CPP Investments holds a 49% equity stake in
Aera Energy
Combined company to play leading role in California's energy transition
TORONTO, Feb. 7, 2024
/CNW/ - Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments)
today announced certain affiliates of CPP Investments have signed a
definitive agreement providing for a proposed merger of Aera
Energy, LLC (Aera Energy), and California Resources Corporation
(NYSE: CRC), an independent energy and carbon management company
committed to the energy transition. The transaction values Aera
Energy at approximately $2.1 billion,
inclusive of Aera Energy's net debt. CPP Investments will receive
newly issued shares of common stock in the combined company upon
the close of the transaction that, at current valuations, is
expected to represent approximately 11.2% of the combined
company.
CRC is an independent energy and carbon management company
committed to energy transition. Aera Energy is one of California's major energy producers and a
leading developer of carbon management projects. Together, this
combination is expected to create a leader in California's energy transition, producing low
carbon intensity fuels that California needs while accelerating the
decarbonization of the state's industrial and energy
industries.
"This transaction provides CPP Investments with an excellent
opportunity to scale up our investment in California's energy transition, with Aera
Energy and CRC both aligned in their commitment to enabling new
carbon management solutions and each bringing complementary
strengths to the table," said Bill
Rogers, Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainable
Energies, CPP Investments. "The combined company is set to play a
leading role in California's
energy transition, which we view as a promising source of long-term
risk-adjusted returns for the CPP Fund."
IKAV, which owns a 51% equity interest in Aera Energy, will also
become a shareholder of the combined company. CPP Investments has
held a 49% equity interest in Aera Energy since February 2023.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024,
subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and
CRC shareholder approval.
The Sustainable Energies group pursues investments in renewable
and conventional energy, carbon capture, distributed and energy
services, emerging and disruptive technologies, as well as
agriculture. As at September 30,
2023, the Sustainable Energies group portfolio totalled
C$31 billion in net assets.
About CPP Investments
Canada Pension Plan Investment
Board (CPP Investments™) is a professional investment management
organization that manages the Fund in the best interest of the more
than 21 million contributors and beneficiaries of the Canada
Pension Plan. In order to build diversified portfolios of assets,
investments are made around the world in public equities, private
equities, real estate, infrastructure and fixed income.
Headquartered in Toronto, with
offices in Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, New York
City, San Francisco, São
Paulo and Sydney, CPP Investments
is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan
and at arm's length from governments. At September 30, 2023, the Fund totalled
C$576 billion. For more information,
please visit www.cppinvestments.com or follow us on LinkedIn,
Instagram or on X @CPPInvestments.
SOURCE Canada Pension Plan Investment Board