Last checked at 
17 Nov 2022 07:00
17 November 2022
LEI: 213800B81BFJKWM2JV13
Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc
("ORIT" or the "Company")
Further Investment into Simply Blue Group
Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc has invested an additional €6.25m (c.£5.5m) into Simply Blue Holdings Limited, the parent company of the Simply Blue Group ("SBG"), an Irish developer of predominantly floating offshore wind projects.
ORIT first invested in SBG in August 2021 for a c.12% stake - and following this latest investment, ORIT's ownership interest in SBG has increased to c.15.5%*. The Company has also agreed to provide a further investment of up to €6.25m which is expected to be drawn in 2023, and which would increase ORIT's ownership interest to c.19%*.
SBG has developed a pipeline of over 10GW of floating offshore wind projects to-date, primarily in the waters of the UK, Ireland and wider Europe as well as the US and Japan. With a background in marine development, SBG also has interests in wave energy and ancillary interests in sustainable aquaculture, deep water ports and e-fuels.
ORIT's investment comes alongside an equal co-investment from another fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation, Sky (ORI SCSp). In total, funds managed by Octopus Energy Generation combined will have a c. 38% stake in SBG.
Phil Austin, Chairman of Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust plc, commented:
"Floating offshore wind development is a promising and exciting area of renewables that ORIT is helping to grow even further. This latest investment highlights the strong potential ORIT sees in this sector. Simply Blue provides ORIT with additional diversification in the renewable technologies it covers, as it will enable us to tap into renewable energy generated in deeper waters, at stronger wind speeds and in different locations."
Chris Gaydon, Investment Director at Octopus Energy Generation, commented:
"The floating offshore wind sector will undoubtedly play a vital role in the clean energy system of the future. Just over a year after we first invested in Simply Blue, their development pipeline of floating offshore wind projects has grown significantly. Given falling costs, improving technology and growing investment, this area is going from strength to strength. We're right at the forefront of this innovative and fast-growing market, working with SBG to accelerate its growth and expand its development pipeline."
For further information please contact:
Octopus Energy Generation (Investment Manager) Matt Setchell, Chris Gaydon, David Bird
| Via Buchanan |
Peel Hunt (Broker) Liz Yong, Luke Simpson, Huw Jeremy (Investment Banking) Alex Howe, Chris Bunstead, Ed Welsby, Richard Harris, Michael Bateman (Sales)
| 020 7418 8900 |
Buchanan (Financial PR) Charles Ryland, Hannah Ratcliff, George Beale
| 020 7466 5000 |
Sanne Fund Services (UK) Limited (Company Secretary) | 020 3327 9720 |
Notes to editors
Notes
*All ORIT ownership figures shown net of c.1.5% potential dilution from employee share option schemes.
About Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust
Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust (ORIT) is a closed-ended investment company incorporated in England and Wales focused on providing investors with an attractive and sustainable level of income returns, with an element of capital growth, by investing in a diversified portfolio of renewable energy assets in Europe and Australia. ORIT's investment manager is Octopus Energy Generation.
Further details can be found at www.octopusrenewablesinfrastructure.com
About Octopus Energy Generation
Octopus Energy Generation ("OEGEN") is driving the renewable energy agenda by building green power for the future. Its London-based, leading specialist renewable energy fund management team invests in renewable energy assets and broader projects helping the energy transition, across operational, construction and development stages. The team was set up in 2010 based on the belief that investors can play a vital role in accelerating the shift to a future powered by renewable energy. It has a 12-year track record with approximately £5 billion of assets under management (AUM) (as of 30 September 2022) across 11 countries and total over 3.2 GW. These renewable projects generate enough green energy to power over 2 million homes every year, the equivalent of taking over 1 million petrol cars off the road. Octopus Energy Generation is the trading name of Octopus Renewables Limited.
Further details can be found at www.octopusenergygeneration.com