Shizen Energy, CDPQ to Invest $474 Mn in RE in Japan & Outside

Shizen Energy, a renewable energy leader in Japan, and CDPQ, a Canada-based global investment group, have announced a JPY 20-billion ($135 million) investment in Shizen Energy. The two companies have also agreed to a co-investment framework, which will involve potential investments of another $339 million by CDPQ.

The official statement has held that the investment by CDPQ will allow Shizen Energy to accelerate its ongoing renewable power plant development activities, business enhancement initiatives in energy digitalization, and human capital expansion in key markets. Following this transaction, CDPQ has obtained a seat on the Board of Directors of Shizen Energy.

In Japan, Shizen Energy will develop a variety of renewable energy sources, including solar, agri-solar, onshore and offshore wind, small-scale hydroelectric and biomass power. In Shizen will conduct further research and development of its proprietary energy management systems to effectively utilize renewable energy. For the overseas projects, the company will accelerate on-site and off-site PPA in southeast Asia and Brazil and will aim to work on large-scale solar and wind power generation projects in partnership with leading local companies.

Emmanuel Jaclot, Executive VP, CDPQ, said, “This transaction in Japan is an important milestone in the deployment of CDPQ’s long-term Asia-Pacific infrastructure strategy. Japan has a crucial role to play in the decarbonation of Asia, and as an investor with deep experience in renewable energy, we are delighted to be working with the Shizen team to deliver on their ambitious plan for the energy transition.”

Shizen Energy’s Co-founders and Directors Ken Isono, Masaya Hasegawa, and Kenji Kawado opined that Shizen has been striving to achieve its purpose of ‘We take action for the blue planet’, and they feel that even greater speed is required to resolve global warming and energy challenges. “Through our collaboration with CDPQ, we will accelerate our global actions for the future of this Earth,” they added.

With “We take action for the blue planet” as its purpose, Shizen Energy said that it will continue to tirelessly promote renewable energy to serve the needs of local communities and strive to build a sustainable society by using its expertise in renewable power development, operations & maintenance and digital solutions in Japan and overseas.