Weekly renewables M&A round-up (Apr 1-7)

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April 8 (Renewables Now) - Renewables Now covered M&A stories related to EDF, Actis' Sprng Energy and Solar Frontier over the past seven days. Below is the full list of deals:

-- Engie Energia Chile agrees to buy 55.3 MW of solar assets in Atacama

Engie Energia Chile SA (EECL) has signed contracts agreeing to purchase two solar photovoltaic (PV) parks with a combined capacity of 55.3 MW located in the Chilean region of Atacama, the utility said in a regulatory filing.

-- EDF Renewables buys Luxel together with 1 GW of French solar assets

The renewables arm of French utility EDF SA (EPA:EDF) has taken over solar park operator Luxel, which is the owner of a 1-GWp portfolio of projects either in operation, ready to begin construction or in development.

-- Actis' Sprng Energy buys 194-MW Indian solar portfolio

Private equity firm Actis’ renewables platform Sprng Energy has acquired 194 MW of operating solar plants in India from Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Capital (SP Infra), part of industrial conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji Group.

-- EDF sells renewable natural gas plants in Pennsylvania to Fortistar

New York-based private investment firm Fortistar LLC said it has acquired two landfill renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities in Pennsylvania from EDF Renewables North America.

-- Synthesis Energy Systems mulls sale, other strategic options

US clean energy company Synthesis Energy Systems Inc (NASDAQ:SES) said it has initiated a process to evaluate its strategic alternatives and financing options.

-- Oil majors interested in Brazilian renewables - report

Large global oil companies are eyeing solar and wind acquisitions in Brazil, two sources told Reuters.

-- BlackRock backs solar and storage investor CleanCapital

Funds managed by BlackRock’s (NYSE:BLK) Renewable Power Group have made an investment of an undisclosed amount in clean energy investment platform CleanCapital, which seeks to focus on distributed solar and energy storage.

-- Clean Methane, EIP form JV to turn waste into RNG

Portland-based energy company Clean Methane Systems LLC and asset manager EIP Ventures LLC have formed a joint venture (JV) named EcoRNG with a goal of converting waste streams into 10 million gallons of renewable natural gas (RNG).

-- Air Liquide takes stake in California's FirstElement Fuel

Air Liquide SA (EPA:AI) announced an equity investment of USD 12 million in FirstElement Fuel Inc (FEF), a California-based firm building a hydrogen charging network.

-- SVPGlobal buys ethanol plant in Kansas

Investment firm Strategic Value Partners, also known as SVPGlobal, has completed the acquisition of biofuel producer White Energy’s ethanol business in Russell, Kansas.

-- DIF sells 108-MW solar portfolio in France to Tenergie

French independent power producer Tenergie has acquired, through its wholly-owned unit Terres d’Energie, a 107.8-MW solar plant portfolio in France from funds managed by DIF.

-- Amtech to exit solar, expand semiconductor strengths

US equipment manufacturer Amtech Systems Inc (NASDAQ:ASYS) intends to divest its solar business and focus on its other segments serving the semiconductor and LED industries.

-- Solar Frontier's owner completes Japanese tie-up with Idemitsu Kosan

Japanese oil company Showa Shell Sekiyu KK, which owns CIS solar panel manufacturer Solar Frontier KK, is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd (TYO:5019).

-- Saft, Tianneng form Li-ion battery JV targeting 5.5 GWh production

Saft Groupe SA and Chinese privately-owned company Tianneng Energy Technology (TET) have signed an agreement to form a joint venture (JV) to expand their Lithium-ion battery business, the French battery maker said.

-- Sojitz-led group of Japan to buy into 640-MW wind project off Taiwan

A Japanese group of investors led by trader Sojitz Corporation (TYO:2768) has agreed to buy a 27% stake in the 640-MW Yunlin offshore wind project developed by Wpd AG in Taiwan.

-- Spain's Grupo Room Mate shopping for solar farm - report

Spanish boutique hotel chain Group Room Mate is seeking to purchase a solar farm in an effort to meet power demand at its sites.