A consortium comprising funds managed by Fiera Infrastructure Inc. ("Fiera Infrastructure"), an affiliate of Fiera Capital Corporation (TSX: FSZ), and Palisade Infrastructure Group ("Palisade Infrastructure"), have completed the joint acquisition of 100% of the equity interests in Amp US Primary Holdings Inc. ("Amp US"), a US-based renewable energy generation and battery storage business from Amp Solar Group Inc. ("Amp Energy"), a Canadian-based global energy transition platform.
Amp US is a leading developer, owner and operator of US community solar and storage projects with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Since entering the US market in 2016, the platform has rapidly expanded its scale and currently operates a portfolio with generation capacity of approximately 200 MWDC across 39 operating or under-construction projects expected to be completed in the short term. The company's large pipeline of solar and storage projects across existing and new US markets, including a recently-acquired 22 MWDC portfolio in New York, and experienced management team, has placed the platform in a primary position within the distributed generation market.
Amp US will now operate under the name PureSky Energy Inc. ("PureSky"). PureSky will remain deeply focused on decarbonization through the development and deployment of renewable energy projects. "Enabling equitable access to energy is core to our culture and goals. We are excited to continue to scale our platform in this new chapter with Fiera Infrastructure and Palisade Infrastructure as our partners," said Nicole LeBlanc, PureSky's acting President. "We are committed to developing and operating renewable projects across the country that have economic, ethical, and environmental benefits." Additional information about PureSky can be found at www.PureSkyEnergy.com.
"We are pleased to be finalizing our investment into PureSky. As a leading US community solar business, it is very well positioned to benefit from the ongoing energy transition in the US, and we look forward to supporting the management team to expand the platform's horizons beyond existing markets," said Mike Reynolds, Managing Director, Americas of Palisade Infrastructure.
"This transaction is the result of many years of strategic and operational success, positioning the company to be a leader in developing sustainable energy solutions," said Brooks Kaufman, Managing Director of Fiera Infrastructure. "We look forward to supporting PureSky as it continues to grow its footprint to deliver solar energy and battery storage in existing and new markets, while strengthening relationships with its customers and local communities."
Amp Energy has seen tremendous growth in all key global markets including the US over the past few years. In 2021, Carlyle became a key equity investor. "Amp has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to build attractive businesses through disruptive investment strategies at the forefront of the Energy Transition. We are proud to have supported the company to reach this milestone and look forward to expanding our partnership with Amp," said Ferris Hussein, Managing Director at Carlyle.
"I'm particularly proud of the strength and depth of the US team, which has grown as part of Amp Energy's global platform over the past 7 years. Palisade Infrastructure and Fiera Infrastructure are great partners, and we are excited to see Amp US continue its growth trajectory with its new owners. It was an exceptional joint effort to get this transaction finalized," said Dave Rogers, Founder and CEO of Amp Energy.
Fiera Infrastructure and Palisade Infrastructure will continue to support the company's long-term strategy to develop, own and operate its growing portfolio and bring the financial and economic benefits of solar generation and battery storage to local communities across the US, including low-to-moderate income households and housing authorities. Furthermore, the company's existing portfolio comprising operating and under-construction projects is expected to abate approximately 171,000 tonnes of CO2 annually by 2024.
Macquarie Capital acted as financial advisor and DLA Piper LLP US acted as legal advisor to Fiera Infrastructure and Palisade Infrastructure on the transaction. KeyBanc Capital Markets acted as financial advisor and Milbank acted as legal advisor to Amp Energy on the transaction.