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National Grid has agreed to sell a further 20% share of National Gas to the same consortium that acquired a majority stake in the gas transmission and metering business earlier this year.
The latest sale will be on “equivalent terms” as the initial transaction in which the consortium led by Macquarie Asset Management acquired a 60% stake in the business from National Grid.
When the first transaction was announced in March 2022, National Grid said it would receive £2.2 billion in cash and £2 billion debt financing in deal that valued the enterprise at £9.6 billion. At the time, the business had a regulatory asset value of around £6.6 billion and net debts of roughly £3.8 billion. Investec said the deal represented a premium over the regulatory asset value for gas transmission of approximately 30%.
National Grid also entered into an option agreement for the cash sale of the remaining 40% stake on similar terms, which could be exercised by the consortium between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2023 but was subject to change.
The initial transaction was completed at the end of January. In its latest financial results, National Grid said it received £4 billion in cash for the sale of the 60% equity stake, having received £225 million of dividends from the enterprise since the sale was agreed. The business, which was formerly known as National Grid Gas Transmission, was rebranded as National Gas following the completion.
Subject to regulatory approval, National Grid said the sale of an additional 20% stake to the consortium is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023.
John Pettigrew, chief executive of National Grid, said: “We’re pleased to reach the next milestone in this process, and we’ll continue to work closely with the consortium.”
National Grid has entered into a new option agreement for the potential sale of its last 20% shareholding. The consortium has the option, exercisable between 1 May 2024 and 31 July 2024, to acquire all or part of this 20% stake.
If this option is partially exercised, National Grid will have the right to put the remainder of its stake to the consortium. This right will be exercisable between 1 December 2024 and 31 December 2024.
Martin Bradley, European head of infrastructure for Macquarie Asset Management, said: “This additional investment underlines our commitment to National Gas and the critical role it plays in the UK’s energy system.
“We have been working closely with the National Gas team since January as they have continued to meet the energy needs of millions of households and businesses. We are pleased to continue our strong relationship with National Grid, and aspire to acquire the remaining interest in due course.”
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