Corsica Sole, solar energy and storage developer, operator and producer, strengthens its growth and signs a strategic agreement with Mirova, a Natixis Investment Managers affiliate dedicated to sustainable investment. In this transaction, Mirova takes a minority stake in the company and sets up a bond financing program for a total investment that could reach 80 million euros.
The agreement gives Mirova a stake in the company Corsica Sole, enabling the financing of further development. With this partnership, Mirova secures the first investment of its Mirova Energy Transition V1 fund, dedicated to energy transition and renewable energies. With the first closing of the fund, Mirova becomes Corsica Sole’s reference shareholder alongside its historical founders, Paul Antoniotti and Michael Coudyser.
“This fund-raising will accelerate the scaling of our development, while respecting our company values, explains Michael Coudyser, CEO and founder of Corsica Sole. This partnership with Mirova, a leading investor in Renewable Energies, will increase our development and innovation capacity in response to the urgent need for energy transition in France and abroad.”
This deal is part of a long-term relationship: Mirova has supported the company since 2014 by providing quasi-equity financing for more than 15 projects including storage, and by acquiring a stake in subsidiary DRIVECO.
“We chose Corsica Sole for the quality and reliability of its teams, its sustainability and its values,” says Raphael Lance, Director of Mirova’s Energy Transition Infrastructure Funds. “It’s important for us to invest in a company that has proven its expertise in the management of innovative projects. Today, it has developed a unique know-how in the production and storage of electricity, as well as in the building of charging station networks. By their side for many years, we are delighted to now support the two founders of Corsica Sole, Paul Antoniotti and Michael Coudyser, in this new phase of their company’s growth.”
Corsica Sole’s mission is to participate in the energy transition by working towards the most virtuous solutions: the company prioritizes low-carbon technologies and guarantees the recycling of 100% of installed photovoltaic modules. Corsica Sole develops and operates projects throughout France. They opened offices in Paris, Bastia, Bordeaux and Marseille, as well as in Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana and Reunion Island, to stay close to field operations.
Nomura, LPA-CGR and BKP & Associés supported Corsica Sole in this transaction, while Mirova was accompanied by Tevali Partners, Cliperton and Everoze.
The growth of Corsica Sole is based on its ability to innovate in order to produce clean energy. Constantly seeking new technological solutions to support the energy transition, Corsica Sole conceptualized solar mobility through its DRIVECO subsidiary. It was also the first to develop photovoltaic power plants with storage, making it France’s leading operator of energy storage systems.
Founded in 2009, Corsica Sole has been Corsica’s leading independent energy producer since 2018, and a major player for photovoltaic power in France. Each of the company’s projects is based on full respect of local specific characteristics: from conception and site selection to synergies with local players and communication with local residents. By favoring local workers, Corsica Sole minimizes its carbon footprint and promotes employment, thereby contributing to local development. By monitoring its projects from A to Z, the company ensures the technical and environmental quality of its structures.
ABOUT CORSICA SOLE
Corsica Sole, Corsica’s 1st solar power producer, is a major player in photovoltaic energy and the leader in electricity storage in France. The fast-growing company has a photovoltaic capacity of nearly 100 MWp in operation in France and power plants equipped with nearly 50 MWh of energy storage. Corsica Sole is developing a project portfolio of almost 1GW over the coming years.
ABOUT MIROVA
Mirova is an asset management company dedicated to sustainable investment, affiliated with Natixis Investment Managers. Through conviction-based management, Mirova aims to combine sustainable development with the search for long-term value creation. Pioneers in many areas of sustainable finance, Mirova’s talents are committed to innovating in order to offer their customers solutions with a strong environmental and social impact. Mirova and its affiliates managed 19.6 billion euros on December 31, 2020. Mirova is a mission-driven company, with B Corp. certification.
ABOUT NATIXIS INVESTMENT MANAGERS
Natixis Investment Managers helps investors build portfolios by offering a range of tailored solutions. Drawing on the expertise of more than 20 asset management companies worldwide, they offer the Active Thinking® approach to help their clients achieve their objectives, whatever the market conditions. Natixis Investment Managers is one of the world’s leading asset management companies1 (€910.0 billion under management2). Natixis Investment Managers groups together all the management and distribution units affiliated to Natixis Distribution, L. P. and Natixis Investment Managers S. A. Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Investment Managers is a subsidiary of Natixis. Listed on the Paris stock exchange, Natixis is a subsidiary of BPCE, the second largest banking group in France.
Provided by Natixis Investment Managers International – a portfolio management company authorized by French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) under no. GP 90- 009 and public limited company registered in the Paris Trade and Companies Register under no. 329 450 738. Registered office: 43, avenue Pierre Mendès-France, 75013 Paris.
