DORE acquires UK solar assets for GBP 42 million

22 March 2021

Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust plc 

("DORE" or "the Company")

DORE acquires portfolio of UK solar assets for GBP 42 million  

Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust plc (LSE:DORE) is pleased to announce it has completed the acquisition of a 96MWp portfolio of c.50 solar PV assets (the "Assets") located in mainland Great Britain and Northern Ireland for a total consideration of £42 million (including working capital balances and cash held by the portfolio companies). The transaction was completed pursuant to an option agreement entered into on 12 November 2020.

The portfolio, described as the "Seed Assets" in the Company's prospectus published on 12 November 2020, comprises:

·    13 ground-mounted sites located across mainland GB totalling c.73 MWp;

·    28 commercial rooftop assets totalling c.10 MWp; and

·    7 residential rooftop portfolios in Northern Ireland totalling c.13MWp.

The Assets have an average operating track record of around six years and generated revenue of £12.5 million and EBITDA of £9.9 million in the year to 31 March 2020. The Assets are expected to contribute significantly to DORE's target dividend yield going forward, with a particularly strong contribution to yield in the calendar year to 31 December 2021.

This is the second acquisition that DORE has announced since its £122.5 million IPO on the London Stock Exchange in December 2020 and a total of £102 million has now been deployed. The Company has also announced that it has entered into exclusivity to acquire a c.40% stake in a 100MW near-shore windfarm construction asset in Sweden. 

DORE is targeting investment in a diversified portfolio of renewable energy generating assets and other infrastructure, which balances higher yielding, lower capital growth of defined life assets such as solar and wind, with lower yielding, higher capital growth assets such as hydro, in the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe.

Tom Williams, Head of Energy & Infrastructure at Downing LLP, said: "The combination of this solar portfolio, the hydro portfolio acquisition in January and the wind project under exclusivity encapsulates DORE's strategy of diversification by geography, technology, construction stage and revenue.  Together, it provides strong, stable, diversified and high-quality earnings that will underpin DORE's dividend and NAV for years to come."

www.doretrust.com

Non-material amendment to the investment policy. For the purpose of acquiring the Assets, the Company's investment policy has temporarily been amended to permit the Company to invest no more than 61% of Gross Asset Value in assets located in the UK. The previous limit was 60%.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK Market Abuse Regulation.

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About Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust plc (DORE)

DORE is a closed-end investment trust that invests exclusively in a portfolio of renewable energy and infrastructure assets located in the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe. DORE's strategy, which focuses on diversification by geography, technology, stage and revenue, is designed to increase the stability of revenues, reduce seasonal variability and enhance returns. For further details please visit www.doretrust.com 

LEI: 2138004JHBJ7RHDYDR62

About Downing LLP

Downing LLP is a London-based investment management firm. It has over 25,000 investors and has raised over £1.7 billion into businesses across a range of sectors, from renewable energy, care homes, health clubs, and children's nurseries, to technology and sports nutrition. Downing has a demonstrable track record in renewables, having made 119 investments into solar parks, wind farms and hydroelectric plants since 2010. For further details please visit www.downing.co.uk