MIAMI & SÃO PAULO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--I Squared Capital, a leading global infrastructure investment manager, announced today it has agreed to invest up to $400 million in Órigo Energia, a leader in distributed energy generation in Brazil.
The investment in Órigo will fund the construction of over 2 gigawatts of distributed solar generation projects in 20 states across Brazil with an estimated capital expenditure of R$ 6 billion. This will be I Squared’s first direct investment in Brazil since it opened its São Paulo office last month and will give I Squared a 49% ownership stake in Órigo Energia. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.
Órigo Energia is the largest distributed generation business in Brazil with over 100,000 customers and 300MWp of distributed generation assets in operations across Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Ceará, Mato Grosso do Sul, Distrito Federal, and São Paulo. Órigo’s business model offers residential consumers and small and medium sized enterprises easy access to the sustainable benefits of solar powered energy at a discount from regular utilities.
“This is a landmark transaction for I Squared,” said Gautam Bhandari, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, I Squared Capital. “We have ambitious plans for renewables and are leveraging our extensive experience in this space to build a leading global renewables-focused platform consistent with I Squared’s overall approach to investing."
“Órigo Energia has all the hallmarks of an I Squared investment. They have a strong management team, a large customer base with growing demand, and operations in a well-defined regulatory environment,” Mr. Bhandari continued. “In addition, Órigo has industry-leading sustainability credentials consistent with I Squared’s sustainability goals. We are excited about this partnership, and we look forward to working with Surya and his team to capitalize on the opportunities they have in front of them.”
Surya Mendonça, CEO, Órigo Energia, commented: "This investment will allow Órigo to accelerate the construction of solar farms, expanding its service to thousands of new customers and over 20 states in the coming years. It will also reinforce our technology and customer experience focus, in line with the purpose of making solar energy accessible to small and large businesses as well as retail customers, while generating savings and driving Brazil to a greener future.”
Órigo has been recognized for its environmental and social leadership. In 2022, Órigo secured international B Corporation recertification for its commitment to social and environmental impact through its responsible business model. In 2023, it was granted a Customer Experience recognition, the NPS Award, as the best evaluated company in the energy sector in Brazil.
The distributed generation sector in Brazil has been experiencing significant growth due to the well-defined regulation that drives investment in regions and the potential to accelerate the energy transition towards more sustainable energy sources. Solar power is becoming an increasingly affordable energy source for a market that encompasses around 90 million consumers nationwide.
About I Squared Capital
I Squared Capital is an independent global infrastructure manager with over $38 billion in assets under management focused on investing in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Headquartered in Miami, the firm has more than 240 professionals across its offices in Singapore, London, New Delhi, Taipei, São Paulo and Sydney. I Squared Capital has invested in a diverse portfolio of 81 companies with over 66,000 employees in 71 countries across the utilities, energy, digital infrastructure, transport, environmental infrastructure, and social infrastructure sectors providing essential services to millions of people around the world.
About Órigo Energia
Órigo Energia, a leading company in distributed generation, is one of the pioneering companies in the sector in Brazil, operating since 2010. Órigo aims to massify and democratize renewable energy in the country. The company actively participates in the main sectoral discussions and encourages measures that can make renewable energy a simple and accessible alternative for all Brazilians. In 2019, Órigo obtained the international certificate of B Corporation for its commitment to social and environmental impact through its business model. In 2023, it was granted a Customer Experience recognition, the NPS Award, as the best evaluated company in the energy sector in Brazil. Órigo’s other key shareholders include Augment Infrastructure, TPG ART- Circularis Partners, BlaO - Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital, MOV Investimentos, and Mitsui.
DISCLAIMER: No discussion with respect to specific companies should be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular investment. The companies discussed do not represent all past investments. It should not be assumed that any of the investments discussed were or will be profitable, or that recommendations or decisions made in the future will be profitable.
