Background

The SEA (Sud Europe Atlantique) forms part (>300-km) of the 584-km Paris-Bordeaux high-speed line and runs in parallel with the existing congested inter-urban rail line linking Tours to Poitiers, Angoulême and Bordeaux)(1). The high-speed rail line provides a c. two-hour journey time for passengers between Paris and Bordeaux, making it faster door-to-door than air travel. Approximately 60 million passengers travelled on the SEA corridor between 2017 and 2021.
In 2011, Meridiam acquired SOJAS, which held at the time 22.34% of the shares in LISEA (the Project Company). Following the acquisition of an additional 2.01% (sold by Ardian) in October 2018, Meridiam (along with Meridiam managed co-investments) owns 24.35% of the shares in LISEA.

Stage:

In Operation

ESG/SDG Key Facts

The €905 million bonds issued were granted the Green Bonds label by Vigeo Eiris (global leader in ESG research).
LISEA launched three foundations that have subsidised more than 315 projects (i) LISEA “Biodiversity” foundation to support projects for the preservation and restoration of natural resources (ii) LISEA “Carbon” foundation to support the financing of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (iii) LISEA “Sillon Solidaire” foundation to fight social exclusion and foster the professional insertion of people in difficulties.
In 2020, LISEA merged its Biodiversity and Carbon foundation into one single entity, the “Fonds SEA pour la transition des territoires” (SEA Fund for the Regional Transition). The Fund provides financial support (c. €500k/year) to ecological transition projects. The first initiative in 2021 received 28 applications of projects aiming to promote local and sustainable agriculture, leading to seven partnerships with the foundation. In Q4 2022, a new call for projects on sustainable buildings and circular economy was launched, and 10 projects were selected. In May 2023 the Funds launched a new call for projects supporting local and sustainable agriculture, with 800k€ subsidies to be awarded in November 2023.

Learn more about the project:

Green bonds to refinance the Paris-Bordeaux high-speed railway line

South Europe Atlantic High Speed Line

South Europe Atlantic High Speed Line Heat Exchangers

TGV High Speed Trains carry its first commercial passengers between Bordeaux and Paris