Canadian asset manager Brookfield is in exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in French energy firm Neoen.

The deal values the French renewable energy developer at around EUR 6.1bn.

According to a statement from Brookgield, the asset manager is negotiating to buy a 53.3% stake at EUR 39.85 per share, reports Bloomberg News, which provided rumors of the acquisition earlier this morning.

The price for Neoen represents a 26.9% premium to Wednesday’s closing price of EUR 31.40.

Brookfield, along with Brookfield Renewable Partners and Singapore’s Temasek, plans to buy the 42% owned by French billionaire Jacques Veurat’s Impala holding company, with stakes from other Neoen shareholders also in play.

Once the share purchase is completed, Brookfield intends to make a cash offer for the remainder of Neoen at the same price and delist the company.

Founded in 2008, Neoen has grown to become one of the largest independent renewable energy producers in wind, solar and other sectors with 8 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in operation or under construction. The company has previously placed orders with Vestas, among others.

Brookfield has nearly 34 gigawatts of renewable energy generation capacity with a pipeline of 157 gigawatts.

English edit by Kristoffer Grønbæk