Energy and infrastructure news and analysis service Proximo honored global law firm White & Case LLP's Latin America Energy and Infrastructure Practice three times in its "Deals of the Year" ceremony for work performed in 2021. The deals for which White & Case was honored were:
PPP Deal of the Year: US$165.5 Million Project Financing for Brazil Public Lighting System
White & Case advised sponsors Proteres Participações S.A., ARC Comércio Construção e Administração de Serviços Ltda. and Salberg S.A.; Smart RJ Concessionária de Iluminação Pública SPE S.A.; and issuer Rio Smart Lighting S.à r.l., on the issuance of US$165.5 million (BRL 925 million) 12.250% senior secured notes to support a novel financing structure through which Rio Smart Lighting purchased infrastructure debentures issued by Smart Luz, a Brazilian special purpose vehicle established by the sponsors. The proceeds will be used in the modernization, maintenance, operation and management of the public lighting system of Rio de Janeiro, as well as the installation and management of smart city technologies and traffic lights: high-efficiency LED bulbs, WiFi access points, video cameras, smart traffic management systems and smart drains.
Solar Deal of the Year: Financing for Solar Photovoltaic Plants in Colombia
White & Case advised IDB Invest and Bancolombia on a senior secured and subordinated financing, the proceeds of which will be used to finance the Bosques Solares de Los Llanos portfolio of solar photovoltaic plants in Colombia. The financing represents the first non-recourse financing and first long-term financing for solar PV or wind assets in Colombia.
Mining Deal of the Year: US$140 Million Project Financing for Serrote Copper-Gold Mine
White & Case advised a consortium of lenders in the closing of a US$140 million senior secured bank project financing facility for the development of the Serrote open pit copper-gold mine and processing plant project in Alagoas, Brazil. The financing package was used to fund construction of the project, which has commenced production and is currently ramping up. It is the first major mining project in Alagoas.
"The Proximo Deal of the Year awards yet again confirm our exceptional performance across key industries in Latin America; we greatly appreciate the recognition," said Carlos Viana (Miami), head of the White & Case Latin America Country Group.
