Independent expert Grant Samuel isn’t going to blow up Origin Energy’s $18.7 billion takeover, but its report should finally set the framework for a proper discussion about whether Brookfield and its fellow bidders are trying to buy Origin on the cheap.
That independent expert report is in. The fact that Origin plans to release its scheme booklet and the report this week tells you that Grant Samuel is not getting in the way of the year’s biggest all-cash M&A deal. It clearly has great expectations for Origin. And why not? The Canadian is the “global clean energy supermajor” benefiting from generative AI, inflation, higher power prices and access to funding, as it told shareholders. Origin is Australia’s No. 1 energy transition investment target.