Burges Salmon has advised GDF SUEZ on the acquisition of leading independent wind energy developer West Coast Energy (WCE).
West Coast Energy has been operating in the UK for over 18 years and has successfully developed 650 MW of wind capacity, representing nine per cent of the installed onshore wind capacity in the UK. WCE has a significant pipeline of onshore wind development projects under evaluation with a capacity of 200 MW. GDF SUEZ has been working in partnership with West Coast Energy to develop wind projects since 2008.
Steve Riley CEO and President of GDF SUEZ Energy UK-Europe said: 'This investment confirms GDF SUEZ’s strategy of pursuing growth in renewable generation in Europe. The West Coast Energy team have significant experience in wind energy development that will complement our existing in-house expertise in structuring, financing, building and managing projects in the UK market. This acquisition gives us an opportunity to increase our presence in renewables in the UK via high quality projects.'
Corporate partner Nick Graves led the Burges Salmon team advising on the transaction together with corporate senior associate Jonathan Eves. The firm worked closely during the transaction with Pieter Moens, Senior Legal Counsel at GDF SUEZ.
Commenting on the transaction, Nick said: 'The team really enjoyed working with GDF SUEZ and helping them bring the transaction to a successful close. It is another significant transaction for Burges Salmon in the energy sector.”