First energy efficiency investment in Singapore

01 October 2020

SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust plc
("SEEIT" or the "Company")

First energy efficiency investment in Singapore

SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust plc, the first UK-listed investment company of its kind to invest exclusively in the energy efficiency sector, today announces the acquisition of its first portfolio of energy efficiency projects in Singapore from Singapore Energy Efficiency Investments Pte. Ltd. ("SEEPL") and associates for an equity cash consideration of £2 million. 

The portfolio consists of six operating assets, including chillers and bespoke energy-efficient air compressors that are installed at the premises of five leading industrial counterparties in Singapore, including subsidiaries of large multinational institutions. The total remaining portfolio life is 6 years and 10 months.

This investment in proven operational assets further diversifies SEEIT's portfolio, in terms of geography, technology, counterparty and application.

Importantly, the acquisition represents SEEIT's first energy efficiency investment in Singapore and, together with SDCL's presence in the region, provides a platform from which the Company can explore future opportunities in this and other attractive jurisdictions in the region.

The acquisition constitutes a smaller related party transaction, falling within the scope of Listing Rule 11.1.10R as the Company's Investment Manager, Sustainable Development Capital LLP ("SDCL") and its associates, have an interest in SEEPL. The Board of Directors of the Company took independent valuation advice when negotiating this acquisition. The acquisition has been funded through existing cash reserves and is expected to contribute positively to SEEIT's total returns.

SDCL's CEO, Jonathan Maxwell, said: "With this investment, SEEIT establishes a portfolio in Singapore from which it can scale up to address other opportunities in the country and the region. We are investing into the decarbonisation of manufacturing in the region, including cooling efficiency, where air conditioning and refrigeration management have been demonstrated to offer the largest and most cost-effective potential for greenhouse gas emission reductions".

For Further Information

About SEEIT

SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust plc is the first UK listed company of its kind to invest exclusively in the energy efficiency sector. Since IPO, SEEIT has made seven investments and commitments in a diversified portfolio of distributed generation and energy efficiency projects totalling c.£375m. The projects are located in the UK, Europe and North America in broadly equal proportions and include, inter alia, a portfolio of cogeneration assets in Spain, a portfolio of recycled energy and cogeneration projects in the United States and, most recently, investments and commitments in operational and construction assets in the UK.

The Company aims to deliver shareholders value through its investment in a diversified portfolio of energy efficiency projects which are driven by the opportunity to deliver lower cost, cleaner and more reliable energy solutions to end users of energy.

The Company is targeting an attractive total return for shareholders of 7-8 per cent. per annum (net of fees and expenses and by reference to the initial issue price of £1.00 per Ordinary Share), with a stable dividend income, capital preservation and the opportunity for capital growth. The Company is targeting a dividend of 5.5p per share in respect of the financial year to 31 March 2021. SEEIT's last published NAV was 101.0p per share as at 31 March 2020.

Further information can be found on the Company's website at www.seeitplc.com.

Investment Manager

SEEIT's investment manager is Sustainable Development Capital LLP ("SDCL"), an investment firm established in 2007, with a proven track record of investment in energy efficiency and decentralised generation projects in the UK, Continental Europe, North America and Asia.

SDCL is headquartered in London and the group also operates worldwide from offices in New York, Dublin, Madrid, Hong Kong and Singapore. SDCL is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Further information can be found on at www.sdclgroup.com.