28 August 2020  |  Toronto

DIF Capital Partners invests in 900 MW Canadian power project

DIF Capital Partners, through DIF Infrastructure VI (“DIF”), is pleased to announce its investment in the 900-megawatt Cascade Power Project (“Cascade” or the “Project”) in Canada. Together with joint equity sponsors OPTrust and Axium Infrastructure, DIF will invest in the construction of Cascade. The equity sponsors and its development sponsors Kineticor and Macquarie Capital, successfully closed financing of the CAD 1.5 billion Project today, including securing non-recourse project financing.

Cascade is a 900-megawatt combined cycle natural gas-fired generating facility to be located near Edson, Alberta. Siemens Energy will provide two highly efficient single shaft SCC6-8000H power trains and provide maintenance support under a long-term service agreement. Cascade is strategically situated in proximity to significant gas production as well as the NGTL System and high voltage electrical transmission lines, an important competitive advantage for Cascade. Construction will start immediately with commercial operations commencing in 2023. Cascade is contracted and benefits from long-term gas netback agreements which provide cashflow stability and downside protection once the project is commissioned.

Cascade will lead the transition to a lower carbon intensive power grid in Alberta by supporting the province’s transition off coal-fired power, generating low emissions electricity that is expected to supply over 8 percent of the province’s average demand. With Alberta contributing over 50 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation, Cascade is expected to result in one of the largest emissions reduction opportunities in the country’s electricity sector.

BPC, a joint venture between affiliates of PCL Construction and Overland Contracting Canada, Inc., a Black & Veatch Company, will construct the facility under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Services contract with Kineticor acting as construction and asset manager. Cascade will additionally benefit the local community with over 3 million work hours of labour required for construction, creating approximately 600 jobs during peak construction as well as 25 long-term jobs during operation.

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent infrastructure fund manager, with €7.6 billion of assets under management across nine closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF Capital Partners invests in greenfield and operational infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure funds target equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, utilities and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams.
  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized economic infrastructure assets in the telecom, energy and transportation sectors.

DIF has a team of over 145 professionals, based in nine offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact: Allard Ruijs, Partner; a.ruijs@dif.eu.

20 April 2020  |  Toronto

DIF Capital Partners invests in Canadian fiber optic networks build out

DIF Capital Partners, through its DIF Core Infrastructure Fund II (“DIF CIF II”), is pleased to announce that it has completed a majority investment into Valley Fiber Ltd (“Valley Fiber”) to build fiber-to-the-home (“FttH”) and fiber-to-the-business (“FttB”) networks in Manitoba, Canada.

Based in Winkler, Manitoba, Valley Fiber is a telecommunications infrastructure company that specializes in the development, construction and operations of fiber and fixed-wireless infrastructure for residential and commercial use. Valley Fiber has received support from municipal and federal levels of government in Canada. DIF Capital Partners’ investment will allow Valley Fiber to connect more than 15,000 homes and businesses to fiber over the next two years. The transaction contemplates a conservative capital structure which provides additional financial resiliency in the current environment.

Valley Fiber was incorporated in 2016 and has successfully built a presence in Southern Manitoba, constructing high quality telecommunications infrastructure to service the historically underserved communities. Valley Fiber currently operates in more than 20 municipalities in Manitoba. The transaction also includes the acquisition of 40 operating fixed-wireless towers.

“The Valley Fiber team is extremely excited to have found a long-term partner that shares the same values and vision of how to bring the best-in-class fiber and telecommunication infrastructure to the region. With the support from the Canadian government and our financial partner DIF Capital Partners, we look forward to usher in a new generation of economic development and diversity to Southern Manitoba” comments Hank Wall, CEO of Valley Fiber.

The transaction is the first investment for DIF CIF II and underlines the key strategic focus to invest in digital infrastructure. “We are pleased with our long-term investment into the Valley Fiber platform for the roll out of fiber in rural Canada. This is an excellent opportunity for DIF CIF II to invest in a high growth company with a strong management team and to further expand our presence into the fast-growing telecom infrastructure sector” comments Willem Jansonius, Head of DIF CIF.

DIF Capital Partners was advised by Agentis Capital (financial) and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg (legal).

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent infrastructure fund manager, with €6.7 billion of assets under management across nine closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF Capital Partners invests in greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the telecom, energy and transportation sectors.
  • DIF Infrastructure funds target equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, utilities and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams.

DIF has a team of over 140 professionals, based in nine offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact:
Allard Ruijs, Partner
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

6 April 2020  |  Toronto

DIF Capital Partners sells its stake in Royal Jubilee Hospital

DIF Capital Partners (“DIF”) is pleased to announce the sale of its stake in Royal Jubilee Hospital to its co-shareholder Innisfree by DIF Infrastructure III (“DIF III”).

Royal Jubilee Hospital is a PPP hospital located in Victoria, Canada and was DIF’s first PPP investment in North America. The project consists of the design, construction, financing, maintenance and operations of the hospital during 30 years from construction completion which was in December 2010. The facility includes 500 beds and provides inpatient services to medical/surgical patients and patients suffering from mental health and addiction issues.

Andrew Freeman, Head of Exits, said: “We are very pleased to have been able to complete another strong exit, underpinning the high quality and stable nature of our assets also during uncertain times.”

DIF was advised by DLA Piper (Canada) LLP (legal).

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF is an independent infrastructure fund manager, with €6.7 billion of assets under management across nine closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure funds target equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, utilities and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams.
  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the energy, transportation and telecom sectors with mid-term contracted income streams.

DIF has a team of over 135 professionals, based in nine offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact:
Allard Ruijs, Partner
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

20 November 2019  |  Toronto

DIF Capital Partners closes the acquisition of 100% of energy platform BluEarth Renewables

DIF Capital Partners, through its most recent fund DIF Infrastructure V (“DIF V”), is pleased to have closed the acquisition of 100% of BluEarth Renewables LP (“BluEarth”) from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (“OTPP”).

BluEarth is a leading, independent, power producer that develops, builds, owns and operates wind, hydro and solar facilities. Since its inception in 2010, BluEarth has developed and acquired 19 hydro, wind and solar projects across North America, representing 405 MW of gross capacity. In addition it has over 1,000 MW of projects under development. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the company has been recognized as one of Alberta’s Top 75 Employers.

“We are very pleased to close this transaction,” said Paul Huebener, Partner and Head of DIF Americas. “BluEarth is an attractive investment that will provide attractive returns and stable cash flows to our investors. As we’ve been working together over the last several months, we also see strong growth potential ahead for BluEarth – particularly in the U.S. market.”

To support the company’s U.S. growth objectives, BluEarth recently established a commercial U.S. office located in Phoenix, Arizona.

DIF V was advised by Baker McKenzie, BMO Capital Markets, Agentis Capital, and KPMG. Financing is provided by BMO, Desjardins, and National Bank.

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF is an independent infrastructure fund manager, with €6.0 billion of assets under management across seven closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure funds target equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, utilities and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams.
  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the energy, transportation and telecom sectors with mid-term contracted income streams.

DIF has a team of over 135 professionals, based in nine offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact:
Allard Ruijs, Partner
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

1 August 2019  |  Toronto

DIF Capital Partners acquires 203MW wind portfolio in the US

DIF Infrastructure Fund V (“DIF”) is pleased to announce financial close of the 100% acquisition of MIC Renewable Energy Holdings LLC’s indirect interest in two operating wind projects located in the United States with a gross capacity of 203MW.

Idaho Wind Partners (Idaho) and Brahms Wind (New Mexico) have been operational since 2011 and 2014, respectively. Both projects have long-term power purchase agreements with investment grade off-takers. The projects will be operated and managed by Longroad Energy Services under asset management and operations & maintenance agreements.

This investment fits well within DIF’s mandate to acquire infrastructure and renewable energy assets and adds to DIF’s existing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Paul Huebener, Partner and DIF’s Head of Americas added: “We are pleased to add these established wind projects to our portfolio of long-term, contracted assets. We believe the projects will provide attractive returns and stable cash flows to our investors.”

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is an independent infrastructure fund manager, with €5.6 billion of assets under management across seven closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, North America and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure V targets equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, regulated assets and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.
  • DIF Core Infrastructure Fund I targets equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the energy, transportation and telecom sectors with mid-term contracted income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.

DIF has a team of over 125 professionals, based in nine offices located in Schiphol (the Netherlands), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact:
Thijs Verburg, Director
Email: t.verburg@dif.eu

16 May 2019  |  Toronto

DIF to acquire Canadian energy platform BluEarth Renewables

DIF Infrastructure V (“DIF V”) is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity interest of BluEarth Renewables LP (“BluEarth”) from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (“OTPP”).

BluEarth is a leading, independent, power producer that develops, builds, owns and operates wind, hydro and solar facilities. Since its inception in 2010, BluEarth has developed and acquired 19 hydro, wind and solar projects across North America, representing 405 MW of gross capacity. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the company has been recognized as one of Alberta’s Top 75 Employers.

This investment fits well within DIF V’s mandate to acquire infrastructure and renewable energy assets. Paul Huebener, Partner and DIF’s Head of Americas added: “We are excited to support BluEarth in its next phase of growth. The BluEarth team and its portfolio of stable renewable energy projects are a key addition in DIF’s continued expansion in North America.”

The transaction is subject to receipt of usual and customary regulatory approvals and consents for transactions of this nature. Closing is expected to take place in the course of 2019.

About DIF

DIF is an independent infrastructure fund manager, with €5.6 billion of assets under management across seven closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, North America and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure V targets equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, regulated assets and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.
  • DIF Core Infrastructure Fund I targets equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the energy, transportation and telecom sectors with mid-term contracted income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.

DIF has a team of over 120 professionals, based in eight offices located in Schiphol (the Netherlands), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact: Allard Ruijs, Partner; a.ruijs@dif.eu.

5 April 2019  |  Toronto

DIF to acquire 203MW wind portfolio in the US

DIF Infrastructure Fund V (“DIF”) is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement to acquire 100% of MIC Renewable Energy Holdings LLC’s indirect interest in two operating wind projects located in the United States with a gross capacity of 203MW.

Idaho Wind Partners (Idaho) and Brahms Wind (New Mexico) have been operational since 2011 and 2014, respectively. Both projects have long-term power purchase agreements with investment grade off-takers.

This investment fits well within DIF’s mandate to acquire infrastructure and renewable energy assets and adds to DIF’s existing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Paul Huebener, Partner and DIF’s Head of Americas added: “We are pleased to add these established wind projects to our portfolio of long-term, contracted assets. We believe the projects will provide attractive returns and stable cash flows to our investors.”

The transaction is subject to receipt of usual and customary regulatory approvals and consents for transactions of this nature. Closing is expected to take place in the course of 2019.

About DIF

DIF is an independent infrastructure fund manager, with €5.6 billion of assets under management across seven closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, North America and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure V targets equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, regulated assets and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.
  • DIF Core Infrastructure Fund I targets equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the energy, transportation and telecom sectors with mid-term contracted income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.

DIF has a team of over 115 professionals, based in eight offices located in Schiphol (the Netherlands), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact:
Allard Ruijs, Partner
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

Wind turbine in a field
3 September 2018  |  Toronto

DIF Infrastructure III sells a 53 MW portfolio of Canadian solar plants

DIF Infrastructure III is pleased to announce that it has signed and closed the sale of a 100% stake in a portfolio of four Canadian solar plants (the “Portfolio”) to Ullico Inc.’s infrastructure investment business.

The Portfolio comprises four Canadian solar plants:
•  CSI Glenarm LP;
•  Goldlight LP;
•  Illumination LP; and
•  Stone Mills Solar Park LP.

The Portfolio plants achieved commercial operations between 2012 and 2015. Glenarm, Goldlight and Illumination were acquired at the start of construction, while Stone Mills was acquired two years after the start of operation.

Paul Huebener, Partner and Head of Americas says: “We are pleased with the completion of the sale of the Portfolio that was successfully optimized by acquiring individual projects, bringing them through construction, completing two refinancings in 2015 and 2017, recontracting and the exit via a competitive portfolio sales process.”

Andrew Freeman, Head of Exits says: “This is our first exit in North America. DIF will continue its successful strategy of proactively selling assets from its more mature funds thereby taking advantage of strong demand for high quality infrastructure projects.”

DIF was advised by Raymond James (Finance) and Osler (Legal).

About DIF

DIF is an independent infrastructure fund manager, with €5.6 billion of assets under management across seven closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, North America and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure V targets equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, regulated assets and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.
  • DIF Core Infrastructure Fund I targets equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the energy, transportation and telecom sectors with mid-term contracted income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.

DIF has over 100 professionals in eight offices, located in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Sydney and Toronto. Please see www.dif.eu for further information on DIF.

For more information about DIF Americas, please contact:

Paul Huebener
Partner, Head of Americas
Email: p.huebener@difamericas.com

For more information by press and investors, please contact:

Allard Ruijs
Partner, Investor Relations and Business Development
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

For more information about further exits, please contact:

Andrew Freeman
Managing Director, Head of Exits
Email: a.freeman@dif.eu

17 July 2018  |  Toronto

DIF Infrastructure V acquires 100% of American Roads

DIF Infrastructure V is pleased to announce the acquisition from Syncora Holdings Ltd. of a 100% stake in American Roads LLC.

American Roads is an infrastructure holding company that owns and operates, through its subsidiaries, four toll bridges in Alabama and a concession-lease of the U.S. side of an international tunnel crossing connecting Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario.

DIF was advised by Allen & Overy (Legal), Agentis Capital (Financial), Buro Happold (Traffic), BTY (Technical) and Marsh (Insurance). Financing for the investment was provided by ING and National Australia Bank (NAB).

Paul Huebener, Partner and Head of Americas, said: ”DIF is pleased to invest in this high-quality portfolio of tolled crossings led by a strong management team.”

About DIF

DIF is an independent infrastructure fund manager, with €5.6 billion of assets under management across seven closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, North America and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure V targets equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, regulated assets and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.
  • DIF Core Infrastructure Fund I targets equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the energy, transportation and telecom sectors with mid-term contracted income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.

DIF has over 100 professionals in eight offices, located in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Sydney and Toronto. Please see www.dif.eu for further information.

For more information please contact:

Allard Ruijs
Partner, Head of Investor Relations and Business Development
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

Paul Huebener
Partner, Head of Americas
Email: p.huebener@difamericas.com

8 May 2018  |  Toronto

DIF agreed to acquire US toll road portfolio

DIF Infrastructure V (“DIF”) is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% equity interest in American Roads LLC (“American Roads” or, the “Company”). The Company is being sold by an affiliate of Syncora Guarantee Inc., a wholly owned, New York financial guarantee insurance subsidiary of Syncora Holdings Ltd.

Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, American Roads operates a diversified portfolio of five toll road assets, comprising four owned toll bridges in Alabama and, pursuant to a long-term lease agreement, the U.S. side of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, a subaqueous international tolled tunnel between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario.

American Roads is led by a highly qualified management team with more than 100 years of combined management experience in infrastructure and transportation. The management team provides comprehensive management services for American Roads including operations, maintenance, engineering and administrative services.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018.

DIF Profile

DIF, an independent and specialist fund management company, manages approximately €5.1 billion across seven closed-end investment funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in the global infrastructure market through two differentiated and complementary strategies.

The majority of DIF’s funds, including DIF Infrastructure V, target PPP / PFI / P3, regulated infrastructure assets and renewable energy projects.

DIF CIF I targets small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the telecom infrastructure, rail, energy and utility sectors that generate stable and predictable cash flows that are contracted over the mid-term with highly rated entities.

DIF has offices in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Luxembourg, Madrid, Toronto and Sydney.

For more information, please contact:

Paul Huebener, Partner
Email: p.huebener@dif.eu

Allard Ruijs, Partner
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

10 March 2017  |  Toronto

DIF reaches financial close on US toll road

DIF Infrastructure IV (“DIF”) is pleased to announce that it has reached financial close on a 33.3% equity interest in Northwest Parkway (NWP), a toll-road located in the Denver metropolitan area of Colorado, U.S.A. (the “Project”). DIF is part of a consortium alongside Northleaf Capital Partners and HICL Infrastructure Company Limited, which acquired a 100% equity interest in the Project from Brisa, a Portuguese toll-road operator.

NWP is DIF’s first transportation infrastructure investment in North America, a sector in which DIF expects considerable growth for the years ahead. The road, which started operations in 2003, has strong traffic history and connects with several toll and non-toll highways, including E-470, I-25, US 36 and US 287, providing convenient access to residential and commercial centres in the region.

Northwest Parkway has 90 years remaining on its 99-year concession to operate and maintain a 14km section of the beltway system extending around Denver. Revenues are generated by tolls through an all-electronic tolling system. The counterparty to the concession is the Northwest Parkway Public Highway Authority.

“”We are excited to add Northwest Parkway to DIF’s portfolio of investments. Northwest Parkway provides DIF’s investors with an attractive North American infrastructure investment underpinned by the dynamic growth in the greater Denver metropolitan area” said Paul Huebener, Partner and Head of DIF Americas.

DIF Profile

DIF is an independent and specialist infrastructure fund management company, managing funds of approximately €3.5 billion. DIF invests in infrastructure assets that generate long term stable cash flows, including PPP / PFI / P3, renewable energy assets and other core infrastructure assets in Europe, North America and Australia.

DIF has offices in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Luxembourg, Madrid, Toronto and Sydney.

For more information, please contact:

Paul Nash, Partner
Email: p.nash@dif.eu

Allard Ruijs, Partner
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

Northwest parkway roads
9 January 2017  |  Toronto

DIF completes the refinancing of a 30 MWac ground mounted solar PV portfolio

DIF has completed the refinancing of a portfolio of 3 operational, ground-mounted solar PV projects located in Ontario, Canada. The DIF Infrastructure III fund owns 100% of the projects, which commenced operations in 2014 and 2015. The projects sell power pursuant to 20 year feed-in-tariff contracts with the Independent Electricity System Operator (formerly known as the Ontario Power Authority).

Natixis New York Branch, acting as the sole mandated lead arranger, together with Samsung Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Migdal Insurance Company Ltd., Migdal Makefet Pension and Provident Funds Ltd., and Raymond James Banks, NA as lenders, provided approximately CAD$180 million of senior debt facilities to refinance the existing debt.

The lenders were advised by McCarthy Tetrault LLP (legal), DNV KEMA Renewables Inc. (technical), and Intech Risk Management Inc. (insurance). DIF was advised by Torys LLP (legal), KPMG (tax), Riverside Risk Advisors (hedging), Mazars (model audit) and LCN Legal (UK legal).

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Mansfield, Partner
Email: c.mansfield@dif.eu

Allard Ruijs, Partner
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu