Dublin, Ireland 19 April 2023 – Alternus Energy Group Plc (“Alternus” or the “Company”) (OSE: ALT), a Transatlantic renewable energy developer and operator, announces an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the proposed business combination agreement (the “Proposed Business Combination Agreement” or “Proposed BCA”) with Clean Earth Acquisitions Corp. (“Clean Earth”) (NASDAQ: CLIN), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company.
Revisions to Proposed BCA include, but are not limited to:
Valuation: Upon closing of the combination, Alternus will now receive,subject to any working capital adjustments, 27.5 million shares of Clean Earth, which represents an equity valuation of $275 million. Both Alternus and Clean Earth believe the revised consideration positions the combined company in line with current valuations of comparable listed companies. Both parties believe the revised valuation will be attractive to investors upon completion of the transaction and to support the continued growth of the business going forward.
Earnout: The Proposed BCA contemplates that Alternus will receive additional consideration from Clean Earth in the form of “Earnout Shares”, if the combined company achieves certain EBITDA and share price objectives in the years following the business combination. The Amendment specifies that Alternus can earn up to 20 million additional shares of Clean Earth.
EBITDA Objectives: Earnout shares will be awarded upon achievement of several objectives, among which are specified levels of EBITDA. The Amendment specifies new EBITDA targets of $16 million, $52 million, and $156 million in 2023, 2024, and 2025 respectively. The revised targets reflect the Company’s strategy to focus more on its own development projects and completing planned acquisitions of construction-ready projects in the U.S., which utilize the benefits of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. This focus is expected to generate higher equity returns on less equity investment, in contrast to originally planned acquisitions of certain later-stage/lower return projects in Europe.
The Company strongly encourages shareholders to read in its entirety the Proposed Business Combination Agreement and the Amendment, both of which are available on the S.E.C. EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
Closing of the business combination is contingent on customary closing conditions for transactions of this nature, including Clean Earth shareholder approval following filing of the Proxy Statement, approval for listing by Nasdaq, and a minimum of $25 million in cash being available at or before closing. Alternus may waive the minimum cash condition at its discretion. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023.
Additional information about the contemplated transaction is provided in the Proxy Statement filed by Clean Earth with the SEC and is available at www.sec.gov and on the Clean Earth website.
About Alternus Energy Group Plc
Alternus Energy Group Plc is an international vertically integrated independent power producer (IPP). Headquartered in Ireland, and listed on the Euronext Growth Oslo, the Company develops, installs, owns, and operates midsized utility scale solar parks. The Company also has offices in Rotterdam and the United States. For more information visit www.alternusenergy.com.
About Clean Earth Acquisitions Corp.
Clean Earth Acquisitions Corp. is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. For more information visit www.cleanearthacquisitions.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This notice contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act and section 21E of the Exchange Act that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to the Alternus and Clean Earth. Certain statements included in this notice that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are sometimes accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Alternus’ growth, prospects and the market for solar parks and other renewable power sources. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this notice, and on the current expectations of the respective management teams of Alternus and Clean Earth and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Alternus and Clean Earth.
These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including: the impact of reduction, modification or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives (including, but not limited to, with respect to solar parks); the impact of decreases in spot market prices for electricity; dependence on acquisitions for growth in Alternus’ business; inherent risks relating to acquisitions and Alternus’ ability to manage its growth and changing business; risks relating to developing and managing renewable solar projects; risks relating to PV plant quality and performance; risks relating to planning permissions for solar parks and government regulation; Alternus’ need for significant financial resources (including, but not limited to, for growth in its business); the need for financing in order to maintain future profitability; the lack of any assurance or guarantee that Alternus can raise capital or meet its funding needs; Alternus’ limited operating history; risks relating to operating internationally, include currency risks and legal, compliance and execution risks of operating internationally; the potential inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the proposed business combination; the risk that any regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed business combination; the approval of the stockholders of Clean Earth is not obtained; the risk of failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination; the amount of redemption requests made by Clean Earth’s stockholders exceeds expectations or current market norms; the ability of Alternus or the combined company to obtain equity or other financing in connection with the proposed business combination or in the future; the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries; the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Transaction; costs related to the proposed business combination; the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic; the effects of inflation and changes in interest rates; an economic slowdown, recession or contraction of the global economy; a financial or liquidity crisis; geopolitical factors, including, but not limited to, the Russian invasion of Ukraine; global supply chain concerns; the status of debt and equity markets (including, market volatility and uncertainty); and other risks and uncertainties, including those risks to be included under the heading “Risk Factors” in the proxy statement to be filed by Clean Earth with the SEC and also those included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Clean Earth’s final prospectus relating to its initial public offering dated February 23, 2022 and Clean Earth’s other filings with the SEC.
In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by Alternus, Clean Earth their respective directors, officers, affiliates, advisers or employees (or any other person) that the Alternus and Clean Earth will achieve their objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. The forward-looking statements in this notice represent the views of the Alternus and Clean Earth as of the date of this notice. Risks in addition to those set forth herein may also materialize or Clean Earth’s and Alternus’ assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither Clean Earth nor Alternus presently know, or that neither Clean Earth nor Alternus currently believe are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Clean Earth’s and Alternus Energy’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this notice. Clean Earth and Alternus Energy anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause Clean Earth’s and Alternus Energy’s assessments to change. However, while Clean Earth and Alternus Energy may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Clean Earth and Alternus Energy specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. Neither Clean Earth nor Alternus anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause Clean Earth’s and Alternus’ assessments to change. However, while Clean Earth and Alternus may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Clean Earth and Alternus specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Clean Earth’s or Alternus’ assessments of any date subsequent to the date of this notice. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
Additional Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It
In connection with the Proposed Business Combination, Clean Earth intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a proxy statement. Clean Earth urges its investors, shareholders and other interested persons to read, when available, the proxy statement filed with the SEC and documents incorporated by reference therein because these documents will contain important information about Clean Earth, Alternus Energy and the Proposed Business Combination. The final proxy statement, a proxy card and other relevant documents will be mailed to the shareholders of Clean Earth as of the record date established for voting on the Proposed Business Combination and will contain important information about the Proposed Business Combination and related matters. Shareholders of Clean Earth and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, these materials (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and any other relevant documents in connection with Clean Earth’s solicitation of proxies for the meeting of shareholders to be held to approve, among other things, the Proposed Business Combination because they will contain important information about Clean Earth, Alternus Energy and the Proposed Business Combination. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement, the final proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the transaction without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Clean Earth Acquisition Corp., Attention: Martha Ross, CFO & COO, telephone: (800) 508-1531. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this Notice is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this notice.
Participants in the Solicitation
Clean Earth, Alternus Energy and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Clean Earth’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Clean Earth and their ownership of Clean Earth common stock is set forth in Clean Earth’s definitive prospectus filed with the SEC on February 23, 2022, in connection with Clean Earth’s initial public offering. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to Clean Earth’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination will be s included in the proxy statement that Clean Earth intends to file with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposed Business Combination will be included in the proxy statement that Clean Earth intends to file with the SEC. You may obtain free copies of these documents at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Clean Earth Acquisitions Corp., Attention: Martha Ross, CFO & COO, telephone: (800) 508-1531.
No Offer or Solicitation
This notice is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act.
For More Information:
Alternus Energy Investor Relations
ir@alternusenergy.com
+1 (913) 815-1557
Clean Earth Acquisitions Corp.
Matthew Devereaux
inbound@cleanearthacquisitions.com
+1 (800) 508-1531
The Blueshirt Group
alternus@blueshirtgroup.com
+1 (323) 240-5796
