Aquila Capital has won the bid to acquire Smakraft AS, the largest operator and developer of small-scale hydropower plants in Norway.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition will be the third public hydro transaction for Aquila Capital in 18 months and will further expand the firm’s footprint in the hydropower sector.
The transaction includes Smakraft’s portfolio of 45 operating plants generating over 500 gigawatt housr annually and a substantial development project portfolio led by a strong operational organisation. Smakraft AS is owned by four Norwegian utility companies: Statkraft (40%), Agder Energi (20%), BKK (20%) and Skagerak Energi (20%).
This investment will significantly expand Aquila Capital’s established hydropower platform in Norway. Aquila Capital is a significant investor in the Norwegian hydropower sector through its ownership in Norsk Gronnkraft AS (100%), Tinfos AS (36%) and Jorpeland Kraft AS (33%).
“Since 2009, we have acquired over 100 hydro plants in Europe, giving us an edge in sourcing and securing hydropower opportunities for our institutional investors,” said Oldrik Verloop, Co-Head of Hydropower at Aquila Capital. “As our investors aim to bring long term capital to support the expansion of renewables in the energy mix, the acquisition of Småkraft AS will consolidate our operations in Norway. It will make us the largest operator of small-scale hydropower plants in Europe.”
Aquila Capital is part of the Aquila Group, which has €8 billion in assets under management, including hydropower, photovoltaics and wind power.