The new investment from AMP Capital, on behalf of a large Australian superannuation fund client, will help to fund the growth of the wind energy project portfolio.
AMP Capital is investing alongside the consortium of infrastructure investors, with EME continuing to manage and operate the wind farms.
Capistrano Wind Partners currently owns five operating projects in Nebraska, Texas and Wyoming. The projects equate to 413 megawatts (MW) of operating capacity.
AMP Capital Head of Infrastructure Europe and North America Boe Pahari said: “We are pleased to invest in Capistrano Wind Partners. The US wind energy market is already well established and is a rapidly growing sector of the energy generation market.
“North America is a key area of growth for AMP Capital’s infrastructure business. The investment in Capistrano Wind Partners will provide our investors with additional geographical diversification and exposure to a portfolio of high-quality wind projects.
“The investment is consistent with our focus on investing in high quality assets across the energy/power, transport and social infrastructure sectors in North America,” Mr Pahari said.
EME President Pedro Pizarro said the company was pleased to welcome a fourth partner into Capistrano Wind Partners.
“We consider AMP Capital’s participation to be an important statement of confidence in EME’s record of developing, operating and managing wind energy projects, and in the Capistrano investment vehicle that was developed by TIAA-CREF, CIRI and EME,” Mr Pizarro said.
“We look forward to working with all the partners to explore potential additional wind project opportunities for the Capistrano portfolio,” Mr Pizarro concluded.