Construction World April 2015

ENVIRONMENT

international investment deal POWERFUL juwi, Germany’s leading renewable energy specialist headquartered in Wörrstadt, has a new partner: in December 2014, Mannheim- based energy company MVV Energie AG acquired a 50,1% majority shareholding interest in juwi AG via a capital increase.

into juwi AG will have a positive impact on the bankability of juwi internationally as a leading integrator for solar PV EPC and project developer, and will enable juwi SA to expand its operations as a result of increased lines of guarantee for projects.” Austin adds that from an operational perspective juwi SA anticipates that MVV Energie’s long energy industry experience will be reflected in improved business syner- gies, which will lead to increased efficiencies across the juwi group and of course in South Africa as well. For the founders and acting chief executives of the juwi group, Fred Jung and Matthias Willenbacher, the transac- tion represents a major building block for sustainable growth in the juwi group. For MVV Energie AG, the partnership with juwi represents the systematic evolution of its strategic orientation. “The ongoing trans- formation of energy supply structures in Germany centers on an efficient and environ- mentally-friendly combination of renewable and conventional energies as pillars in the energy system of the future,” commented Dr Georg Müller, chief executive of MVV, adding that the strategic investment and co-operation offered juwi, its project part-

> According to juwi South Africa MD, Greg Austin, the new loan agree- ments have been signed by more than 40 financial institutions. The agreements have a volume of around €300- million and a four-year term. juwi can now draw on extensive credit lines through to December 2018 and can therefore continue to act as a reliable partner in the energy turnaround in Germany and abroad. For juwi, the conclusion of this new stra- tegic partnership is an important milestone that will strengthen and enhance its core business of project development, construc- tion as well as operations and maintenance. The German stock listed energy player MVV Energie AG, with an annual revenue of around four billion euro and 5 400 staff, plans to further expand its commitment in the renewable energy sector through this new investment. Adding muscle The transaction between the two successful companies marks a historic milestone in the German energy industry and adds muscle to juwi’s position in South Africa. Commenting on the successful transac- tion Austin says: “MVV Energie’s investment

South Africa MD, Greg Austin.

ners and other interested parties necessary stability and complementary development perspectives. Under the new corporate structure, juwi will systematically continue realising its well-filled project pipeline and also moving forward with marketing its projects to interested investors. Synergy The executive boards of both companies see the new partnership as a historic milestone in the energy industry: “We have succeeded in bringing together the energy business know-how of an established energy group and the expertise of an experienced project developer in the field of renewable energies. This combination means we are prepared to face the upcoming challenges of the energy market and are well positioned to deal with issues relating to all aspects of clean energy generation including the engineering side of EPC projects as well as the integration and marketing of clean power. “We are optimistic we will bring the remaining aspects of our restructuring and reorientation to a successful conclusion in the comingmonths,” the two energy pioneers said. Jung and Willenbacher have been realigning and reorienting their company to the constantly changing political framework ever since the German market for large-scale solar plants slumped in 2012. Further afield In other international markets, juwi remains a highly sought-after project develop- ment, EPC and O&M partner. The group will continue to expand its project pipeline and internationally utility scale solar shows the strongest growth. “In a global context there is enormous potential for the efficient use of renewable energy, particularly wind and solar energy. In light of our outstanding accomplishments as a project development and EPC partner on almost every continent we want to harness these opportunities and continuously expand our international busi- ness,” commented Stephan Hansen, juwi executive board member responsible for international business.

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The founders and acting chief executives of the juwi group, Matthias Willenbacher (left) and Fred Jung.

CONSTRUCTION WORLD APRIL 2015