Tata Power arm to divest entire 50 pc stake in South African JV Cennergi for USD 106 mn

Tata Power on Tuesday said its arm Khopoli Investments will divests its entire 50 per cent stake in South African joint venture Cennergi for USD 106 million (around Rs 761 crore). According to a company statement, Cennergi (Pty) Ltd is a 50:50 joint venture between Exxaro Resources and Khopoli Investments, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Tata Power. Exxaro is a leading South African coal producer.

"Khopoli Investments announced the execution of a share purchase agreement with Exxaro Resources for the divestment of the company's entire 50 per cent stake in Cennergi...for an amount of ZAR (South African Rand ) 1,550 million (USD 106 million), subject to normal working capital and other adjustments," a Tata Power statement said. The agreement is likely to be completed by December quarter of this fiscal. Post this transaction, Exxaro will have 100 per cent ownership of Cennergi.

"The decision to monetise this South African asset is in alignment with our stated strategy to deleverage the balance sheet by divesting sub-optimal size international assets," said Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power. Cennergi in turn owns two wind farms in South Africa -- Amakhala Emoyeni (with generation capacity of 134.4 MW and 95 per cent shareholding) and Tsitsikamma Community Wind Farm (with generation capacity of 95.3 MW and 75 per cent shareholding). Each project has a 20-year power purchase agreement with the State power utility Eskom.

"The proceeds from such sale would be re-invested in emerging areas where there is a huge growth opportunity. The company will focus on renewable power, power distribution and service-led businesses in India which will bring in greater value and help us align with the emerging consumer needs," Sinha added. The collaboration between Exxaro and Tata Power over the past seven years to develop these projects has been commendable and an outstanding success in South Africa's implementation of its energy strategy, said Mxolisi Mgojo, CEO of Exxaro Resources.

ABSA Bank was the sole advisor to Khopoli for the transaction.

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