Masdar pulls the plug on going private with ReNew

Core Viewpoint - Masdar, a state-owned company and West Asia's largest renewable energy firm, has withdrawn from a consortium that aimed to take ReNew Energy Global private, leading to a significant drop in ReNew's stock price and ending the proposed transaction [1][2][4]. Company Developments - The consortium revised its offer to $8.15 per share, a 15.3% increase from the initial bid of $7.07 per share made in December 2024, valuing ReNew at $2.8 billion as of the end of October [1][7]. - Following Masdar's exit, ReNew's market capitalization fell to $2.02 billion, reflecting a loss of over 30% since its listing in 2021 [2][1]. - ReNew's shares have consistently traded below their peak of approximately $12 in February 2021, indicating a potential opportunity for share buybacks as the Indian market is expected to grow [6][5]. Financial Position - ReNew has cash and cash equivalents amounting to $1 billion, with no immediate need to raise capital, according to the company's CFO [5]. - The proposed acquisition would have resulted in an $896 million payout to ReNew's shareholders, highlighting the perceived growth potential of the company [7]. Strategic Plans - ReNew's portfolio includes approximately 18.5 GW of clean energy projects, with ongoing construction of solar module and cell manufacturing facilities [10][16]. - The company plans to invest Rs 82,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on high technology areas such as solar ingot and wafer manufacturing, as well as green hydrogen projects [11][16]. Market Context - The withdrawal of Masdar coincides with a broader geopolitical shift among Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which are increasingly investing in the US and artificial intelligence sectors [13][16]. - Analysts suggest that Masdar's decision may have been influenced by prolonged negotiations and the insistence of ReNew's management on retaining significant management rights [8][4].