Acquisition of Six Solar Power Plant Facilities in the Kyushu and Chugoku Areas

2021.10.20[Press Release]

Shizen Energy Inc. (“Shizen Energy”) and SMFL MIRAI Partners Company, Limited (“SMFL MIRAI Partners”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (“SMFL”), have jointly acquired six power plant facilities that are already operating in the Kyushu and Chugoku Areas.

Five of the facilities are located in Fukuoka Prefecture, and one is located in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The six facilities totaling 12,337 kW in power generation capacity altogether, generating approximately 14.68 million kWh (equivalent of usage by approximately 3,400 typical households) per year. SMFL MIRAI Partners and Shizen Energy pooled the knowledge and expertise that each has established over the years in the renewable energy sector, cooperating on business assessments, power generation facility appraisals and related steps leading up to the acquisition. SMFL will provide refinancing of existing loans to facilitate this acquisition. Shizen Energy will also handle asset management for the acquired facilities, in addition to operation and maintenance (O&M) services to be provided at the facilities by juwi Shizen Energy Operation Inc. (“jSEO”), a group company of Shizen Energy.

Renewable energy is one of the core businesses of SMFL MIRAI Partners, which is dedicating efforts to secondary acquisition (acquiring operating plants) of multiple solar power plants in addition to business in wind, biomass, and small to medium hydroelectric power. SMFL MIRAI Partners plans to bolster and expand its renewable energy business initiatives going forward.

SMFL offers leasing, project finance, and a variety of other financial services for all types of renewable energy businesses, from solar to wind, biomass, and small to medium hydroelectric power. Leveraging knowledge and expertise established over the years while collaborating with business partners, SMFL will be doing its part to accelerate the prevalence of renewable energy and achieve a decarbonized society.

Shizen Energy provides development, engineering, procurement & construction (EPC), O&M, and asset management business for the installation and operation of renewable energy facilities, in addition to power purchase agreement (PPA) business for small to medium-scale power plants and providing electricity retail as a solution for decarbonization. Counting the contracted O&M services at the six power generation facilities in this acquisition, jSEO has reached a cumulative total of 500 MW in O&M contracts throughout Japan. The Shizen Energy Group as a whole will continue striving to accelerate the realization of a 100% renewable-powered planet through high-quality business operations rooted in the community.

 

■ Company Overview: SMFL MIRAI Partners

Company name

SMFL MIRAI Partners Company, Limited

Head office

3-2, Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

President

Tatsurou Terada

Business activities

・ Real estate business
・ Environmental and energy business
・ Other financial services

Established

October 1, 2018

■ Company Overview: Shizen Energy

Company name

Shizen Energy Inc.

Head office

1-1-6 Arato, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Representative Directors

Ken Isono, Kenji Kawado, Masaya Hasegawa

Business activities

Independent power producer (IPP) business, business development, fundraising, and asset management for solar, wind, small hydroelectric and other renewable energy power generation facilities, power retail to individuals and corporations, etc.

Established

June 2, 2011

Panoramic view of power generation facility (one location in Fukuoka Prefecture)