By Nibal Zgheib
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is investing up to US$ 100 million in a certified green bond issuance of US$ 334.5 million, backed by six solar power plants owned by Scatec ASA.
The Bank is also providing a US$ 30 million Credit Enhancement Facility (CEF) for participating institutional investors.
Certified under the Climate Bonds Standard, this bond is the first private green project bond issuance in Egypt and the southern and eastern Mediterranean region.
The issuance will have a catalytic effect on renewable energy investors seeking access to capital markets in a volatile post-pandemic macroeconomic environment, allowing them to source funding from the growing pool of international institutional investors.
The issuance is co-financed by the EBRD, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), FMO Entrepreneurial Development Bank, the German Development Finance Institution (DEG) and private institutional investors.
The CEF, alongside the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) Political Risk Insurance cover, is an innovative instrument, which will draw a new class of international institutional investors into Egypt’s renewable energy sector, thus paving the way for greener bond issuances in the future.
In addition, the EBRD will support the regional economic development of the Aswan governorate in the country. The Bank will work on increasing access to skills and economic opportunities for people in the less developed rural areas near Benban Solar Park, by introducing a certified training programme for agribusiness entrepreneurs, with a specific focus on youth and women.
EBRD Managing Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Group, Nandita Parshad said: “We are delighted to continue our support of Egypt’s renewable energy sector and to mobilise new private and institutional capital through this highly innovative and timely instrument.”
he CFO of ScateTc, Mikkel Tørud said: “We are thrilled to be part of this innovative green financial transaction which has attracted capital from both development financial institutions and international institutional investors. This transaction demonstrates strong support for the Egyptian government’s ambitions to become a green hub in the Middle East.”
Scatec ASA — a Norway-based integrated independent solar power producer — develops, builds, owns and operates renewable power plants, with 3.5 GW in operation and under construction around the world.
Egypt is a founding member of the EBRD. Since the start of its operations there in 2012, the EBRD has invested more than €8.5 billion in 144 projects in the country.
