I Squared Capital, through its ISQ Global Infrastructure Fund III and ISQ Growth Markets Infrastructure Fund, invested approximately $200 million as a first tranche of a $300 million equity raise in AG&P City Gas, a Singapore-based company that is developing 12 city gas distribution networks, or concessions, in India under the brand name AG&P Pratham. AG&P City Gas was previously owned wholly by the Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Group (AG&P), a Singapore-based downstream LNG business.
In its 12 concessions, AG&P City Gas is responsible for developing and operating compressed natural gas stations for vehicles, piped natural gas to homes and the distribution of liquid natural gas to industrial and commercial customers. These city gas projects benefit from marketing exclusivity in their designated areas for eight to 10 years and construction exclusivity of related infrastructure for 25 years.
“Along with AG&P, I Squared Capital was one of the early foreign institutional investors in the Indian city gas sector and is committed to helping the country achieve its target of having 15% of natural gas in its primary energy mix by 2030. We plan to deploy up to $1.3 billion in capex to build out the distribution networks,” Gautam Bhandari, managing partner at I Squared Capital, said. “Natural gas is one of the cleanest hydrocarbons and an important part of the energy transition to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Over the next 25 years, the concessions have the potential to reduce CO2 up to 37 million tons by displacing fuels such as diesel, petrol, liquified petroleum gas, coal and heavy fuel oil. Using natural gas for cooking also reduces indoor pollution, which is a leading cause of lung diseases in India.”
“AG&P is privileged to partner with I Squared Capital to expedite the roll-out of these vital gas networks being developed in India by AG&P City Gas. Over the coming years, the AG&P City Gas network will continue to grow to serve millions of customers in their homes with clean, affordable, safe fuel as India’s middle class advances in size and purchasing power. AG&P City Gas will simultaneously continue to build 1,500 CNG stations so that cars, taxis and buses can transition seamlessly to run on clean fuel. AG&P City Gas will give the opportunity for small and large local companies to use cleaner and more affordable natural gas, mostly for the first time, a big competitive advantage for the government of India’s ambitious Atmanirbhar [self-reliant] India program,” Joseph Sigelman, chairman and CEO of AG&P Group, said. “I Squared Capital, which has extensive experience in this area and a robust management system, is a great partner for us.”
“The transaction builds upon I Squared Capital’s experience in developing city gas infrastructure in India through its THINK Gas platform. The concessions cover some of the fastest growing cities in India, such as Jodhpur, Kanchipuram [including what is Southern Chennai], Mysore and Thiruvananthapuram [otherwise known as Trivandrum]. AG&P City Gas and THINK Gas are geographically complementary and will operate as independent companies with separate management teams,” Harsh Agrawal, a partner at I Squared Capital, said. “These two companies form one of the largest private city gas portfolios in India, with 18 concessions serving approximately 85 million people across nine states with a planned capital expenditure of over $1.3 billion for AG&P City Gas. I Squared Capital will employ the same global best practices and smart technologies that we used for the rapid and successful development of our THINK Gas platform over the last four years.”
“We see AG&P City Gas as playing a critical role for India. Transitioning to natural gas will reduce pollution and foster a healthier environment for all of us, including our children, while supporting our growing manufacturing base by creating jobs,” Abhilesh Gupta, managing director at AG&P City Gas, said. “We have a lot to do and look forward to working with the team at I Squared Capital in this mission.”
