Linklaters advised Actis, a leading global investor in sustainable infrastructure, on the establishment of a new renewables platform in Japan, Nozomi Energy Co., Ltd. (Nozomi).
The US$500m Japan-focussed renewables platform will target 1.1GW of onshore wind and solar power generation by 2027. The investment is made from Actis’ fifth and latest energy infrastructure fund, Actis Energy 5, representing US$6bn of investable capital targeting the acceleration of energy transition globally.
Linklaters also advised Actis on its first investment in Japan and seed asset for Nozomi in acquiring 100% of Hergo Japan Energy Corporation (Hergo Japan Energy), which has a portfolio of operating and development stage solar and onshore wind projects totalling around 230MW, plus a significant pipeline of early-stage projects.
The cross-practice Linklaters team was led by corporate partner Tracy Whiriskey and energy & infrastructure partner Hirofumi Taba, with support from managing associates Jessika Colthurst and Mamoru Ikeda.
Linklaters’ Tokyo-based corporate partner Tracy Whiriskey commented:
“We are thrilled to have supported Actis on its debut investment into Japan’s growing renewables market. This bolsters our firm’s established reputation for delivering cutting-edge sector focussed advice within the context of corporate/M&A transactions. Our team is grateful for Actis’ continued trust and confidence in us and we look forward to continuing to support them on future transactions.”
Linklaters has worked on several landmark energy & infrastructure sector M&A transactions across Asia, which included previously advising Actis on its first energy infrastructure investment in Vietnam, where the firm’s cross-practice and regional experience was essential.