Red Eléctrica Group welcomes KKR as strategic partner in Reintel

The Board of Directors of Red Eléctrica Group has approved an agreement reached via its subsidiary Red Eléctrica Corporación with KKR, on the terms of an investment by KKR in Reintel, the leading dark fibre infrastructure operator in Spain. The transaction comes after a four-month sale process which attracted the interest of several infrastructure funds.

As part of the transaction, KKR will acquire a 49% stake in Reintel for a total of EUR 971 million. Red Eléctrica Group will continue to be the controlling shareholder and will retain accounting consolidation of Reintel.

The agreed transaction value represents an enterprise value of EUR 2.3 billion for 100% of the business, implying an EV/2021E EBITDA of 22.1 times, unlocking hidden value in Red Eléctrica Group and demonstrating Reintel’s leadership position in the Spanish dark fibre market.

Both shareholders are fully committed to creating long-term value for Reintel, underpinned by the company’s existing strong position in the dark fibre market and the deployment of resources by KKR to support its ongoing business and harness future growth opportunities.

• KKR is making the investment in Reintel through its core infrastructure strategy which focuses on investing in high quality assets in developed OECD markets. This will afford long-term strategic support for Reintel.
• KKR’s extensive experience investing in critical infrastructures in Spain and across the world will allow Reintel to accelerate growth by harnessing multiple business opportunities in the years ahead, such as the roll-out of 5G.

This transaction represents a key milestone in Red Eléctrica Group’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, which provides for the integration of partners into certain strategic assets to allow the Group to harness growth opportunities and optimise the capacity of its telecommunications businesses to generate value.

The transaction will enhance Red Eléctrica Group’s financial capacity with a view, among other objectives, to rolling out its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, which is geared primarily towards driving the energy transition by developing the transmission grid infrastructure required in line with the 20212026 Plan.

Roberto García Merino, CEO of Red Eléctrica Group, said: “Following an extremely thorough research process, we are delighted to have reached an agreement with KKR, which will be a highly prestigious, long-term strategic partner to the Group going forward. This agreement clearly underscores the value of the Group’s telecommunications activity and will support its future development, reinforcing the essential services we provide to society.”

Oleg Shamovsky, Managing Director and Head of Core Infrastructure in Europe at KKR, commented:

“This is a very important strategic partnership for KKR alongside a highly respected blue chip Spanish corporate. We have been following Reintel’s development for many years and are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in this critical telecommunications infrastructure company, and bring to bear KKR’s capabilities and experience in the sector as we strategically partner with Red Eléctrica”.

The transaction is subject to customary conditions including the applicable regulatory approvals and is expected to close in Q2 2022.

UBS and Barclays acted as financial advisors to Red Eléctrica Group and Garrigues as legal advisor.
CT Bureau