Tony Roper, Chair of SEIT, said:

“SEIT’s operational performance was generally in line with expectations in the year, with the portfolio delivering its targeted distributions to fully cover the dividends for our shareholders.

“While dividends have increased and operational performance has improved, we, like many of our peers, remain frustrated that our share price has drifted down and our shares continue to trade at a material discount to NAV per share. The status quo is clearly unsustainable.  With this in mind, we have announced today that the Board are considering all strategic options to deliver value for all shareholders in an effective and efficient manner.”

Jonathan Maxwell, CEO of SDCL, the Investment Manager said: 

“SEIT’s large and diversified portfolio demonstrated resilience amidst global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The portfolio delivered growing operational performance, in line with expectations, to fully cover dividends, despite significant CapEx during the year. Thanks to recently agreed portfolio-level debt financing facilities, the focus going forward should be less on investing and more on delivering increased operational performance.

“Structural trends such as persistently high energy prices and increasingly unstable grids reinforced the value proposition of SEIT’s decentralised energy efficiency assets during the year. Expected growth in US industry and data centre construction globally should represent operational tailwinds moving forward.

“Current market dynamics continue to significantly impact share prices across the infrastructure and renewable energy investment trust sector, and SEIT has been no exception. We have intensified efforts to position SEIT’s assets for NAV growth, and the Company’s balance sheet has been optimised. We are also progressing opportunities across the portfolio to release liquidity, reduce gearing and recycle capital, as we to seek to protect and crystallise shareholder value.”