Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Sandbrook Capital and Voltwise Power on the acquisition and financing of a BESS projects portfolio from SMS Energy

Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised Sandbrook Capital and Voltwise Power (Voltwise) on the acquisition, and financing, of a portfolio of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects from SMS Energy. The portfolio includes seven operating projects with a capacity of 320MW, four construction phase projects with a capacity of 140MW and a pipeline of development stage projects, all located in the UK.

Sandbrook Capital is a private investment firm dedicated exclusively to partnering with world class management teams to build great companies that are crucial to transforming the world’s energy infrastructure. First launched in the UK and Germany, and wholly owned by Sandbrook Capital, Voltwise develops, constructs and operates grid-scale BESS projects across Europe. 

The acquisition sees Voltwise significantly increase its UK footprint, marking a key step in its growth strategy to become a leading, BESS-focussed, Independent Power Producer across Europe.

The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer corporate energy team was led by partner Sarah Pollock together with partner Laura Hulett, senior associate Sam Cundall and associates Shannon Smyth and Hedley Horler. The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer finance team was led by partner Dhananjaya Chak together with senior associate Rohy Alsaad and associates Wilson Lu and Sharon Don-Okhuofu. 

The wider Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer team included Silke Goldberg, David Coulling, Nick Wright, William Turnbull, William Arrenberg, Frank Thompson, Chris Davis, Graham Crocker, Joise Desmond, Sian Greenley, Holly King, Anne Griffith, Abi Rayment, Tom Shattock and Alexandra Spafford.

Partner Sarah Pollock comments: "We are delighted to have advised Sandbrook Capital and Voltwise on this transformative transaction. The deal showcases our ability to draw upon our cross-practice strengths and our work supporting private capital deployment into the energy transition."

Partner Dhananjaya Chak added: "We are thrilled to have delivered this innovative financing for our client Voltwise. The transaction combined HSF Kramer’s strong track record financing the largest UK greenfield BESS projects as well as our extensive acquisition financing expertise."

The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer team also worked closely with Brodies on Scottish law elements of the transaction.