Japan’s SBI Group invests $2 m in Sunshine Energy
View(s):Sunshine Holdings PLC recently announced that SBI Ven Holdings (Pte) Ltd, the overseas private equity firm of SBI Holdings Inc, has invested US$2 million in Sunshine Energy (Pvt) Ltd (SEL) to propel Sunshine Holdings’ renewable energy production projects further.
The strategic investment offers SBI Ven Holdings a 30 per cent stake in Sunshine Energy Ltd, the local company said in a media release.
Sunshine Group began exploring the renewable energy sector in 2012 and today, Sunshine Energy Ltd—a fully-owned subsidiary of the group—has a 6.6 MW capacity through three mini-hydropower plants in the Lindula region. The company’s move towards green energy production gathered momentum in February 2019 when SEL installed its first rooftop solar PV systems in Kelaniya. With three rooftop solar projects in multiple locations, SEL contributes a combined capacity of 7.1 MW.
“Sunshine renewable energy business sits squarely in the nation-building space, with the potential to contribute significantly towards the annual 6-7 per cent increase in power demand. In the near future, Sunshine Group looks to increase their contribution to the national grid to 15MW while also exploring other forms of renewable energy, including wind and biogas project,” the release said.
Commenting on their latest association with Japan’s financial giant, Sunshine Holdings Group Managing Director Vish Govindasamy said, “At a time where the investor confidence and sentiment have been greatly affected, SBI Ven Holdings’s investment on Sunshine Energy brings in vital foreign direct investments to Sri Lanka when it is much needed in the market and the economy. Not only does this strategic investment pave a path for us to support the government’s vision of sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2050, but it also validates our long term vision and investor-friendly corporate governance framework, helping us to build confidence and attract leading global equity firms like SBI Ven Holdings.”
The SBI Group, spearheaded by visionary President and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao, is a key player in the Japanese securities industry and has keen interests in the financial services, healthcare, and energy sectors in Japan. With over 6,000 employees and assets under management of over $3 billion, SBI Group has offices in over 15 countries and invested in about 1,500 companies globally.
In July 2018, Sunshine Holdings entered into a private placement with SBI Ven Holdings to raise Rs. 775 million. They are the second-largest shareholder of the diversified conglomerate.