International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised on the acquisition of Bord Gais Energy, the vertically integrated Irish energy business from Bord Gais Eireann, the state owned energy business, by a consortium of Centrica, Brookfield Renewable and iCON Infrastructure. The deal has an enterprise value of €1.1bn (£920m). The transaction should be completed in the first half of 2014.

The Freshfields team, led by corporate partner Claire Wills and senior associate Emma Jarvis, acted for iCON Infrastructure, which acquired firmus energy, a gas distribution and supply business based in Northern Ireland.

Finance partner Alex Mitchell advised on the credit facility. Partner Peter Clements provided tax advice, and counsel Dan Burton led on the regulatory advice.

‘Following on from our work for iCON infrastructure on the sale of Sutton and East Surrey Water last year, this deal reinforces our experience in advising clients in highly regulated sectors,’ said Claire Wills.

Commenting on the deal, Paul Malan, Senior Partner of iCON infrastructure, said ‘The guidance and judgement that the Freshfields team exhibited throughout this complex transaction was critical to securing the firmus energy investment.’