UK: Pinsent Masons Advises London Array on Transmission Assets Disposal

Pinsent Masons has advised London Array, a joint venture between DONG Energy, E.ON and Masdar, on the £459 million disposal of the offshore wind farm’s transmission assets to Blue Transmission London Array Limited – a consortium comprising Barclays Infrastructure Funds Management Limited and Diamond UK Transmission Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation) – advised by Macquarie Capital.

Blue Transmission London Array Limited was selected as preferred bidder following a competitive tender pursuant to the Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) regime.

London Array, located 20km off the coast of Kent and Essex, is the largest offshore wind farm in the world. Its 175 Siemens 3.6MW turbines, which have a combined capacity of 630MW, are expected to produce enough electricity to power nearly 500,000 homes each year.

The Pinsent Masons team advised London Array in relation to the disposal of the transmission assets (including the transfer of associated construction package contracts), the OFTO regime and the arrangements for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the transmission assets. Pinsent Masons has advised London Array since 2007 and will continue to provide advice during the operational phase.

Partners John Tyerman and Melanie Grimmitt led the team advising on the corporate, projects and construction elements of the transaction supported by Jeremy Chang, Sophie Barr, Katherine Porter and Rhian Critchell. Ian Stewart and John Christian advised on property and tax respectively. Stephen Tobin supported by Steven Franklin advised on finance and security arrangements.

[mappress]

Press release, September 30, 2013; Image: londonarray