Linklaters advised BlackRock Real Assets on its investment in South Korean solar development and investment company Brite Energy Partners (BEP), as well as on its acquisition of a 100% stake in Korea Renewables Energy Development & Operations Holdings (KREDO), formerly IGIS Private Equity. They represent BlackRock Real Assets’ investment in a South Korean renewable energy platform and a deepening of its involvement in South Korea’s offshore wind and solar power sector.

These transactions were invested through the global asset manager’s US$4.8bn Global Renewable Power strategy which invests in global climate infrastructure assets, primarily in renewable power generation, across Americas, Europe and Asia. KREDO is one of South Korea’s largest renewables developers, owning an advanced pipeline of offshore wind and other renewables assets amounting to over 2GW in power generation capacity. Whereas BEP aims to use the capital to acquire and build more than 350MW of small-scale solar assets in South Korea.

The Linklaters team was led by Seoul-based energy & infrastructure partner Joo Hee Lee and Hong Kong SAR-based corporate partner Alex Bidlake, and supported by managing associates Tristan Kelly and Angus Nunn. The team is part of Linklaters’ market-leading Asian renewable energy group, particularly known for its strength in the acquisition and disposal of utility-scale renewable projects and portfolios and involvement in the offshore wind sector.

Seoul Managing Partner Joo Hee Lee, commented:

“We are delighted to have assisted BlackRock Real Assets on its latest investment in the Korean renewable energy market. These transactions not only mark an important milestone in the firm’s ongoing relationship with BlackRock Real Assets in Asia, but also consolidates Linklaters’ strong presence in the renewable energy M&A market. Our team looks forward to continuing to support BlackRock Real Assets on future opportunities.”

Global Energy Sector Leader and Asia Head of Renewables, James McLaren, commented:

“We are grateful for the trust and confidence BlackRock Real Assets placed in us on their landmark investment into the renewable energy market in South Korea. We are beginning to see the emergence of South Korea as a leader in renewables and we expect further considerable activity in this market, including in large-scale offshore wind. We are well positioned to support South Korea’s green ambitions through the combination of our dedicated energy team on the ground in Seoul, led by Joo Hee, supported by a leading regional and global team of recognised renewable energy experts.”