Negotiations are in early stages, with assets valued at R$1.6bn to R$1.8bn
02/03/2025
Portuguese energy group EDP has put two major solar farms in São Paulo State up for sale, according to sources consulted by Valor. Negotiations are still in the early stages, and the assets are valued by the market at between R$1.6 billion and R$1.8 billion, based on their enterprise value—which includes both equity and net debt. BTG Pactual is advising on the transaction.
The assets on the market include the 252-megawatt Pereira Barreto Solar Complex, located in the municipality of the same name, and the 254.6 MW Novo Oriente Solar Complex, in Ilha Solteira.
EDP’s divestment strategy extends beyond solar power. The company is also negotiating the sale of the Santo Antônio do Jari (392.95 MW) and Cachoeira Caldeirão (219 MW) hydroelectric plants in Amapá, as previously reported by Valor. Bradesco BBI has been hired as a financial advisor for that transaction, which could generate around R$3 billion, according to market sources. Talks on these hydro assets are already at an advanced stage and could be finalized in the coming weeks.
When contacted, EDP declined to comment on the asset sales. BTG Pactual also did not provide a statement.
Market analysts caution that the sale of EDP’s solar assets could face hurdles in 2025. The growing use of curtailment—restrictions on wind and solar generation imposed by Brazil’s National Electric System Operator (ONS)—is increasing risk perceptions around renewable energy investments.
These regulatory constraints have already affected the market value of energy companies and made it more difficult for them to secure financing, according to banks and financial institutions.
The Pereira Barreto project received a R$750 million investment, while Novo Oriente was financed with R$805 million from the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), allocated to six special purpose entities under EDP. Given that these are standalone assets, potential buyers are likely to be either strategic investors or financial players with existing energy platforms.
Pereira Barreto was inaugurated in 2021 by EDP Renováveis, the renewable energy arm of the Portuguese group. Novo Oriente, in contrast, was developed through a 50/50 partnership between EDP Brasil and EDP Renováveis.
Mergers and acquisitions in Brazil’s solar energy sector surged 76% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to consulting firm Greener. Despite tighter profit margins, the expectation is that M&A activity in the energy sector will remain strong in 2025.
In late December, João Marques da Cruz, EDP’s president for South America, stated that the company does not plan to invest in new power generation projects in the coming years, citing weak demand and low electricity prices. Instead, EDP will focus its investments in Brazil on electricity distribution and transmission, with planned spending of up to R$12 billion in these areas through 2030.
EDP has consistently communicated to investors that it follows an asset rotation strategy, selling projects to finance new investments. The company’s financial leverage, measured by net financial debt to EBITDA over the 12 months through September 30, 2024 (the latest available data), stood at 2.12 times, according to Valor Data.
EDP has already executed several major asset sales in Brazil. In late 2021, British fund Victory Hills and Paraty Energia acquired the Mascarenhas power plant from EDP for R$1.23 billion. In 2023, the company sold transmission lines to private equity firm Actis in a R$2.7 billion deal. Additionally, EDP agreed to sell an 80% stake in its coal-fired Pecém plant in Ceará to a group of Brazilian investors led by Mercurio Asset.
If the company successfully completes its latest divestments, the proceeds could help finance its transmission investments. In March 2024, EDP secured three lots in a transmission auction held by Brazil’s electricity regulator, ANEEL. The projects require an estimated R$3 billion in capital expenditures to build nearly 1,400 kilometers of transmission lines and two substations across four states.
*By Robson Rodrigues e Fernanda Guimarães — São Paulo
Source: Valor International