MADRID, December 4 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The purchase offer for 19.1 billion Australian dollars (11.687 million euros) made by the Canadian fund Brookfield Asset Management and the GIE Global Energy Partners was rejected by the shareholders of Origin Energy, given that only 69% of the latter’s share capital has given its agreement, while 75% was needed to carry out the operation.

The outcome was precipitated when pension fund AustralianSuper, which controls 17% of the company, objected to the terms of the acquisition, saying they fell far short of Origin’s potential value.

“The current and future value of Origin is better in the hands of partners and other shareholders than in those of a private equity consortium seeking a quick return,” AustralianSuper said in a statement echoing the “significant reserves ” from the Origin board of directors. regarding the operation.

Subsequently, the pension fund published a new press release “celebrating the shareholders’ decision” as being “beneficial for the energy transition”.

In this way, the Australian energy company dedicated to the exploration and production of oil and gas, as well as the deployment of renewable energy, will continue “to focus on achieving its strategic priorities, accelerating investments in clean energy and storage, in addition to deepening its ambition to lead the energy transition”, according to its president, Scott Perkins.

For its part, Brookfield indicated that it would “consider its next steps, if any, regarding Origin”. The consortium formed by the Canadian fund and the GIE announced that it would put 12.3 billion Australian dollars (7.526 million euros) on the table to acquire the electricity production and retail unit of Origin if the takeover fails, although this option was ruled out last week. by Australian management.