ACEI empowers energy infrastructure companies to maximise potential

More than US$35 trillion of investment will be required to meet the world's energy infrastructure needs over the next 20 years. Two-thirds of this investment will be needed in the high-growth emerging markets. The robust economic growth of key markets, such as Asia, is creating a myriad of opportunities for investors - but these markets also come with challenges that should be managed carefully.

"Access to capital is just one of the hurdles that early-stage energy infrastructure companies must overcome. Even more challenging is how to manage the fast pace of expansion as these new companies become major growth platforms that harness the benefits of scale and accumulated experience," says Paul Hanrahan, CEO of American Capital Energy & Infrastructure (ACEI). "The key to being successful is finding the right funding partner that offers not only the capital itself, but also the industry experience necessary to build these types of platforms in emerging markets."

Located just outside Washington D.C., Annapolis-based ACEI specialises and invests in energy and infrastructure assets, such as power generation plants and related energy assets. It also invests in the associated fuel production and transport businesses, including utility distribution and transmission systems. ACEI has a strong worldwide network by being part of publicly traded private equity firm and global asset manager American Capital, which has US$83 billion under management.

"Many developing countries struggle to meet their need for electricity, which supports growing industries and improves the quality of their residents' lives," Hanrahan says.

Having served as the CEO of the AES Corporation, one of the largest global power companies, Hanrahan knows what he is talking about. He and co-founder Richard Santoroski have successfully created similar platforms in the past in Asia, Latin and North America, Africa and the Middle East. "Having worked across more than 40 countries in the energy space, we understand that the challenges vary from one place to another - and we are ready to use our knowledge, experience and resources to bridge the gaps."

"We are an innovative company led by a veteran team with an established track record of successfully investing in energy infrastructure assets across the energy value chain during multiple stages of development," says Santoroski, managing director of ACEI and former AES executive

vice-president. "Our strategy is to focus on strong teams with a few operating or development assets that can develop into significant growth platforms within their markets. We help them build with capital and expertise, going from one or two assets to a multi-asset generation platform, which is essential in emerging markets such as Africa, Asia and Latin America."

Hanrahan and Santoroski are behind ACEI's rapid rise in recognition and credibility, bringing years of experience at AES, which flourished from being a small independent power producer to a US$17 billion Fortune 150 global power giant.

Their recent investment in one of the new power companies in Nigeria exemplifies ACEI's successful execution of their strategy, where their investment in the power generation company is growing from developing an US$800-million plant to becoming a major power generation platform in the region. ACEI also targets similar investments in Latin America and Asia, which it manages from its offices in Singapore, Johannesburg and Annapolis.

ACEI generally seeks investments between US$50 million and US$200 million, however, it also pursues opportunities that may require bigger investments, including acquisitions, corporate divestitures, ownership transitions and going-private transactions.

"In the Asian region, we see China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and India as big growth areas," Hanrahan says. "Whether it is partnering with existing management teams that need capital, joint venture partners or somebody who wants to sell equipment, we are interested to invest - and present exciting opportunities for those who want to partner with us."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51krrPAyJyjnmdha35zfZhqZpqblZ56prnPqK6eqqNisq%2Bx0aCwZqGem7%2Biv9OrrJyspaeybq%2FOpqeappmawG65wLGgpqGjmnqxu9Oepa2hkaE%3D