In the largest acquisition of a global energy utility by an Indian company, GMR Infrastructure [Get Quote] has bought 50 per cent in the Netherlands-based power generation company, InterGen NV for $1.1 billion (approximately Rs 4,694 crore).

InterGen, which operates 12 power plants in England, Mexico, the Netherlands and Australia, has 8,086 MW of operational capacity and about 5,000 Mw of assets under development. The company had a turnover of $1.65 billion with profits of $613 million for the year ended December 2007. It employs about 700 people at various locations.

Bangalore-headquartered GMR has interests in airports, energy, highways and urban infrastructure. GMR bought 50 per cent in InterGen from AIG Highstar, a private equity group. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (Teachers), the largest single-profession pension plan in Canada, holds the balance 50 per cent equity stake in InterGen. The deal will be closed before December.

"We will fund the acquisition through a special purpose vehicle which will get a bridge loan of $1.1 billion with two-year maturity from a consortium of five Indian banks," said Ashutosh Agarwala, chief financial officer, GMR.

The acquisition will help GMR get access to the super-critical technology of InterGen's Australian operations and will help it qualify for the ultra mega power projects coming up in India, said company officials.