Renewable-Energy-Industry.com

Business World of Renewable Energy

IWR Reuters News Center RTL 103 0347 1280 256

Ballard Signs Historic Strategic Collaboration With Weichai Power, Advancing China Strategy

Vancouver, Canada and Jinan/Weifang, China – Ballard Power Systems announced at a public event in Jinan, Shandong Province, China that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Weichai Power Co., Ltd.

According to Ballard Power the collaboration includes a substantial equity investment by Weichai in Ballard of approximately $163 million, representing a 19.9% interest in the company and reflecting a price based on a 15% premium to the 30-day VWAP. Furthermore the establishment of a joint venture to support China’s burgeoning Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle market and a $90 million technology transfer program to the JV related to Ballard’s next-generation LCS fuel cell stack and power modules for bus, commercial truck and forklift applications in China is part of the agreement. At least the collaboration includes a commitment by Weichai to build and supply at least 2,000 fuel cell modules for commercial vehicles in China

In addition, Zhongshan Broad-Ocean Motor Co., Ltd. - a current Ballard strategic investor and Chinese partner – has agreed to invest a further approximately $20 million at the same 15% premium to maintain its 9.9% ownership position in Ballard. As a result, the Weichai and Broad-Ocean equity investments in Ballard will total approximately $183 million.

All the foregoing transactions are expected to close in Q4 2018, subject to completion of definitive agreements, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.



Source: IWR Online, 30 Aug 2018

 


Companies