- Transaction values 1.4 GW of solar and distributed generation assets at $1.25 billion, with TotalEnergies receiving $950 million.
- Partnership with KKR extends TotalEnergies’ integrated power strategy in the U.S. deregulated electricity market.
- Deal reflects the oil major’s model of divesting up to half its renewable assets post-commissioning to optimize returns and manage risk.
A Strategic Carve-Out in Solar
TotalEnergies has sold a 50% stake in a 1.4 gigawatt (GW) solar portfolio across the United States to insurance vehicles and funds managed by KKR, valuing the portfolio at $1.25 billion. The French energy major expects $950 million in proceeds at closing, including a refinancing package currently being finalized.
The portfolio comprises six utility-scale solar farms totaling 1.3 GW and 41 distributed generation projects delivering 140 megawatts (MW). All projects are either contracted through power purchase agreements or will be commercialized by TotalEnergies, ensuring cash-flow visibility.
Partnership With KKR
TotalEnergies will retain a 50% operating stake and continue to manage the assets. The transaction cements a new joint venture with KKR, which has invested more than $23 billion in energy transition projects worldwide through its infrastructure platform.
“North America’s deregulated electricity markets are a priority for expanding our integrated business model,” said Stéphane Michel, President of Gas, Renewables & Power at TotalEnergies. He added that the deal reflects the company’s approach of monetizing newly commissioned, de-risked assets while strengthening returns in its Integrated Power unit.
KKR framed the acquisition as a move into high-quality solar projects with long-term offtake agreements. “We are thrilled to partner with TotalEnergies, a global leader in renewables,” said Cecilio Velasco, Managing Director at KKR. “This portfolio is an excellent fit with our infrastructure strategy and long-term focus on clean energy.”
Business Model: Recycling Capital for Growth
The sale aligns with TotalEnergies’ practice of divesting up to half its renewable assets once they reach commercial operation. By recycling capital, the company balances growth with its profitability target of 12% for its Integrated Power business, which combines renewables with flexible generation such as gas-fired plants and battery storage.
This approach allows TotalEnergies to expand its clean energy footprint without over-exposing its balance sheet to construction and market risks. Investors note the model resembles the company’s strategy in upstream oil and gas, where partial farm-outs of projects have long been used to share risk and accelerate returns.
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Implications for U.S. and Global Markets
The United States is emerging as one of TotalEnergies’ fastest-growing renewable energy markets, benefiting from federal tax credits and state-level demand for clean electricity. By retaining operatorship while partnering with deep-pocketed investors, the company secures scale and financial flexibility in a competitive landscape that includes European peers, U.S. utilities, and independent power producers.
For KKR, the deal strengthens its renewable portfolio at a time when infrastructure funds are under pressure to demonstrate climate alignment. The long-term contracted nature of the assets provides stable returns, while the partnership offers exposure to a global player with proven development capabilities.
What Investors and Executives Should Note
- Capital efficiency: TotalEnergies’ asset-rotation strategy highlights how oil majors are financing renewables growth while maintaining disciplined returns.
- Market positioning: The U.S. remains a magnet for global capital, with deregulated power markets offering opportunities for integrated models combining generation and trading.
- Policy linkage: Federal incentives, including those from the Inflation Reduction Act, continue to attract foreign strategic investors, deepening transatlantic financing ties in the energy transition.
Looking Ahead
TotalEnergies is building a diversified clean power portfolio spanning solar, onshore and offshore wind, and flexible assets to deliver firm renewable supply. Deals such as the KKR partnership suggest the company will continue to pair asset monetization with operational control, positioning itself as both developer and long-term power provider.
As competition intensifies and capital costs rise, the transaction illustrates how global energy firms and private equity are structuring alliances to scale renewables while meeting profitability and climate goals. For policymakers and investors, it underlines the role of hybrid models—part ownership, part divestment—in mobilizing the vast sums required for the energy transition.
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