Filed by ReNew Energy Global Limited
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: RMG Acquisition Corporation II
Commission File No. 001-39776
‘Need clarity on direct listing overseas’
The Times of India
March 29, 2021
ReNew Power is the first major Indian company to opt for the Special Purpose Acquisition Company or SPAC route to list on Nasdaq, valuing the entity at $4.4 billion. In an interview, ReNew Power CMD Sumant Sinha explains the rationale and regulatory challenges. Excerpts:
When did you think of SPAC?
For a couple of months, we have been talking to a few SPACs. It was a new concept. So, it took us time to understand it and warm up to it. Only early this year we started work on the one that we finally ended up doing.
Did you consider a direct listing?
We did. For us, the big consideration was that we wanted to be listed. We wanted to raise some primary capital. We wanted to give an exit to our shareholders and have a liquid currency through the stock market. The SPAC is just another way to get there. There hasn’t been an Indian listing in the US for a very long time. The India renewable story was well received. The India growth story was well received.
How is this different from a direct listing that the government is talking about?
A direct listing allows you as an Indian company, as an Indian domiciled company to list on an overseas exchange. Some fundamental things still have to be clarified. The tax implications of how things will work for foreign and Indian investors are still being worked through. For example, it was recently clarified by Sebi that you had to follow the listing jurisdiction or the norms of the jurisdiction where you have listed. Before the clarification it was not clear whether you had to follow Indian listing requirements also. The second difference is that you can’t do a SPAC transaction if you’re an Indian domiciled company because then Indian tax rules are also applicable.
For a company like yours, what is a bigger risk, change of technology or regulation and the problems in states?
Obviously, policy and regulatory risk is always an issue. This risk is not so much at the central government level. The issue really is at the state level where things are also driven by populist considerations. That does cause problems, and delayed payments is a very clear example of that. We have been living through that for many years now and have learned to manage with such issues. But that increases the risk premium in the sector. Ultimately, we have to charge higher tariffs, which has to be paid by the consumer. I wish people recognise and realise that in the long-term, it’s in the interest of consumers that discoms are healthy and perform efficiently. Technology is evolving very rapidly in our space, and it requires us to always be on our toes.
How much of your equipment reliance is on China?
Wind turbines are entirely made in India. In solar panels and solar modules, you should assume that almost 80-90% of the industry relies on Chinese imports.
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Forward Looking Statements
This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed transaction between ReNew Power Private Limited (“ReNew”), ReNew Energy Global Limited (“PubCo”) and RMG Acquisition Corporation II (“RMG II”), including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction, the services offered by ReNew and the markets in which it operates, and ReNew’s projected future results. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of RMG II’s securities, (ii) the risk that the transaction may not be completed by RMG II’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by RMG II, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the adoption of the agreement and plan of merger by the shareholders of RMG II and ReNew, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following redemptions by RMG II’s public shareholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) the lack of a third party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed transaction, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the agreement and plan of merger, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on ReNew’s business relationships, performance, and business generally, (vii) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans of ReNew or diverts management’s attention from ReNew’s ongoing business operations and potential difficulties in ReNew employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction, (viii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against ReNew, RMG II or their respective directors or officers related to the agreement and plan of merger or the proposed transaction, (ix) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the proposed transaction, (x) the ability to maintain the listing of RMG II’s securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, (xi) the price of RMG II’s securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which ReNew plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting ReNew’s business and changes in the combined capital structure, (xii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities, including the conversion of pre-orders into binding orders, (xiii) the ability of RMG II to issue equity or equity-linked securities in connection with the transaction or in the future, (xiv) the risk of downturns in the renewable energy industry and (xv) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on any of the foregoing. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of PubCo’s registration statement on Form F-4, the proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus discussed below, RMG II’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by PubCo or RMG II from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and PubCo and RMG II assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither ReNew nor RMG II gives any assurance that either ReNew or RMG II will achieve its expectations. The inclusion of any statement in this communication does not constitute an admission by ReNew or RMG II or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.
Important Information and Where to Find It
This document relates to a proposed transaction between ReNew and RMG II. This document does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. PubCo intends to file a registration statement on Form F-4 that will include a proxy statement of RMG II, a consent solicitation statement of PubCo and a prospectus of PubCo. The proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus will be sent to all RMG II and PubCo shareholders. RMG II also will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of RMG II and PubCo are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by RMG II through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by RMG II may be obtained free of charge from RMG II’s website at www.rmgacquisition.com or by written request to RMG II at RMG Acquisition Corporation II, 50 West Street, Suite 40C, New York, New York 10006.
Participants in the Solicitation
RMG II, PubCo and ReNew and their respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from RMG II’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about RMG II’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of RMG II’s securities is set forth in RMG II’s filings with the SEC, including RMG II’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on January 25, 2021. To the extent that holdings of RMG II’s securities have changed since the amounts printed in RMG II’s proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those persons and other persons who may be deemed participants in the proposed transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication shall neither constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.