million including existing project debt. Alternus plans to fund the acquisition at the project level with the target for completion by the end of Q2 2024.

Alternus Clean Energy CEO Vincent Browne commented, “We are excited with the signing of these definitive agreements as we mark the first of our many identified strategic acquisitions and other growth initiatives in the US, following our successful listing on Nasdaq in December. On completion, this will almost triple our operational projects to over 120MWp and will further enhance operational efficiencies and financial performance across our renewable energy assets in the U.S. and Europe. The Portfolio will be immediately revenue and earnings accretive generated by a diverse mix of revenue streams from quality long term offtake contracts.”

“In late 2023, Alternus announced the strategic divestment of non-core projects located in Poland and the Netherlands. The proposed acquisition of the approximately 81 MW operational portfolio in the U.S. underscores Alternus' strategic pivot towards the U.S. renewable market, aligning with our plan to pursue near-term acquisitions of both operating and ready-to-build projects from a burgeoning pipeline of ‘equity light’ projects as we build towards our goal of achieving 3GW of operating projects over the next five years,” Mr. Browne concluded.

Closing of the acquisition is still subject to certain closing conditions, including but not limited to, restructuring and assumption of the existing debt.

Full details of the transaction and the agreement can be found in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission located at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at https://ir.alternusenergy.com/financials-filings/sec-filings.

About Alternus Clean Energy
Alternus is a transatlantic clean energy independent power producer. Headquartered in the United States, we currently develop, install, own, and operate utility scale solar parks in North America and Europe. Our highly motivated and dynamic team at Alternus have achieved rapid growth in recent years. Building on this, our goal is to reach 3GW of operating projects within five years through continued organic development activities and targeted strategic opportunities. Our vision is to become a leading provider of 24/7 clean energy delivering a sustainable future of renewable power with people and planet in harmony. For more information visit www.alternusce.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release, including any information on the Company’s plans or future financial or operating performance and other statements that express the Company’s management’s expectations or estimates of future performance, constitute forward-looking statements. When used in this notice, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Such statements are based on a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company cautions that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and other factors that may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from the Company’s estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements should not be relied upon as representing Alternus’ assessments of any date after the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

For More Information:
Investors:
Alternus Clean Energy
ir@alternusenergy.com
+1 (913) 815-1557

or

Media:
The Blueshirt Group
alternus@blueshirtgroup.com
+1 (323) 240-5796

FAQ

What is Alternus Clean Energy planning to acquire?

Alternus Clean Energy plans to acquire over 80 MWp of operating solar PV projects across eight U.S. states.

How much revenue is the portfolio expected to generate annually?

The portfolio is expected to generate an average of $6.7 million in revenue annually.

What is the total consideration for the acquisition?

The total consideration for the acquisition is approximately $60 million.

Who is the CEO of Alternus Clean Energy?

Vincent Browne is the CEO of Alternus Clean Energy.

Where can the full details of the transaction be found?

The full details of the transaction can be found in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission located at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at https://ir.alternusenergy.com/financials-filings/sec-filings.