Actis Acquires Majority Stake in Guatemala's Largest Electricity Network From Gas Natural Fenosa

London (ots/PRNewswire) - Actis, the pan-emerging markets
private equity investor, has reached an agreement with GAS NATURAL
FENOSA, a leading multinational in the gas and electricity sector, to
acquire a group of companies dedicated to the transportation and
supply of electricity to 1.4m customers in Guatemala in a transaction
worth US$345m plus assumed debt.

The core of the business lies in its two electricity distribution
and supply companies, DEOCSA and DEORSA; together these businesses
supply electricity to 20 of the 22 departments in Guatemala, covering
94% of the land mass and serving the country's large rural
population.

GAS NATURAL FENOSA has built a strong, well-managed asset and
Actis looks forward to working with the current management team to
provide a first class customer service to its customers. Actis will
draw on extensive investment experience gained in its management of
Umeme, Uganda's electricity distribution business, to further
strengthen DEOCSA and DEORSA; expanding and investing in the network,
connecting new customers and concentrating on loss reduction
activities. Actis is looking forward to working closely with the
Guatemalan authorities and communities in the years ahead to provide
a continuous improvement in customer care and service quality.

Actis's investment reflects its confidence in the potential of
the energy sector in Central America. Guatemala has demonstrated the
fastest sales growth in Central America since the privatisation of
its distribution sector in 1998 with a CAGR of 6.6%. Actis is
committed to the provision of safe, reliable electricity to support
Guatemala's continued economic growth.

Michael Till, Co-Head of the Energy Fund at Actis, said: "Through
our investment we will continue to support Guatemala's economic
growth by providing the energy it needs. Actis looks forward to
building upon the work of GAS NATURAL FENOSA and delivering a
world-class service to customers while operating to the highest
environmental, safety and governance standards."

Since 1999 GAS NATURAL FENOSA has made an important contribution
to the energy system of Guatemala. This investment has offered a
stimulating challenge for it as an energy company and at the same
time an opportunity for encouraging development, know-how and
improvements. Throughout its involvement it has counted upon the
support and understanding of the regulatory bodies and of the
Guatemalan authorities. After this disposal of assets, GAS NATURAL
FENOSA will continue to operate in the country via its
telecommunications business Ufinet.

GAS NATURAL FENOSA maintains its commitment to Latin America,
which currently accounts for more than 30% of group EBITDA. The
company is still one of the principal energy operators in the region,
present in a total of ten Latin American countries, with key
positions in the region's main markets. The energy multinational is
involved in gas distribution in Argentina and Brazil, electricity and
gas distribution in Colombia, and electricity generation and gas
distribution in Mexico. In Puerto Rico, it is involved in electricity
generation and operates a re-gasification plant; it also distributes
electricity in Nicaragua, and generates and distributes electricity
in Panama. GAS NATURAL FENOSA generates electricity in Costa Rica and
the Dominican Republic and has a portfolio of wind projects in Chile.

Notes to editors

About Actis

Actis invests exclusively in the emerging markets with a growing
portfolio of investments in Asia, Africa and Latin America; it
currently has US$4.6bn funds under management. Combining the
expertise of over 100 investment professionals on the ground in nine
countries, Actis identifies investment opportunities in three areas:
private equity, energy and real estate.

In March 2011, Actis was named Latin American Private Equity Fund
of the Year by PEI Magazine. Actis already has a strong presence in
Central America as an investor in power generation developer,
Globeleq and wind farm operator ERM.

Actis is proud to actively and positively grow the value of those
companies in which it invests and in so doing contribute to broader
society.

http://www.act.is

About Gas Natural Fenosa

GAS NATURAL FENOSA is one of the leading multinational companies
in the gas and electricity sector, operating in 25 countries, with
more than 20 million customers and 17.3 gigawatts of installed power.

Following the acquisition of the electricity company Union
Fenosa, the third largest in the Spanish market, GAS NATURAL FENOSA
has achieved its objective of integrating its gas and electricity
businesses in a single company with extensive experience in the
energy sector and the ability to compete more efficiently in global
energy markets.

Today, GAS NATURAL FENOSA is the largest integrated gas and
electricity company in Spain and Latin America, leading the natural
gas sales market in the Iberian Peninsula; it is the number one
distributor of natural gas in Latin America. With a fleet of 10
methane carriers it is also one of the biggest operators in the
liquefied natural gas ('LNG') market in the world and is a company of
reference in the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins where it supplies
30 billion cubic metres.

http://www.gasnaturalfenosa.com

Media contacts
Actis
Claire Davies (London)
+44(0)20-7234-5115 cdavies@act.is
Margarita Mendoza Yaquian, Porter Novelli (Guatemala)
+502-2388 5100 margaritam@caporternovelli.com
Gas Natural Fenosa
Laura Sabate (Barcelona) Mass Media Relations Manager +34-93-402-5688
Susanna Gonzalez (Barcelona) Corporate Press Office +34-93-402-9131 /
+34-93-402-9365 prensa@gasnaturalfenosa.com

ots Originaltext: Actis
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