Business & Finance
Business and Finance
Business and Finance
Tue, May 31, 2011 Alterra Power Sells 25% of Iceland Subsidiary HS Orka to Icelandic Pension Funds and Buys 1.5% from Icelandic Municipalities
VANCOUVER, May 31, 2011 /CNW/ - Alterra Power Corp. (TSX: AXY) announces the signing by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Magma Energy Sweden AB ("Magma Sweden"), of a Share Purchase Agreement with Jarôvarmi slhf ("Jarôvarmi"), a company owned by a group of 14 Icelandic pension funds. This transaction was previously announced on April 18, 2011 and has now been formalized with the completion of a definitive Share Purchase Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Magma Sweden will sell a 25% interest in its 98.5%-owned Icelandic geothermal power company HS Orka hf to Jarôvarmi for ISK 8.06 billion (approximately US $69.8 million). The transaction is expected to close by June 2, 2011.
Magma Sweden was advised on the transaction by Saga Investment Bank based in Iceland.
Magma Sweden has also signed a Share Purchase Agreement with four Icelandic municipalities to purchase a 1.5% interest in HS Orka hf for ISK 475 million (approximately US$ 4.1 million). This transaction is expected to close by June 9, 2011.
Upon completion of the transactions, Magma Sweden will own a 75% interest in HS Orka and the remaining 25% will be owned by the Icelandic pension funds' company Jarôvarmi.
Jarôvarmi will also hold an option until February 10, 2012 to purchase new shares from HS Orka treasury that, if exercised, would increase its stake in HS Orka by 8.4% at a cost of ISK 4.7 billion (approximately US $40.7 million). Assuming the option is exercised, Jarôvarmi would hold 33.4% of HS Orka. Jarôvarmi will hold significant minority shareholder rights to appoint Board members and participate in the major decisions of HS Orka as long as it continues to hold at least a 22.5% interest.
About Alterra Power Corp.
Alterra Power Corp is a leading global renewable energy company, formed in 2011 through the merger of Magma Energy Corp and Plutonic Power Corp. We produce 1,800 GWh of clean power annually from 191 MW of geothermal capacity in Iceland and Nevada, as well as 94 MW of run-of-river hydro and 73 MW of wind capacity in British Columbia. We have an extensive portfolio of exploration and development projects, a skilled international team of explorers, builders & operators and strong financial capacity to support our aggressive growth plans.
About HS Orka
HS Orka is the largest privately owned energy company in Iceland producing 9% of the country's power needs and 10% of the country's heating needs. Installed geothermal power capacity is 175 MW from the Svartsengi and Reykjanes power plants. In addition, HS Orka generates 150 MW of thermal energy for district heating. Expansions are planned that could increase HS Orka's geothermal power production to 405 MW by 2016.
Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to future events or future performance, prospects for closing of the sales described in the Share Purchase Agreements, the fulfillment of all conditions precedent to the obligation of the parties under the agreements, required consents and third party approvals. This news release also contains statements with respect to our plans to expand our operations and HS Orka's plans to expand their geothermal power production, management's expectations regarding our growth, business prospects and opportunities and geothermal energy generation capacities. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management.
